I’ve been on tirz for two years and am a new woman—except I can’t get my low ferritin to budge despite following the protocols for oral iron supplementation. My doctor is now suggesting iv iron. Co-pay is astronomical.. has anyone bought this in grey? Son is a paramedic and can set up the drip…
Low ferritin?
- Thread starter Honolu
- Start date
Calm Logic
GLP-1 Specialist
I found this, from an Indian pharmacy I use:
www.dmonlinemeds.com
They have both ampules and vials of iron. (Personally, I prefer vials for my subq injections, but I have never used iron.)
This vial is for infusion too, but vials are more expensive ($45 in this case):
This ampule for IV infusion is much cheaper ($4):
www.dmonlinemeds.com
DM Pharma Bridge Export, Nagpur - Wholesaler of Erectile Dysfunction Medicines - 2 and Antibiotic, Antifungal & Antimicrobial Medications
Wholesaler of Erectile Dysfunction Medicines - 2, Antibiotic, Antifungal & Antimicrobial Medications & Anti Depression, Anti Anxiety And Other CNS Meds offered by DM Pharma Bridge Export from Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
They have both ampules and vials of iron. (Personally, I prefer vials for my subq injections, but I have never used iron.)
This vial is for infusion too, but vials are more expensive ($45 in this case):
Encicarb 500mg Injection is an iron replacement product. It is used to treat a type of anemia in which the number of red blood cells is less due to a low level of iron in your body (iron-deficiency anemia). Iron is needed to produce the red blood cells that carry oxygen around your body.
This ampule for IV infusion is much cheaper ($4):
DM Pharma Bridge Export, Nagpur - Wholesaler of Erectile Dysfunction Medicines - 2 and Antibiotic, Antifungal & Antimicrobial Medications
Wholesaler of Erectile Dysfunction Medicines - 2, Antibiotic, Antifungal & Antimicrobial Medications & Anti Depression, Anti Anxiety And Other CNS Meds offered by DM Pharma Bridge Export from Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
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Also “Orofer S100 Iron Sucrose Injection” from the same vendor.I found this, from an Indian pharmacy I use:
DM Pharma Bridge Export, Nagpur - Wholesaler of Erectile Dysfunction Medicines - 2 and Antibiotic, Antifungal & Antimicrobial Medications
Wholesaler of Erectile Dysfunction Medicines - 2, Antibiotic, Antifungal & Antimicrobial Medications & Anti Depression, Anti Anxiety And Other CNS Meds offered by DM Pharma Bridge Export from Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
They have both ampules and vials of iron. (Personally, I prefer vials for my subq injections, but I have never used iron.)
This vial is for infusion too, but vials are more expensive ($45 in this case):
This ampule for IV infusion is much cheaper ($4):
DM Pharma Bridge Export, Nagpur - Wholesaler of Erectile Dysfunction Medicines - 2 and Antibiotic, Antifungal & Antimicrobial Medications
Wholesaler of Erectile Dysfunction Medicines - 2, Antibiotic, Antifungal & Antimicrobial Medications & Anti Depression, Anti Anxiety And Other CNS Meds offered by DM Pharma Bridge Export from Nagpur, Maharashtra, India
CrabbyD
GLP-1 Novice
Do some research. IV iron can cause reactions and usually require trial doses. I use Venofer at work and it's known to be fairly safe. I don't know of any sub q iron. I have always given it IV. Any time it would infiltrate my patients would complain of severe burning.
Calm Logic
GLP-1 Specialist
I did just read on Reddit that people are sometimes given a corticosteroid before or after their iron IV.
I am more anxious than most, so I would not be doing any IVs outside of a medical facility (with anaphylactic medications, a crash cart, multiple personnel, monitoring equipment, etc). Like I would never go to a med spa for an IV, though some do offer iron IVs. A protocol for iron infusion reactions, including dealing with the relatively mild "sensation of heat":
Granted, something really bad happening is very rare and your son is extremely qualified to deal with emergencies, and he could get a vial of a corticosteroid from India (one is called Meth-Q of all things but they also have hydrocortisone). They even have adrenaline.
The gold-standard approach:
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
If I absolutely had no choice, maybe Kevorkian-style in a van...or RV...but in the parking lot of the ER 🙂
So...regarding affordability:
I am more anxious than most, so I would not be doing any IVs outside of a medical facility (with anaphylactic medications, a crash cart, multiple personnel, monitoring equipment, etc). Like I would never go to a med spa for an IV, though some do offer iron IVs. A protocol for iron infusion reactions, including dealing with the relatively mild "sensation of heat":
Granted, something really bad happening is very rare and your son is extremely qualified to deal with emergencies, and he could get a vial of a corticosteroid from India (one is called Meth-Q of all things but they also have hydrocortisone). They even have adrenaline.
The gold-standard approach:
Hypersensitivity reactions to intravenous iron: guidance for risk minimization and management - PMC
Intravenous iron is widely used for the treatment of iron deficiency anemia when oral iron is inappropriate, ineffective or poorly tolerated. Acute hypersensitivity reactions during iron infusions are very rare but can be life-threatening. This ...
pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
If I absolutely had no choice, maybe Kevorkian-style in a van...or RV...but in the parking lot of the ER 🙂
So...regarding affordability:
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desinr-gal
GLP-1 Enthusiast
I have been technically pescatarian, but mostly vegan for 35 years. I keep my ferritin high by eating certain foods all the time; like Lentils, Cocoa powder, and black strap molasses. A morning latte with cocoa and molasses tastes good, add citrus like lemon juice to your meals to make iron more bio-available. You can also use iron cookware, or iron fish.
If you track your meals with an app like cronometer, you can see how much you are consuming and what foods are high.
If you track your meals with an app like cronometer, you can see how much you are consuming and what foods are high.
BioDad
GLP-1 Novice
Not for nothing, but there are other causes for low iron and ferritin that won't budge. I'm assuming the doctor has ruled out a bunch of things, but low zinc, copper, or even vitamin a have been associated with low iron stores for a variety of reasons. There's also a marker - soluble transferrin receptor - that, along with ferritin (their ratio) kind of let's you know if your body "wants" more iron or not. In other words, if ferritin is low and wants more iron, or if ferritin is low because it is being intentionally suppressed by the body.
Bottom line, there's a lot more to the story that I hope your doctor has investigated first.
Rejuvenateme000!
GLP-1 Enthusiast
I have low ferritin and iron. I have done 2 iron infusions. My coworker/friend always infusion the rate slower than what the provider says because of the burning. I have also bought iron (b-complex) from India. My b12 levels were sky high, my iron came up to normal after the infusions but after a few months my ferritin gets back very low- which means I have none stored. I have been searching for something for energy; I am interested to see if there is something for ferritin storage. for now, I'm going to do the 3rd iron infusion, then see a hematologist.
I plan on reading into the second one @Calm Logic posted.
