Iron Infusions in Kelowna, BC
For low iron, heavy periods, pregnancy, postpartum and more, plus the fatigue that comes with them.
Low iron can show up as more than just fatigue
You're exhausted, foggy, losing more hair than usual, but you've been told your iron isn't low enough to treat. Oral supplements aren't the only path, and you don't have to wait for things to get worse.
It starts with a 15-minute virtual assessment call. No referral needed.
What Is an Iron Infusion?
An iron infusion restores your iron stores by delivering iron directly into your bloodstream, without the slow and often frustrating process of oral supplements. Most people feel improvement in their energy, breathlessness, or brain fog within two to four weeks, and many need only a single infusion.
What counts as low ferritin
Ferritin is the blood marker that reflects your stored iron, and it drops long before hemoglobin does. Below 30 mcg/L is generally considered iron deficient. Between 30 and 50, many people still feel the effects, especially with heavy periods or a plant-based diet, and treatment can be appropriate when symptoms are there. You do not have to be anemic to qualify. Because ferritin can read falsely high when there is inflammation, we read it alongside a full iron panel rather than on its own.
Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutrient deficiencies worldwide
~40% of reproductive-age women are thought to be iron-deficient
~50% of pregnant women are affected
Who Might Benefit from Iron Infusions?
You may be a good candidate if:
You’ve been diagnosed with iron deficiency or low ferritin
You have heavy menstrual bleeding or unexplained fatigue
You’re pregnant or postpartum and trying to stay ahead of deficiency
You have a history of anemia
You struggle with digestive issues like celiac, IBD, or SIBO
You can’t tolerate oral iron due to nausea, constipation, or poor absorption
You follow a vegan or vegetarian diet and are finding it hard to meet your needs
You do not need to be anemic to qualify for treatment.
Oral Iron Supplements vs IV Iron Infusions
Oral iron works for some people. For others, it is slow, hard on the stomach, or never quite moves the needle.
Here is how the two compare.
| Oral iron supplements | IV iron infusion | |
|---|---|---|
| Time to feel better | Often several months to rebuild stores | Energy often improving in two to four weeks |
| Absorption | Only about 10 to 20% absorbed, and less with gut issues | Delivered straight into the bloodstream, so the gut is bypassed entirely |
| Digestive effects | Nausea, constipation, and stomach upset are common | None, because it skips the digestive system |
| Effort | A daily pill, often for months | Usually a single visit |
| Best suited to | Milder deficiency when pills are tolerated | Low ferritin with symptoms, poor absorption, or intolerance to pills |
Neither is automatically the right answer. The best choice depends on how low your iron is, how well you tolerate supplements, and the cause behind the deficiency.
For the full breakdown, read iron infusions vs. iron supplements.
What to Expect: The Iron Infusion Process
Step 1: Assessment Call
Book a 15-minute virtual call with one of our naturopathic doctors. We review your symptoms and recent labs to see if an iron infusion is right for you.
If you have bloodwork from the past three months, you send it in. If not, we provide the requisition. No waiting on your family doctor to get started.
Step 2: Prescription & Booking
If you're a good candidate, we'll send your prescription to a partnering pharmacy and have it delivered directly to the clinic. No extra errands or pickup needed. Once your iron arrives, we'll book your infusion appointment.
Step 3: The Infusion
You'll come to the clinic and complete a quick pre-infusion check-in and consent form. Your infusion is given by Kerissa Connolly, RN, who has administered iron infusions for years and brings nursing experience from BC Children's Hospital. That background shows in her technique, gentle even with veins that are hard to find.
The infusion itself takes 60 to 90 minutes, and you're monitored throughout. Most people tolerate it very well with minimal side effects.
What it Costs
The assessment call is $85, and the infusion appointment fee is $225 if you go ahead. The iron itself, typically Monoferric, runs $100 to $500 and is often partly or fully covered by extended drug plans, and the infusion fee may be covered under your naturopathic benefits. We don't direct bill, but you get receipts for reimbursement.
Iron infusions are not covered by BC MSP.
Coverage and How We Help
Many patients pay far less than the full amount. Monoferric may be covered through PharmaCare Special Authority for those who qualify, which can bring the cost of the iron down substantially, and many extended health plans cover it too. You don't have to figure this out on your own. We help you check what your benefits cover and apply for Special Authority where it fits, so you're not navigating it alone.
