Has anyone had iron give intravenously? My hematologist said if my iron levels don't come up in the next three weeks that I will have to have in intravenously. I was wondering how long each session took? Also, are there any side effects to it?
I have alpha thalessemia and have had the iron infusion before which is given intravenously. It was a long process. It took me about 3-4 hours and I had no side effects at all. I will have to go and have it done whenever my hemoglobin goes down again. It has lasted me about 2 years now. I hope this helps.
Thanks for the reply! How low does your hemoglobin have to be before they will do it? Mine is at a 10 which is low but it doesn't look that bad. I know my iron is only a 3. I am craming the iron pills down my throat praying I don't have to have the infusions. I've read that some people feel better immediatly. That would be nice but I don't think worth the risk.
When I had mine done, my hemoglobin was 8.3. With my anemia, my body doesn't absorb iron. It's like my gas tank. I will eventually run out of gas so I just keep going til my hemoglobin gets down again and then go fuel up. I haven't had any side effects. It was just a long doctor appt to get it done. Good luck!
I am glad someone asked about iron infusion. My ferritin level is so low it no longer registers (it was 1.0 in Jan. and now it just says "less than 5.") Iron pills have not helped. I have had 2 blood transfusions in the past two years due to "bleeding angiodysplasias." I guess my gastro will refer to me to a hematologist when I see him. My hemoglobin is slowly going down again--its' about a 9. I'm wondering if there are any major health risks due to long-term iron deficiency????????????
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