Injectable Nutrient Clinic
Professional Integrative Medicine includes Adelaide’s longest continuously running injectable nutrients clinic.
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At PIM your treatment is determined by a doctor based on your individual medical needs. Our clinic offers support to patients with a wide variety of healthcare needs.
Our clinic has expanded and we are now able to see most patients receive their first treatment within a few days.
What are Injectable Nutrient Therapies?
The vitamins and minerals are introduced into the bloodstream, bypassing the stomach and intestines, ensuring much higher blood concentrations than can be achieved orally.
Vitamin C infusions are generally safe and well-tolerated, even at high doses. Monitoring is achieved through a combination of blood tests and clinical reviews, as appropriate for individual patient needs.
Side effects may include pain, bruising or swelling at the needle site, thirst and diuresis.
Some patients experience benefits after a few doses, whereas others may require longer courses, eg weekly.
Most Injectable Nutrient Therapy treatments take 1-2 hours, depending on the dose given and other factors.
Our clinic provides a supporting and comforting environment for patients with all types of medical conditions.
Intravenous vitamin therapy involves giving large dosages of the nutrients to patients either through a drip or injection.
Injectable Nutrient Therapies are tailored to suit the diagnosed medical needs of individual patients.
Injectable Nutrient Therapies are of particular value for patients with significant nutrient deficiencies requiring rapid correction, and those who have impaired nutrient absorption.
While injectable nutrients are not a replacement for a balanced diet, deficiency states can exist in certain disease processes despite adequate dietary intake, due to multi factors including poor absorption, or increased metabolic demand.
Injectable Nutrient Therapy (including intravenous vitamins and minerals) may be a supportive therapeutic strategy in select patients, as determined following a careful review of their medical history, medications, allergies, test results, and following discussion on various treatment options.
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Why Choose PIM?
Our therapeutic programs are tailored to suit each individual according to their specific needs, which may change over time.
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Our trained practitioners are familiar with all aspects of injectable nutrient therapy and are happy to answer any questions you might have.
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We welcome patient feedback to provide the best possible care.
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Patients are fully informed of the doses of any nutrients they receive, which vary according to individual needs.
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All our injectable nutrients are manufactured in Australia under “GMP” (Good Manufacturing Practice guidelines) to ensure batch stability and auditing capability and meet the strictest safety requirements in Australia.
This is not the case with all IV nutrient providers – if a patient does have a problem following treatment with non-GMP-certified nutrients, they may not be covered by the practitioner’s indemnity.
Intravenous Iron
Iron – an essential nutrient
Our bodies use iron to make haemoglobin, a compound in our red blood cells that transports oxygen to our cells. Iron helps with muscle strength, liver enzyme function, mental function, and overall energy levels.
Iron cannot be produced by the body and must be obtained from our food.
If your iron level gets too low, you may feel fatigue and struggle to achieve normal tasks.
Iron deficiency occurs when iron levels drop to the point that normal bodily functions cannot be maintained.
Who needs injectable iron?
For many patients experiencing iron deficiency, an oral iron supplement in tablet or liquid form is sufficient.
For some patients, oral supplementation is not effective. In these cases iron may be delivered intravenously.
Intravenous iron may be prescribed if the patient is unable to take the tablet or liquid or are unable to absorb the iron in this way. Patients with chronic kidney disease or chronic heart failure may also require IV iron. Other cases where IV iron can be beneficial include patients who need a rapid increase in iron levels, such as those about to undergo surgery, or to avoid a blood transfusion.
Intravenous iron is not suitable for some patients. Examples of patients who should not receive IV iron at Professional Integrative Medicine include the following categories:
• Pregnancy
• Aged under 14
• Have a known allergy or sensitivity to ferric carboxymaltose
• Undergoing dialysis
• Have high iron levels or haemochromatosis
• Have anaemia that is not iron-deficiency related
• Have a fever or sepsis
Before you have intravenous iron therapy you should tell us if you fit into the above categories, as well as the following:
• You are trying to get pregnant or if there is a possibility you may be pregnant
• You have a history of eczema, asthma or allergies
• Have had a reaction to any type of iron infusion in the past
• Have any history of liver problems
• Are on any other medications – this includes over-the-counter and natural remedies
• Are currently suffering from an infection of any kind
• Have recently been unwell
How much iron do you need?
The amount of iron needed varies from patient to patient. The dose is calculated to return your iron levels to optimal, based upon a variety of factors including patient weight and the degree of deficiency.
In some cases, a single infusion is given that is sufficient to restore iron levels in one treatment.
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Receiving intravenous iron therapy
Prior to any treatment, you will undergo a consultation with our clinical staff. Your medical history and current condition will be discussed, and if appropriate a prescription for intravenous iron may be given. The risks and benefits of the procedure will be covered, and you will have an opportunity to ask questions.
The infusion itself will be given over the course of 15-30 minutes by one of the clinic’s nurses. You must give consent for the procedure and will be monitored during the infusion and for some time afterwards.
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Risks, benefits and side effects
Before any treatment commences, we will discuss the risks and benefits of intravenous iron therapy for you. Intravenous iron will be prescribed if the benefits outweigh the risks in your case.
The most significant risk of this treatment is an allergic reaction. This is uncommon, and in very rare instances can be life-threatening. For this reason, patients are advised to remain at the clinic for observation for 30 minutes following the infusion.
In rare case, skin staining may occur around the site of the injection, caused by leakage of the iron into surrounding tissues. This staining may last a long time or even be permanent.
Side effects from IV iron are generally mild and temporary. They include headache, nausea/vomiting, muscle or joint pain, a metallic taste on the tongue and changes in blood pressure or pulse.
Minor side effects may be noticed a day or so after the treatment. These generally settle by themselves after a day or two. You should contact us if they persist or restrict your daily life.
If you experience breathing difficulties, chest pain, dizziness, or swelling around the neck or mouth, you should seek urgent medical attention. Dial 000 to call an ambulance.
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