Private Iron Infusion
in Chelsea, London

An iron infusion is a treatment that delivers iron directly into your bloodstream through a drip in your arm. Unlike iron tablets, which are absorbed slowly through the gut, an infusion replenishes your iron stores quickly and completely in a single session.

It is used when oral iron supplements have not worked, are not tolerated, or when iron levels need to be corrected quickly, such as before or after surgery or during pregnancy.

The infusion itself takes between 15 and 30 minutes. After that, we monitor you for a further 30 minutes before you are free to go. Allow approximately 90 minutes in total for your appointment, including the initial consultation with your doctor.

Most patients begin to notice an improvement in energy, concentration and general wellbeing within two to four weeks. The full effect on iron stores is typically seen six to eight weeks after the infusion, confirmed by a repeat blood test.

Some patients notice a difference sooner, particularly with fatigue and breathlessness. Hair loss related to iron deficiency usually improves over a longer period of three to six months.

There is no single universal threshold. The decision depends on your ferritin level, your symptoms, and whether oral iron has been tried. NICE guidelines suggest considering an infusion when ferritin is low alongside significant symptoms, or when tablets have not raised levels adequately.

In practice, many patients with ferritin below 30 micrograms per litre, particularly those with symptoms or poor tolerance of oral iron, are good candidates. Your consultant will review your blood results and advise whether an infusion is the right choice for you.

Common (mild, usually short-lived): Headache, nausea, a metallic taste during the infusion, flushing or a warm sensation, and mild dizziness. These typically resolve within a few hours.

Rare: Hypersensitivity reactions can occur. This is why we monitor you for 30 minutes after the infusion and why the treatment is always carried out in a clinical setting with trained staff.

Skin staining: If iron leaks outside the vein it can cause a brown discolouration of the skin around the injection site. This is rare, but if it occurs it is managed immediately. The discolouration can be permanent, which is why accurate cannula placement and monitoring are important.

IV iron is used in pregnancy when anaemia cannot be corrected quickly enough with oral supplements. At Ovara Health we treat patients from the second trimester onwards. We do not administer iron infusions in the first trimester.

Your consultant will review your blood results, gestational age and overall health before recommending treatment. If you are pregnant and concerned about your iron levels, call us and we will advise on the right approach for you.

For 24 to 48 hours after your infusion: avoid strenuous exercise and heavy lifting, stay well hydrated, and avoid drinking tea or coffee immediately after the treatment as tannins can affect iron absorption in the short term.

You can eat normally and continue most daily activities. Most people return to work and normal routine the same day or the following morning. Your written aftercare guide will cover everything specific to your situation.

Iron tablets are usually the first option tried because they are inexpensive and widely available. However, they take weeks or months to raise iron levels, and many people experience significant gut side effects including constipation, nausea and stomach cramps.

An infusion restores iron stores in a single session and avoids gut side effects entirely. It is typically recommended when tablets have not worked, cannot be tolerated, or when iron levels need to be corrected quickly for medical reasons.

No. You can book directly with us without a GP referral. You will need recent blood test results showing your ferritin and iron levels before we can proceed. If you do not have these, we can arrange a blood test at the clinic before your infusion appointment.

Ovara Health is recognised by all major UK private medical insurers. Whether iron infusion is covered depends on your individual policy and insurer. We recommend checking with your insurer before booking. If you need a referral letter for pre-authorisation, we can help arrange that. Self-pay patients are also very welcome.