IV Iron Infusions for Anemia

At United Medical Clinic (UMC), we give intravenous iron infusions at our clinics in Lisbon (Saldanha) and Porto (Trindade). An iron infusion restores the body's iron stores quickly when iron tablets do not help, cause side effects, or cannot be absorbed. We use two medicines: Ferinject (ferric carboxymaltose), from €370 per infusion, and Venofer (iron sucrose), €150 per infusion. Before the infusion, you need recent blood tests and a consultation with a general practitioner, in person or online, who confirms iron deficiency and calculates the dose. Iron infusions are for adults aged 18 and over. We work with all Portuguese and international insurance providers.

When an Iron Infusion May Help

Iron deficiency often shows up as tiredness, weakness, pale skin, dizziness, shortness of breath on exertion, hair loss, or brittle nails. In most cases, it is treated with iron tablets. Your doctor may recommend an infusion if:

• iron tablets have not raised your iron levels or cause side effects such as nausea, stomach pain, or constipation;
• you have a condition that reduces iron absorption, such as celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease, or you have had bariatric surgery;
• you need to restore iron quickly, for example before planned surgery or in the second or third trimester of pregnancy;
• you are losing iron faster than tablets can replace it, for example because of heavy periods.

An infusion is only given when iron deficiency is confirmed by blood tests. Too much iron is also harmful, so the dose is always calculated individually.

Ferinject or Venofer

• Ferinject (ferric carboxymaltose) delivers up to 1,000 mg of iron in a single infusion, so one or two visits are often enough. 10 ml (500 mg of iron): €370. 20 ml (1,000 mg of iron): €470.
• Venofer (iron sucrose) delivers a smaller dose at a time, so it is given as a course, usually of 3–5 infusions. One infusion: €150.

The doctor chooses the medicine based on your tests, body weight, and medical history. The total cost of treatment depends on how much iron you need.

How the Treatment Works

1. Blood tests. You can have them at our clinic or bring your own results, as long as they are no more than one month old.
2. Consultation with a general practitioner, in person or online. The doctor reviews your tests and medical history, checks for contraindications, and calculates the dose based on your hemoglobin level and body weight.
3. The infusion at our clinic in Lisbon or Porto. The infusion itself takes 15–30 minutes, depending on the medicine and the dose. Afterwards, you stay at the clinic for at least 30 minutes under observation. Allow about an hour for the visit.
4. Follow-up tests no earlier than 4 weeks after the last infusion. Before then, results can be misleading.

With Ferinject, one infusion is often enough. If you need more than 1,000 mg of iron, the second infusion is given at least one week later. Venofer is given as a course, usually of 3–5 infusions, on a schedule set by the doctor.

Blood Tests Needed Before the Infusion

• complete blood count with white blood cell differential;
• reticulocytes;
• ferritin;
• serum iron;
• latent iron-binding capacity;
• C-reactive protein.

The results must be no more than one month old. All six tests are included in our Iron Deficiency Diagnostics panel, which costs €54 at our clinic. More about laboratory tests at UMC.

Our Doctors

The infusion is prescribed by a general practitioner who has reviewed your tests:

• Dr. Nataliia Prakhova, Lisbon. Family doctor. Languages: English, Portuguese, and Russian.
• Dr. Iryna Bentsal, Lisbon. General practitioner. Languages: English, Portuguese, Russian, and Ukrainian.
• Dr. Miguel Luz, Lisbon. General practitioner. Languages: English, Portuguese, and Spanish.
• Dr. Nataliia Lazanovska, Porto. Family doctor. Languages: English, Portuguese, Russian, and Ukrainian.

If you prefer another language, a medical coordinator can interpret during the visit free of charge.

Contraindications

An iron infusion is not given in the following cases:

• anemia that is not caused by iron deficiency;
• iron overload or a disorder in how the body uses iron;
• allergy to the medicine or a previous severe reaction to intravenous iron;
• the first trimester of pregnancy;
• age under 18.

If you have an acute infection or active inflammation, the infusion is usually postponed until you recover.

Safety and Possible Side Effects

Both medicines are generally well tolerated. Some people have a headache, dizziness, nausea, flushing, or a change in blood pressure on the day of the infusion. Serious allergic reactions are rare, which is why you stay under observation for 30 minutes afterwards.

If you feel burning or pain at the needle site during the infusion, tell the nurse right away. If the medicine leaks under the skin, it can leave a brown mark that may last a long time. With repeated courses of Ferinject, the level of phosphate in the blood can fall, so the doctor may add this test to your follow-up.

Fees, Insurance, and Booking

• General practitioner consultation, in person or online: €95
• Ferinject infusion, 10 ml (500 mg of iron): €370
• Ferinject infusion, 20 ml (1,000 mg of iron): €470
• Venofer infusion, per infusion: €150
• Iron Deficiency Diagnostics panel (all six tests): €54

A 50% deposit is paid when you book the infusion. We work with all Portuguese and international insurance providers. Whether your insurance covers the infusion depends on your policy, so please check with your insurer.

You can book online, via WhatsApp or Telegram, or by phone at +351 300 502 822. Our clinics: Avenida Defensores de Chaves, 73B (Saldanha), Lisbon, and Rua Dr. Alfredo Magalhães, 90 (Trindade), Porto.

Frequently Asked Questions