Treating Anemia with Iron Infusions
Anemia is a common blood disorder that affects nearly 1 in 4 people worldwide and over 3 million people in the United States. There are over 400 types of anemia, so receiving the correct diagnosis and treatment for anemia is critical to maintain your health and quality of life.
For many people, treating anemia with iron infusions can raise the red blood cell count or hemoglobin levels, improving symptoms. The team at Personalized Hematology-Oncology are experts in treating anemia and can determine if iron infusions are right for you.
What is anemia?
According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, anemia is the most common blood disorder. This condition occurs when the body does not make enough red blood cells, or destroys or loses too many red blood cells.
Red blood cells contain hemoglobin, an iron-rich protein that attaches to oxygen in the lungs. Hemoglobin enables red blood cells to carry oxygen to the rest of the body and holds about two-thirds of the body’s iron stores. If a person’s iron levels are too low, they cannot make red blood cells. When someone does not have enough red blood cells, their body’s cells and tissues do not get the needed amount of oxygen.
Anemia can also happen with blood loss. When a person loses blood, the body draws water from surrounding tissues to keep the blood vessels full. This dilutes the blood and reduces the red blood count.
What are the symptoms of anemia?
Anemia is diagnosed through a simple blood test. The doctor will check for the percentage of red blood cells in the blood, the size and coloring of the red blood cells, hemoglobin levels, as well as for levels of proteins that store iron.
People can easily dismiss symptoms without realizing they have anemia. The condition can present as a range of symptoms, such as:
- Fatigue or lack of energy
- Paleness or yellowish skin
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Weakness
- Headaches
- Cold hands and feet
- Increased thirst
- Sweating
- Lower leg cramps
- Bone pain
- Heart problems like irregular rhythms, murmurs, an enlarged heart or heart failure
People with anemia may experience cold temperatures more significantly than other people as well and find it difficult to stay warm.
Who is at risk of developing anemia?
There are many ways one could develop anemia, ranging from as a side effect of a medication or as a secondary result of another health condition. The blood disorder frequently affects people who are over the age of 65, those who are diagnosed with intestinal disorders, and those with increased alcohol consumption.
Outside of these criteria, anemia also commonly presents in people with:
- Chronic medical conditions and autoimmune disorders
- Cancers that destroy red blood cells
- Gastric bypass surgery
- Poor diets
- Difficulty absorbing iron
- Significant blood loss
- Faulty red blood cell production
- Pregnant or menstruating women
People with cold agglutinin disease (CAD) or lymphoma can also have a higher risk of developing anemia due to their low red blood cell count.
MORE ABOUT BLOOD DISORDERS
Types of anemia
With 400 types of anemia, the severity of the disease and symptoms can vary from mild to severe. When being diagnosed, not every symptom will fit every type of anemia.
Types of anemia include iron deficiency anemia, aplastic anemia, sickle cell anemia, thalassemia and vitamin deficiency anemia. Of these types, iron deficiency anemia is the most common. This occurs when there is not enough iron in the body or when the body absorbs iron poorly.
Treating anemia
Following a diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia, there are a variety of treatment options available. Treatment for anemia seeks to raise the red blood cell count or hemoglobin levels, treat the underlying cause of the anemia, prevent complications, and improve quality of life.
Managing lifestyle factors by eating more iron-rich foods and cutting back on alcohol can help. However, these approaches may take a long time and may not be enough for some people. In such cases, doctors may prescribe oral medication or intravenous (IV) iron infusions for treating anemia.
Iron infusions by IV
Obtaining iron through IV infusions is not as common as taking oral supplements. However, if someone has absorption issues or if raising iron levels quickly matters, iron infusions may be the best choice for a patient.
Iron is absorbed more quickly through IV iron infusions than through oral supplements, and adverse reactions are rare. Some studies have also found that IV iron infusions can be both more effective and easier to tolerate than supplements.
When determining which iron therapy is best for you – oral or IV – consider the following factors:
Age – Intravenous iron infusions are more commonly used in adults – particularly in adults with ongoing bleeding or who have had gastric bypass surgery. Gastric bypass surgery often makes it more difficult to absorb iron. Most children and infants are traditionally treated with oral iron supplements, except in rare situations where children are unable to absorb oral iron due to gastrointestinal issues.
Cost – Oral iron is less expensive, and it is readily available over the counter. Iron infusions must be administered in a certified infusion center or hospital. This makes iron infusions more costly, which is something to consider when weighing the benefits.
Absorption – Many people cannot absorb iron when ingested orally, so receiving iron infusions through an IV is the best and sometimes only option for treating anemia.
Side Effects – While oral iron costs less than IV iron infusions, nearly 70% of people taking oral iron report gastrointestinal side effects like nausea, constipation, stomach pain or vomiting. Meanwhile, liquid oral iron has a metallic taste and can stain teeth. Some patients choose not to take oral iron supplements because of these uncomfortable side effects.
IV iron infusions usually have minimal side effects. The most common side effects are swelling, dizziness, gastrointestinal pain, constipation, headache, muscle aches, chest pain or low blood pressure.
Length of Treatment – Oral iron therapy can take months to counteract anemia and even longer to restore iron in the body to normal levels. Conversely, modern iron infusions can restore iron levels within one or two doses and only two months of iron infusions to fix iron deficiency anemia.
Frequency of Blood Loss – People with iron deficiency anemia due to ongoing blood loss often require regular infusions of iron to maintain the iron levels their bodies need.
What happens during an iron infusion treatment?
An iron infusion usually occurs at a certified infusion center or hospital. The doctor performing your infusion therapy will first administer a test dose to ensure there are no adverse reactions.
A healthcare professional will insert a needle into a vein in your hand or arm, and a small tube called a catheter will be connected to the needle. The tube will be attached to an IV bag filled with iron. Once a doctor or nurse removes the needle, the iron will flow through the tube using gravity or a pump.
Iron infusions do not hurt, although you may feel a slight pinch when the IV needle is inserted or light pressure at the insertion site during the infusion.
Iron infusions for treating anemia in the Triangle
Personalized Hematology-Oncology is a certified infusion center serving Raleigh and the surrounding area. Our board-certified hematologist treats many blood disorders, including iron deficiency anemia, using infusions.
While infusion therapy can seem scary at first, our team strives to help patients feel comfortable before, during and after their treatment. To learn more about our practice or to make an appointment, please contact us today.
