Anemia Evaluation & IV Treatment in Los Angeles & Beverly Hills

Many people across the globe suffer from iron deficiency anemia. Some people take iron dietary supplements, and others eat iron-rich foods such as dark healthy greens (like kale). But still, far too many people have an inadequate amount of iron in their system.

Whether intravenous treatment is appropriate depends on the cause of anemia, laboratory findings, severity, symptoms, medical history, and response to oral treatment when relevant. IV therapy is not a general treatment for anemia; iron, vitamin B12, folate, and other therapies are used only when the corresponding diagnosis or indication is established.

Anemia has multiple causes, so treatment depends on the diagnosis. Iron deficiency may be treated with oral or IV iron when appropriate, while vitamin B12 or folate deficiency requires treatment of that specific deficiency. For patients with confirmed iron deficiency who may need intravenous replacement, see our Iron Infusion Los Angeles service page.

What is Anemia?

There are over 400 types of anemia. However, anemia is mainly a disorder where the body does not produce enough red blood cells to carry oxygen to your tissues. With iron-deficiency anemia, your body can’t make enough hemoglobin for adequate oxygen transportation. There’s also vitamin-deficiency anemia, where your body doesn’t produce enough red blood cells due to vitamin B12 and folate deficiency.

Anemia is diagnosed through a blood test. Your healthcare provider can check how much hemoglobin is being produced in your body and your levels of essential vitamins.

What Vitamins are Good For Anemia?

Risk factors for anemia vary with the underlying cause and can include blood loss, nutritional deficiency, pregnancy, kidney disease, gastrointestinal conditions and certain medications. Treatment should be based on the type and cause of anemia rather than a standard vitamin regimen.

You may be wondering, what vitamins should I take for anemia? Keep reading to learn about vitamins for iron deficiency anemia and vitamin deficiency anemia.

Is Vitamin B12 good for anemia?

Does lack of vitamin B12 cause anemia, and is vitamin B12 good for anemia? Vitamin B12 is essential for red blood cell development. While iron creates hemoglobin, B12 controls red blood cell size. With insufficient B12, blood cells are too large and poorly shaped and unable to fulfill their function properly.

Vitamin B6 and Anemia

Vitamin B6 is essential for converting iron into hemoglobin. You can find vitamin B6 in foods such as bananas, nuts, fish, lentils, and leafy greens. Insufficient B6 can result in normocytic anemia – your red blood cells are the right size, but you don’t have enough of them.

Folate for Anemia

Also known as folic acid or vitamin B9, folate works with vitamin B12 to control red blood cell size and function. Folate is easily obtained through diet, as fortified cereals and whole grains contain added folic acid. Some diseases that impact absorption in the gastrointestinal tract (such as celiac disease or Crohn’s) can result in folate deficiency.

Vitamin C for Anemia

Vitamin C assists in non-heme iron absorption. There are two types of iron: heme iron, which is found in animal products, and non-heme iron, which is located in plant- and animal-derived foods.

It used to be recommended to take iron supplements with orange juice to improve absorption. While newer studies suggest vitamin C may not be essential to enhancing dietary iron absorption, it’s still good for your immune system, so you can only benefit from increased vitamin C intake.

It is tough to develop vitamin C deficiency. However, symptoms of vitamin C deficiency (also known as scurvy) are severe.

Anemia and Vitamin D

Studies have shown a positive association between vitamin D and hemoglobin concentrations, especially in patients with other health conditions. Past studies have also shown a connection between anemia and low vitamin D levels in young children, further hinting at the important role vitamin D plays in metabolizing iron.

Iron for Anemia

As previously mentioned, the most common type of anemia is caused by insufficient iron. The National Institutes of Health report the recommended daily iron intake for adult men as 8mg and 18mg for women. It’s important that people who menstruate get enough iron through diet or vitamins as the blood loss while menstruating also decreases the amount of iron in the body.

There are multiple iron supplements available, each with a different amount of elemental iron (the iron your body can absorb). The most common types are ferrous sulfate, ferrous fumarate, and ferrous gluconate.

Iron supplement side effects

While a health professional may recommend iron supplements (especially if you need to increase your iron stores), oral iron supplements have restrictions and potential gastrointestinal side effects.

Milk, calcium supplements, antacids, and caffeine are taken simultaneously (or within a few hours) of your iron supplement can inhibit iron absorption. For best absorption, supplements should be taken on an empty stomach, but depending on the dosage and type of iron, this may cause nausea, diarrhea, or constipation.

The Best IV Therapy for Anemia

Vitamin-deficiency anemia should be treated according to the specific deficiency and its cause. Vitamin B12 or folate replacement may be appropriate when deficiency is confirmed, while iron deficiency requires iron replacement. An IV vitamin drip should not be presented as the best or routine treatment for anemia.

Evaluation can identify whether iron, vitamin B12, folate, or another factor is contributing to anemia. Treatment is then directed at the diagnosed cause rather than using a standard vitamin cocktail.

Why trust IV Vitamin Therapy with vitamins for anemia?

Our Beverly Hills practice evaluates anemia based on symptoms, medical history, medications, and appropriate laboratory testing. If iron deficiency is confirmed and IV iron is clinically appropriate, treatment is provided through our dedicated iron-infusion service with formulation-specific dosing and monitoring. Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency is treated separately when indicated. Treatment should not promise an immediate sense of well-being.

Response to treatment depends on the diagnosis, severity of deficiency, therapy selected, and individual patient factors; benefits should not be described as immediate. IV iron is administered in the Beverly Hills office with appropriate clinical monitoring rather than as a routine wellness infusion.

Vitamins for anemia near me

Busy? We’ll come to you. Many of our clients who prefer to receive injections in the privacy of a home or office can choose our popular concierge house call service for mobile IVs.

IV Vitamin Therapy is conveniently located in Beverly Hills and can come to your home or office throughout the Los Angeles area. We serve patients near Beverly Hills, Bel Air, West Hollywood, Santa Monica, West Los Angeles, Culver City, Hollywood, Venice, Marina del Rey, Malibu, Manhattan Beach, Redondo Beach, Downtown Los Angeles, Encino, Woodland Hills, Sherman Oaks, Calabasas, Burbank, Glendale, Hidden Hills, Agoura Hills, Northridge, North Hollywood, Topanga, Canoga Park, Reseda, Valley Glen, Chatsworth, West Hills, Winnetka, Universal City, Silverlake, Echo Park, and many more.

Book now at 877-760-3564