Hi all, I was trying to find NHS/NICE guidance on when someone is a candidate for an iron infusion. I would imagine there is a level of ferritin or haemoglobin below which an infusion is required, however I cannot find this online despite searching extensively.
Hopefully someone can help point me in the right direction.
Dee
Although in the context of pregnancy, this was the first document I found with actual numbers:
The incidence of anaemia in pregnancy is estimated at 25% globally1. Even in the developed world Iron deficiency affects 30-40% of preschool children and pregnant women (WHO, 2008). Anaemia is defined by Hb <110g/l in first trimester, <105g/l in second and third trimesters and <100g/l in postpartum period. The other indices that confirm iron deficiency anaemia are MCH<27pg and low ferritin (<12ng/ml). Some patients may have iron deficiency without anaemia
file:///C:/Users/helvella/AppData/Local/Temp/Administration%20of%20Ferinject.pdf
There might be many other papers/documents/pages - I searched like this:
Thanks for this.
What I’m looking for is irrefutable levels where a doctor must prescribe infusion. For general anaemia the first line treatment is tablets. But I do know that at extreme iron deficiency an infusion is indicated.
My wife is in dispute with her medical insurers so I need definitive NICE guidance that I can stick at them.
This might be of interest and does mention actual numbers. It is from the CKS section of the NICE website.
cks.nice.org.uk/topics/anae...
CKS = Clinical Knowledge Summaries
If its of any interest, I never got any assistance to raise my iron after a long-term GI bleed from a large bowel polyp which I am convinced nearly killed me. I had to learn how to test and treat my own iron and ferritin levels. It took me nearly two years to raise my ferritin to mid-range, but even then my serum iron was low.
I now take a maintenance dose (and have done for a few years) and my iron related levels are the best they have ever been, and are still very slowly improving. I started treating my iron by myself in 2013.
I can give you information on how to DIY, but would need to know the results of a recent Full Blood Count and a recent iron panel. Both of these can be done with private finger-prick tests from various blood testing companies. No doctors need to be involved. (And I'm not medically trained.)
One thing that stops people in their tracks in treating low iron and ferritin is that they assume they need a prescription to get prescription-strength iron supplements. This isn't true. They can be bought from pharmacies in the UK with the pharmacist's permission, and they aren't terribly expensive.
It is true that iron in overdose is dangerous and poisonous. But as long as people test frequently and aim for no higher than optimal they should be okay.
See this link :
healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...
Bear in mind that I have no medical training and you follow my suggestions at your own risk.
Thanks it’s a little more complex as my wife has thallesemia so the usual protocols don’t apply.
She’s had the infusion, I just need to convince the insurers to pay as they are so far refusing. If she meets NHS criteria they really have no leg to stand on but that criteria does not seem to be available.
I don't know if this forum might be able to help:
healthunlocked.com/sicklece...
I noticed a mention of sickle cell beta thalassemia!
Don't know if either of these links will be helpful, but they are probably worth a look :
Thank you both
Iron infusion progress- labs
Iron infusion question
Iron infusion advice please
Will they give me an iron infusion?