Read More on Iron
Book Your Iron Assessment Call Today
No more brushing off your fatigue. No more waiting until you hit rock bottom.
If you suspect iron deficiency is part of the picture, let’s get clarity.
Written by Dr. Brittany Schamerhorn, ND, MSCP,founder of Ivy Health and a Menopause Society Certified Practitioner.
Frequently Asked Questions
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No referral is required. You can self-refer by booking a virtual assessment call with one of our naturopathic doctors at Ivy Health Clinic. We review your recent lab work (within the past 3 months) and determine if an infusion is appropriate. If you do not have recent labs, we can provide a requisition. Your family doctor is also welcome to send a referral by fax to 250-980-3770 or by email to hello@ivyhealthclinic.com.
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No. You do not need to be anemic to benefit from an iron infusion. Iron deficiency can cause fatigue, brain fog, hair thinning, and breathlessness while your hemoglobin still reads normal, which is why ferritin matters. If your ferritin is low and you have symptoms, an infusion can be appropriate even with a normal CBC. A virtual assessment confirms whether it fits your situation.
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Iron infusions are generally considered when ferritin falls below 50 mcg/L and you have symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, or hair thinning. Ferritin below 30 mcg/L is widely considered iron deficient, and 30 to 50 with symptoms is often still low enough to treat. You do not need to be anemic to qualify. Because ferritin can read falsely high with inflammation, we read it alongside a full iron panel and how you feel, not one number in isolation. That assessment happens on your virtual call.
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An iron infusion may be the better option if your ferritin is below 50 mcg/L with significant symptoms, you cannot tolerate oral iron, or you need faster results. Oral iron is reasonable for milder deficiency when you tolerate it and accept a slower timeline of several months. Our naturopathic doctors weigh your ferritin, symptoms, and root cause together to recommend the right approach. For a deeper breakdown, read iron infusions vs. iron supplements.
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Many patients need only a single iron infusion, because the formulation typically used (Monoferric) can deliver a full replacement dose in one visit. Some people need a second infusion, depending on how depleted their iron stores are. Your naturopathic doctor reviews your ferritin and symptoms to decide how many sessions are appropriate, then rechecks your labs afterward to confirm your levels have recovered.
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Most people notice improvements in energy, breathlessness, or brain fog within two to four weeks of an iron infusion. Your iron stores take longer to fully rebuild, often eight to twelve weeks, which is why we recheck your ferritin after treatment. How quickly you respond depends on how depleted you were to start and whether the underlying cause, such as heavy periods, has been addressed.
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After a successful iron infusion, restored iron stores often last several months, commonly six months or longer, when there is no ongoing source of loss. If the underlying cause continues, such as heavy periods or poor absorption, your levels can drop again. That is why we look for the root cause rather than just topping you up, and we recheck your ferritin after treatment to plan from there.
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The infusion itself takes about 60 to 90 minutes, followed by a short observation period. Most patients plan for one to two hours at the clinic in total, including check-in and the consent review. A healthcare provider monitors you throughout. Because the iron goes directly into your bloodstream, there is no recovery time, and most people head back to their day afterward.
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The most common side effect is a mild flu-like feeling (headache, fatigue, body aches) in the first 1 to 3 days. This is sometimes called "the iron flu" and generally resolves on its own. Because IV iron bypasses the digestive system entirely, it does not cause the nausea, constipation, or stomach discomfort associated with oral iron supplements. Serious allergic reactions are rare with modern iron formulations like Monoferric.
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The infusion appointment fee is $225, plus the iron itself ($100 to $500, often covered by extended benefits). The 15-minute assessment call is $85. We don't direct bill, but provide receipts for reimbursement. Iron infusions are not covered by BC MSP.
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Yes. We provide iron infusions for pregnant patients in their second or third trimester. Iron deficiency is common in pregnancy, affecting up to 50% of pregnant women. A virtual assessment with one of our naturopathic doctors is required before booking, to review your labs and confirm eligibility. Book your assessment at ivyhealthclinic.janeapp.com or call 250-410-4406.
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Ivy Health Clinic offers IV iron infusions at our Pandosy Village location, 202-2900 Pandosy St, Kelowna, BC. Infusions are administered by Kerissa Connolly, RN, under the clinical oversight of our naturopathic doctors. No physician referral is required. You can self-refer by booking a virtual assessment call at ivyhealthclinic.janeapp.com or by calling 250-410-4406.