Iron deficiency is treated with oral iron tablets first in most cases, and an iron infusion is considered when tablets cause side effects, are not absorbed, have not raised iron levels after a fair trial, or when iron needs to be restored quickly before surgery or late in pregnancy. Diagnosis needs a blood test showing low ferritin, and often a low haemoglobin, and your GP will also look for the cause: heavy periods, pregnancy, a low-iron diet, or reduced absorption from a bowel condition. At East Hills Medical Centre an infusion takes about an hour in the practice and costs $217 with a Medicare rebate of $87.10, leaving $129.90 out of pocket. You need a consultation first so the doctor can confirm the diagnosis and check the infusion is safe for you. Iron stores rise over several weeks and are rechecked with a blood test.
Why iron matters
Iron is needed to make haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen. When stores run low you may feel tired, short of breath on stairs, light-headed, or notice hair loss, brittle nails, restless legs or a craving for ice. Many people have no symptoms and the deficiency turns up on a routine blood test.
How it is diagnosed
A blood test measures ferritin (your iron store), haemoglobin and sometimes transferrin saturation. Ferritin can be falsely normal during infection or inflammation, so your doctor reads the result in context. Finding the cause is as important as treating the level: heavy periods, pregnancy, vegetarian or vegan diets, coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease, weight-loss surgery, regular blood donation, and, in older adults, bleeding from the bowel that needs investigation.
Tablets first
Australian guidelines recommend oral iron as first-line treatment. Modern advice is to take a tablet every second day rather than daily, which improves absorption and reduces nausea and constipation. Taking it with vitamin C and away from tea, coffee, calcium and antacids helps. Expect three to six months to rebuild stores.
When an infusion is considered
- Tablets cause side effects you cannot tolerate
- Iron is not absorbed, for example after bariatric surgery or with coeliac disease
- Levels have not improved after a proper trial of tablets
- Iron is needed quickly, such as before surgery or in the second or third trimester of pregnancy
- Ongoing losses outpace what tablets can replace
What happens at the practice
After a consultation confirming the deficiency, the infusion is booked in the treatment room. A cannula is placed, the iron preparation runs over about 15 to 20 minutes, and you are observed for 30 minutes. Most people return to normal activities the same day. Side effects are usually mild: headache, flushing or nausea. Skin staining can occur if iron leaks from the vein, so tell staff immediately if the site stings. Serious reactions are rare and the practice is equipped for them.
Cost
Iron infusions are privately billed: $217 total, $87.10 Medicare rebate, $129.90 out of pocket. New patients seen by Dr Siddiqi pay $222. See the iron infusion service page and the fees page.
This guide is general information and does not replace a consultation. Fees and processes are the practice's own and are current at the published date.