Anyone had an iron iv infusion?

[Stillplodding]

Just wondering if anyone has had an iron IV infusion? Can you please tell me how you found it? Both during and the immediate after effects as well as if it made a significant difference for you going forward?

I have had a shitty year to be honest. We had a very unexpected and sudden close bereavement, I have had to take on some caring responsibilities for my surviving parent, I work three long days per week and have the usual responsibilities of having three kids/pets/household etc.

I have been anaemic on and off (mainly on!) since being a teen. I have an underachieve thyroid to boot. All self care dropped off the radar in the aftermath of the bereavement really and I got lax with taking my levothyroxine (tho was taking OTC vitamins/iron). I have really been struggling with extreme exhaustion/depression/aches etc. I am just not coping.

Finally went to GP to try and get back on top of things. the blood results popped up on my ap this week. My TSH levels have shot back up to 12.7, and I am more anaemic than before with ferritin levels of 5 and hb of 110.

I have been asked to see my GP for a medication review, but the next available appointment is in 3 weeks time. Obviously I'll be prescribed oral medication for both issues but previous experience tells me they will take a long time to really kick in and actually start feeling better.

A friend suggested paying privately for an iron infusion. Partly because of the speed it will improve things, but also because of the gastro side effects of iron tablets. I get constipation (and abdominal pain) already due to the thyroid so I am a bit concerned about juggling both- getting enough oral iron in me, whilst trying to limit the abdominal issues.

I know GPs/NHS is reluctant to give infusions, so I could pay to have them privately. I sent my full blood results to a private clinic who confirmed I was profoundly anaemic and no wonder I was feeling horrific, and suggested I book into a consultation but based on the blood results infusion would be a good way of improving my symptoms much more quickly.

I am a bit concerned about the feeling sick/flushed during the treatment, mainly as I feel dizzy/lightheaded/flushed nauseous a lot of the time anyway. Also they said you can feel headache-y and nauseous for a few days afterwards and then you improve. I'm just wondering how bad, as I still have all the same responsibilities and will need to keep going and doing everything.

Thank you

I have had 3 in total without any problem. Took about 10days for my Hb to increase.

I had it done on NHS as was a bit more anaemic than you hb 68 and ferritin 2. I had a blood transfusion first as hb was too low. I didn’t notice any headaches or nausea tbh. There was a point about a week later that I felt really alive like the brain fog had lifted. Anaemia is a symptom of something else though , for me, so it returned. I had another just iron infusion a month later and again no headaches or nausea. Again feeling fab a week or so later but just got a couple of weeks. Now a few months on I feel dreadful again. I did contemplate private but was quoted nearly £700 for one lot or £1k for two infusions. I’d consider it if I knew why I was anaemic or if I thought it’d last longer as it did make a big difference

I did feel a bit funny during my iron infusion but I was 36 weeks pregnant so that could be why - not usually one to have issues with medical procedures.

For reference the 2nd one I had done I scooted out from work for an hour, nobody said I had to rest or anything.