Services / Iron Infusion Clinic

Iron deficiency, diagnosed and treated under one roof.

A combined Internal Medicine consultation and IV Iron Infusion service for adults with iron deficiency and iron-deficiency anemia. Diagnosis, work-up, infusion when indicated, and follow-up — typically within the same week of referral.

RapidInternal Medicine Consult
Same WeekVirtual Consultation
OHIPCovered Consultation
InternistSupervised IV Iron

Why a GIM Consult

Low ferritin is a finding. The cause — and the right treatment — is what matters.

Iron deficiency is the most common nutritional deficiency in Canada and one of the most consistently undertreated. Many patients are diagnosed by haemoglobin alone, missing the more sensitive ferritin and iron-saturation measures. Many are prescribed oral iron without an investigation into why their iron is low in the first place.

Oral iron supplements are inexpensive but inefficient: less than ten percent of a typical dose is absorbed, and gastrointestinal side effects cause many patients to abandon treatment before their stores are restored. IV iron, delivered after a proper internal-medicine assessment, replaces what oral iron cannot — typically in a single 30-minute infusion.

What We Investigate & Treat

The full iron picture, not just the haemoglobin.

Every consultation begins with a comprehensive iron panel and a structured history. From there, the work-up — and the treatment — is tailored to the clinical picture.

Iron Panel

Complete blood count, serum ferritin, serum iron, total iron binding capacity, and transferrin saturation.

ii.

Cause-Focused Work-Up

Targeted investigation for heavy menstrual bleeding, gastrointestinal loss, malabsorption, and dietary patterns.

iii.

GI & Gyn Pathways

Where indicated, we coordinate endoscopic referral or gynaecology referral and communicate findings back to your physician.

iv.

Pregnancy & Post-Partum

Assessment and treatment of iron deficiency in pregnancy and the post-partum period — pre-delivery optimisation, post-partum recovery.

IV Iron Infusion

Monoferric®, Ferinject®, or Venofer® — selected by our internist after reviewing your bloodwork and history.

vi.

Pre-Operative Optimisation

Rapid restoration of iron stores for patients preparing for surgery or chemotherapy where stores need urgent correction.

What We Use

Three of the most advanced single-dose IV iron formulations available.

Every infusion at MED1 uses one of three Health Canada–approved IV iron products, selected against your dosing needs, tolerability, and clinical history.

Monoferric® · ferric derisomaltose — a single high-dose infusion suitable for most patients with iron deficiency anemia.
Ferinject® · ferric carboxymaltose — a high-dose option with an excellent safety profile, often delivered in one session.
Venofer® · iron sucrose — an established formulation used selectively, typically in divided doses.

The Pathway

From referral to follow-up, in four steps.

i.
Specialist Consultation

Referrals received by fax, email, or Ocean eReferral. Patient contacted within one business day; consultation typically the same week — virtual or in person.
ii.
Diagnosis & Plan

Comprehensive iron panel, structured history, and cause-focused work-up. Our internist confirms the diagnosis, selects the formulation, and prescribes the dose.
iii.
Infusion

A Registered Nurse places a small IV in a private suite. The infusion runs 15–30 minutes with continuous physician-supervised monitoring before, during, and after.
iv.
Follow-Up

Repeat bloodwork at 6–8 weeks confirms iron stores have been restored. The consultation note is sent to your referring physician for shared care.

Every infusion, monitored. Every patient, supervised by a physician on site.

IV iron is generally very well tolerated. A small number of patients experience mild, short-lived effects such as a headache, slight nausea, or transient flushing during the infusion. Serious reactions are rare — which is why every infusion at MED1 is performed in a fully equipped clinical setting with a Registered Nurse administering and a physician on site throughout.

An allergist is on site for every infusion. Beyond the standard internist supervision, MED1 has a board-certified Allergist & Immunologist available throughout the infusion suite hours — with specific expertise in diagnosing and managing allergic reactions to medications and infused therapies. For patients with a history of prior reactions, multiple drug allergies, or simply heightened concern, an optional pre-infusion allergy consultation is offered to review the safest approach.

Pre-infusion assessment, intra-infusion monitoring, and post-infusion observation are standard for every visit.

Coverage & Costs

What's covered, and what may not be.

OHIP — Consultation. Your Internal Medicine consultation is 100% OHIP-covered for eligible Ontario residents.

The medication. Monoferric®, Ferinject®, and Venofer® are prescription drugs. They may be covered under your private drug plan, the Ontario Drug Benefit (ODB), Ontario Works, or the Trillium Drug Programme. We provide a detailed receipt and prescription for reimbursement where applicable.

Infusion suite fee. A separate suite fee covers nursing care, IV supplies, monitoring, and use of the private infusion suite. This is collected at the time of service and is frequently reimbursable through a Health Spending Account (HSA) or extended health benefits plan.

Frequently Asked

Patient & physician questions.

What is the Iron Infusion Clinic?

The Iron Infusion Clinic is a combined Internal Medicine and IV Iron Infusion service for adults with iron deficiency. A board-certified internist diagnoses the deficiency, identifies the underlying cause, and where indicated, delivers the IV iron infusion under one roof — typically within the same week of referral.

Do I need a referral?

Yes. A referral from your family physician or nurse practitioner is required for an OHIP-covered Internal Medicine consultation. Referrals are accepted by fax, email, or Ocean eReferral. If you do not have a family doctor, contact us — we will guide you through the pathway.

Is the consultation OHIP-covered?

Yes. The Internal Medicine consultation is 100% OHIP-covered for eligible Ontario residents. If IV iron is subsequently prescribed, the medication and infusion suite fee are billed separately.

How is IV iron different from oral iron pills?

Oral iron must travel through the digestive tract to be absorbed. For many patients, less than ten percent of a dose is actually absorbed, and GI side effects are common. IV iron bypasses the gut entirely: a single 15–30 minute infusion delivers a therapeutic dose directly to the bloodstream.

How quickly will I feel better?

Many patients begin noticing improvements in energy, mood, and concentration within three to seven days. The full effect typically builds over two to four weeks as your body rebuilds red blood cells and replenishes ferritin stores.

How long does the appointment take?

The infusion itself runs 15–30 minutes. Plan for approximately 45–60 minutes including check-in, IV placement, the infusion, and brief post-infusion monitoring.

Can the consultation be virtual?

Yes. Most Internal Medicine consultations for iron deficiency can be delivered virtually, with bloodwork ordered at your local lab. The infusion itself is performed in person at our Vaughan clinic.

Will my family doctor be kept in the loop?

Yes. A detailed consultation note — including diagnosis, work-up, treatment plan, and follow-up recommendations — is sent to the referring physician after every visit. Shared care is our default.

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