Iron Infusion FAQ — Your Questions Answered

An iron infusion is a treatment where iron is delivered directly into your bloodstream through a small drip in your arm. It bypasses your digestive system entirely, which means no nausea or constipation — and it works much faster than tablets. The whole process is supervised by a trained medical professional.

The infusion itself takes approximately 30 minutes. After that, you'll be monitored for a further 30 minutes to make sure you're feeling well. Most patients are in and out of the clinic within an hour.

You'll feel a small scratch when the cannula (a tiny plastic tube) is placed in your arm — similar to a blood test. Once the drip is running, most patients don't feel any discomfort at all. Many read, scroll their phones, or simply relax during the infusion.

Most people feel nothing unusual during the infusion itself. Some patients notice a slight cool sensation in the arm as the iron solution enters the vein. You'll be seated comfortably throughout and can bring a book, headphones, or your phone.

A single iron infusion can deliver up to 1000mg of iron — the equivalent of what would take over five months of daily oral supplements. The exact dose is calculated by Dr Ros based on your blood results and clinical needs.

We use ferric carboxymaltose, a NICE-recommended IV iron that has been used extensively across NHS hospitals and private clinics throughout the UK. It allows a high dose to be delivered safely in a single sitting with a well-established safety profile.

Iron tablets are absorbed through your gut, which is slow and often causes side effects like constipation, nausea, and stomach cramps. Many people can't tolerate them or don't absorb them properly. An iron infusion delivers iron directly into your bloodstream — faster, more effective, and without the digestive side effects.

Yes. IV iron is a NICE-recommended treatment that has been administered thousands of times across NHS hospitals and private clinics in the UK. At IronOx Clinic, every infusion is supervised by a trained medical professional with full monitoring throughout and anaphylaxis protocols in place as standard.

Headache, nausea, flushing or dizziness can occur and are usually short-lived. If iron leaks outside the vein, it can leave a brown skin stain that may be long-lasting or permanent. Ferric carboxymaltose can also lower blood phosphate, particularly with repeated high doses. Dr Ros will discuss the risks relevant to you before treatment; see our dedicated iron infusion risks page for more detail.

Serious allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, are rare. The Ferinject product information classifies anaphylaxis as occurring in at least 1 in 10,000 but fewer than 1 in 1,000 people; that is a medicine-wide estimate, not an IronOx-specific rate. We monitor you during the infusion and for at least 30 minutes afterwards, with trained staff and emergency equipment available. Tell us about any previous reactions or allergies before treatment.

Yes. Most patients are able to drive themselves home after the 30-minute monitoring period. Serious reactions are extremely rare. If you'd prefer to have someone with you for your first visit, that's absolutely fine too.

If you feel unwell during the infusion, let the clinical team know immediately — you'll be monitored throughout. If you experience any symptoms after leaving the clinic, you can contact us directly. We provide aftercare guidance and our contact details so you're never left without support.

Our iron infusion is an all-inclusive package with no hidden fees. The price covers everything — specialist consultation, clinical assessment, the infusion itself (up to 1000mg), 30 minutes of post-infusion monitoring, and a GP report. Visit our pricing page for the full breakdown.

Everything you need in a single visit: a specialist consultation with Dr Ros, clinical assessment and treatment planning, the iron infusion (up to 1000mg), 30 minutes of post-infusion monitoring, a GP report sent within 24 hours, and follow-up guidance. There are no additional charges.

We accept all major debit and credit cards. Payment is taken at the time of your appointment. If you have any questions about payment, get in touch before your visit.

We are not currently a direct provider for health insurance companies. However, some insurers may reimburse the cost of private iron infusion therapy — we recommend checking with your provider before booking. We can provide a detailed receipt for your claim.