<<Disclaimer: Verify this information before applying it to your situation.>>

Thanks for all the responses to my question about gluten in IV iron.

After careful consideration of the responses and a little research on
the internet, I decided to have the infusion, had no problems, and
actually started feeling a little better during the treatment.

Of 15 responses:
5 said there was no gluten in IV iron;
3 said no IV medications contain gluten;
3 said even if IV medications did contain gluten, gluten would have to
come in contact with the gut to cause a problem, though 1 was not
sure if that would apply to DH patients;
3 had to have multiple treatments, from 2 to 12;
5 warned of other complications;
1 took benedryl several days after each infusion to counteract allergic
reactions;
1 was hospitalized overnight after having a seizure and blacking out;
1 was hospitalized 3 days when she passed out and was in a lot of
pain because an infusion was administered in 1 hour instead of the
recommended 3-4 hours;
1 said their doctor believed infusions were too dangerous and gove
iron shots instead;
2 said they had no reactions;
1 said he had 2 friends who had no reactions;
3 specifically said they felt better;
and 3 just wrote to ask how I was feeling.

One person informed me that there are different forms, which helped
my decision. There are two brands of dextran, INFeD and Dexferrum.
Dextran was the only form available in the United States until 1999
and has caused some fatilities as well as allergic reactions and other
problems including seizures and severe low blood pressure. It
requires a test dose and is still the most widely used form of iron
infusion.

I received Ferrlecit, the sodium ferric gluconate form.  No fatailities
have been reported with this form, and it is good for people with
connective tissue disorders because it doesn't cause joint pain.
Though no test dose is required, the hospital ran one on me because
I had never had an iron infusion.

Venofer is iron sucrose. No test dose is required. It usually gets the
job done with a lower dose.  Though also considered safer than
dextran, Venofer has a greater potential of causing oxidative stress in
which prooxidants outnumber antioxidants.  The result can be DNA
damage and the creation of toxic byproducts.  Venofer also is more
expensive.

Jacquie Maxwell

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