Iron Infusions in Halifax
You’ve been tired in a way that bloodwork
keeps calling normal. There’s more to the
story than hemoglobin.
When Oral Iron Isn’t Enough
Most people connect iron deficiency with feeling a little tired. It’s broader than that, and more common than most expect. Iron deficiency is the most widespread nutritional deficiency in the world, and in Canada it affects a large share of women of reproductive age, many of whom have no idea.
Iron does foundational work in your body. It helps produce energy, supports thyroid function, and plays a role in focus and clear thinking. When levels drop, even within ranges that get waved through as “normal,” the effects are real and felt.
An infusion delivers iron directly into your bloodstream under medical supervision, bypassing the gut absorption that makes oral iron hard for some people to tolerate or use. It’s an option when oral iron isn’t appropriate, isn’t tolerated, or isn’t moving the needle. The people who tend to benefit most: women with heavy menstrual cycles, those in perimenopause or postmenopause, anyone with absorption challenges, and people who’ve been told their levels are “fine” but feel anything but.
Not sure you’re a candidate? That’s what the consult is for.
There’s a reason so many people are told they’re fine and still feel exhausted. When a doctor says your iron is normal, that number is usually hemoglobin, the iron in your blood right now. Eligibility for an infusion is assessed on your full iron panel, including ferritin, your stored iron, alongside your symptoms and individual baseline. Ferritin can run low while hemoglobin still reads normal.
You don’t have to arrive knowing your numbers, or knowing whether you’re a candidate. That’s what the consult is for. Infusions are considered when oral iron has been tried for around three months and hasn’t been enough, or when it can’t be tolerated. Stopping your pills because they upset your stomach doesn’t disqualify you, it’s context we want to hear. And you don’t pay for a treatment you don’t receive.
How It Works
Step 1: Book Your Consultation
A dedicated appointment with Amber Landry, RN to review your symptoms, health history, and any existing bloodwork — available in-person or by phone. This is where we look at the full picture, not just a number on a panel.
Step 2: Physician Review & Prescription
Dr. Roxanne Ouellet, MD reviews every case and issues the prescription where appropriate. Required pre-infusion bloodwork is completed to confirm iron status and ensure clinical safety before proceeding.
Step 3: Your Iron Infusion
Administered in-clinic by our registered nursing team under physician oversight. Most patients need only one infusion.
Step 4: Follow-Up Bloodwork
Included in your care plan. We confirm your levels are responding before you’re done.
Medically Supervised Iron Infusions
Our infusions are supervised by Dr. Roxanne Ouellet, MD, and carried out by our registered nursing team. Dr. Ouellet brings over 12 years of clinical experience, including five years in emergency medicine. She also leads our BHRT program and founded Clinique DRO in Moncton, where she has built her reputation on integrative, patient-centered hormone care.
Your process starts with a consult with our RN, who reviews your history, symptoms, and any existing bloodwork. Dr. Ouellet reviews every case and oversees the protocol, so there’s physician involvement and medical accountability built into every step, not just on paper, but in practice.
If you’ve been told your iron is low or you’re struggling with fatigue, brain fog, or symptoms that haven’t resolved with oral supplementation, this is what proper treatment looks like.
FAQ
How do I know if my iron levels need to be assessed?
Iron status is evaluated through blood work and clinical context. This typically includes markers that reflect iron stores and transport, not just hemoglobin.
If you’re experiencing changes in energy, concentration, hair shedding, cold sensitivity, or heavy menstrual bleeding, iron assessment may be part of a broader hormone and physiology review.
Why would someone choose an iron infusion instead of oral iron?
Oral iron is often the first approach. However, some individuals do not tolerate oral supplementation, do not absorb it effectively, or require a different method based on their clinical picture.
Iron infusions are considered when there is documented deficiency and a medical rationale for IV-based delivery.
This decision is made during consultation. Iron infusions are considered when there is documented deficiency and a medical rationale for IV-based delivery. This decision is made during consultation.
Are iron infusions safe? Are there age requirements?
Iron infusions are administered under medical supervision following appropriate assessment and screening. Your health history, labs, and risk factors are reviewed prior to proceeding. Safety and clinical appropriateness guide every step. The minimum age for administration of an iron infusion at our clinic is 18. We also do not treat iron deficiencies in pregnant women.
What does the process actually look like?
An Iron Infusion Consultation is your starting point. If you have recent bloodwork, bring it with you. If you don’t, we can run it in clinic. Our Registered Nurse will review your symptoms, health history, and bloodwork to determine whether iron infusion therapy makes sense for you. From there, you’ll have a phone consult with our Medical Doctor, Dr. Roxanne Ouellet, who will issue a prescription if appropriate. You pick it up at your local pharmacy, bring it to your infusion appointment, and we take care of the rest. After your treatment, we arrange follow-up bloodwork to confirm your levels are moving in the right direction.
One thing to know before you book: patients are required to have trialed oral iron for a minimum of three months before proceeding with infusion therapy. If you started and had to stop for any reason, just be prepared to discuss that at your consultation — it’s helpful context.
What does it cost and what does the fee cover?
Everything in your initial pathway is $489- your RN consultation, physician review by Dr. Ouellet, pre-infusion bloodwork, the sitting fee for your iron infusion appointment, and follow-up bloodwork to confirm your levels are responding.
The one additional cost is the iron medication itself (~$500–600), which is filled at a pharmacy. The DIN is 2477777 — you can use this to check your insurance coverage before you book. If iron infusion therapy isn’t appropriate after your consultation, $235 is refunded.
How often would I need an iron infusion?
Frequency depends on your current iron status, medical history, and the degree of deficiency documented through lab work. Some individuals require a single infusion. Others may require follow-up monitoring and reassessment over time.
My hemoglobin is normal, does that mean I’m not a candidate?
Not necessarily. Hemoglobin alone doesn’t tell the full picture. We look at your full iron panel — including ferritin — alongside your symptoms to assess whether treatment is appropriate. If you’re not a candidate after your consultation, you’ll be reimbursed $235.
Is this covered by insurance?
Many plans cover part or all of the cost — it just depends on your individual plan. There are two separate charges to be aware of: the consultation fee and the iron medication. Your insurance may cover them differently, so we recommend checking with your provider on both before you book. Please note we don’t direct bill — any reimbursement would be submitted by you directly to your provider.
The consultation fee is $489, paid upfront. This covers the full process — your RN consultation, physician review and follow up, required bloodwork before and after your infusion, and the sitting fee for your infusion appointment itself. The iron medication is separate, prescribed by our Medical Doctor, Dr. Ouellet and picked up at your local pharmacy. Without any coverage, that’s typically an additional $500–$600.
The DIN (Drug Identification Number) is 2477777 — you can use this to check medication coverage with your insurer ahead of time. If your plan requires pre-approval paperwork, bring it to your consultation and our Registered Nurse can complete it with you.
