Receiving an Iron Infusion on SDEC

View or download this resource as a PDF

This information is for patients who have been advised they need to have an iron infusion, and is intended to help explain why you need an infusion and what to expect.

What is iron deficiency anaemia?

Anaemia is a condition caused by a lack of red blood cells or haemoglobin (Hb). There are different reasons someone may become anaemic, one of the causes can be a lack of iron.

Haemoglobin is a protein found in red blood cells. It carries oxygen around the body. If there is not enough iron in the body, haemoglobin will fall and therefore less oxygen is carried around the body.

Common symptoms include:

Shortness of breath
Fatigue (tiredness)
Headaches and dizziness
Rapid heart rate

How do we treat low iron levels in the blood?

To treat low iron levels in the blood, some people may be able to take iron orally in tablet or liquid form. However, if low iron levels are causing any of the above symptoms, an iron infusion may be prescribed as this is a highly effective method to replenish your body’s stores of iron quickly. Intravenous iron allows a much larger dose to be given than iron in a tablet (the dose is based on weight).

Benefits of iron transfusion:

If you have been taking iron tablets but this has not increased your iron stores to a more normal level, or if you have newly diagnosed anaemia with associated symptoms, an iron transfusion will increase your blood iron level immediately. This should improve any symptoms you were experiencing such as feeling tired, having low energy, or feeling breathless.

What are the alternatives?

Oral tablets can be an alternative to an iron infusion to treat iron deficiency anaemia however sometimes they do not produce enough of an improvement or may not be tolerated or absorbed. Oral iron tablets do not replenish iron quickly, so if you are experiencing symptoms, iron infusions can help with these quickly. If iron levels are very low, sometimes a blood transfusion is required as well.

There are some circumstances when iron infusions are not advised such as:

Occasions iron infusions are not advised:

Allergies or sensitivities to iron preparations intended for infusions.

Some acute conditions

Known liver damage

Early pregnancy

How is the iron infusion administered?

You will already have had blood tests done which have shown you have iron deficiency anaemia. A cannula (small tube into a vein) may have been inserted at the time you had your blood test taken, but if not, this will be done once it has been confirmed by the medical team that you need to have an iron infusion. If you haven’t been weighed already, this will be done so the correct dose of iron can be prescribed and made up specially for you.

The iron is given using an infusion pump straight into your vein via the cannula.

Before the infusion is started, the nurse will check that the cannula is sitting correctly in the vein by putting a “flush” (approximately 10mls of saline) into the cannula. This will feel cold and it is normal to feel the sensation of the fluid entering the vein but it shouldn’t be painful. Please tell the nurse if you experience pain as this may mean the cannula needs to be replaced. Once the infusion is attached, it will take approximately 15-20 minutes to complete.

Most iron infusions are given without any problem, but occasionally, side effects can be experienced.

Potential side effects of iron infusion:

Metallic taste in your mouth

Feeling sick, light headed or dizzy

Stinging/burning feeling at the infusion site

Very rarely patients can suffer severe anaphylactic reactions such as swollen lips, tightness in the chest and difficulty breathing

The nursing staff will be keeping a close eye on you while you have the infusion but it is important that you alert staff if you think you are experiencing any of the symptoms above or feel unwell in any way.

Extravasation (leaking of iron solution into surrounding tissue)

Extravasation is a medical term which is used when fluid or medication is administered through a cannula inserted into a vein and the solution leaks out of the veins and into the surrounding tissue. There is a small risk of extravasation when any medication or fluids are given intravenously. If this does happen, in most cases the fluid is absorbed into the surrounding tissue with no lasting harm or effects. However, if this happens when iron is administered, due to the colour/high level of pigmentation, skin in the localised area can become stained. Unfortunately, this is not easy to treat and although it may fade over months/years, it is likely that the staining will not resolve completely.

After your infusion has been completed:

You may be discharged home with a prescription for oral iron tablets to continue to increase your blood iron levels. In some cases, the cause for your anaemia may need to be investigated further. If this is the case, the doctors will make sure there is a plan in place for any further tests needed such as scans, scopes (camera tests), further blood tests or onward referral to a different department or specialty.

If symptoms of a reaction develop after you have been discharged, please ring 111 as this may be a delayed reaction to the iron transfusion and may require intervention.