Frequently Asked Questions

There are several ways that people refer to IV nutritional therapy. Some people call it IV vitamin therapy, while others call it IV micronutrient therapy. Regardless of name preference, the purpose remains the same: to provide supplemental vitamins and micronutrients into your body to improve the body’s state of health and overall well-being. IV stands for intravenous, meaning that the vitamins and micronutrients are administered into the body through the veins.

IV nutrient therapy administration has become increasingly popular in recent times. Some athletes receive intravenous vitamins after their games to help improve speed up their recovery. Another common reason people seek out IV vitamin therapy is in managing certain medical conditions; some studies that have been performed indicate that supplemental IV vitamin administration may help relieve symptoms of fibromyalgia, migraines, and hypertension, among others.

IV vitamin therapy is not a new concept; it has been in existence since the early 1960’s. One of the earliest types of IV Vitamin therapy developed was by the late Dr. Myers; he came up with the Myers’ Cocktail comprising magnesium, calcium, vitamin C, and other B-complex vitamins. Since the Myer’s Cocktail’s original development, many other combinations of IV Vitamin therapy have been developed.

That depends on your veins. People with smaller veins will have a slower flow rate to ensure comfort, while people with larger veins will infuse faster. For general safety, the infusion from start to finish takes between 45 minutes to an hour in most cases.

We chart or answer your questions.

Of course we can! The smallest needles we offer are used on infants in the hospital. But remember, a small needle will equate to a longer infusion time. Also, any needle is sharp on the end, so the size of the needle doesn’t affect the small pin prick of insertion. However, once we’re in the vein, we remove the metal needle and all that remains is a small plastic tube.

We understand no one likes needles, and causing extra pain isn’t going to help. Our nurses are all Vascular Access Board Certified (VABC), and are very experienced in IV insertion. We are also able to utilize ultrasound technology to visualize your veins in the event we aren’t able to locate one by sight or touch. Most insertions are successful on the first try.

This answer depends on you and your health goals and some personal health factors. Speak to your nurse at the time of your infusion to determine a good schedule to optimize your health per your treatment protocol.

A layperson may be interested in finding out if IV Vitamin therapy is beneficial for them. However, given the fact that there are many types of intravenous micronutrients available, a patient should consult with their healthcare provider first. After performing an assessment, a healthcare provider is able to recommend what combination of vitamins and minerals a patient needs to achieve their health goals. Additionally discussed are the types of IV Vitamin therapy available, risks and benefits of its use, components of IV Vitamin compounds, as well as some common use cases. If someone is wondering if IV therapy is right for them, they should consult with their doctor first.

Once your body has absorbed all it can, it will eliminate out the rest through your urine. It is completely normal for your urine to look and smell like flintstone vitamins for up to 12 hours after your infusion.

The bag of fluids is at room temperature and most of the ingredients are refrigerated. Because the entire infusion is below body temperature, many clients report feeling cool or cold. This is very normal and expected. Clients are encouraged to bring a sweater or blanket with them at the time of infusion.

Intravenous vitamin infusions are generally safe, with minimal side effects. When they do occur, the side effects are usually a mild skin irritation at the site of injection which resolves quickly. In addition, some side effects may occur because of a hypersensitivity reaction to one or more of the ingredients in an infusion. For example, magnesium in an infusion bag may cause a flushing sensation around the head, neck, and chest areas. Glutathione is another ingredient which can sometimes make you flush. Side effects are very mild and resolve quickly. If you are concerned during your infusion, we can slow down the infusion, or stop it completely.

IV fluids often remain in the body for a few hours after absorption. However, the nutrients, vitamins, minerals, and electrolytes in the infusion may stay in your body for days, weeks, or even months. This is very dependent on your body’s requirements and the sort of IV infusion you receive. Several key aspects and biological processes influence the length of time IV fluid remains in your body, such as metabolic rate, hydration status, and current illness.

• Most people generally consume their vitamins and micronutrients through their food; some people may also take additional multivitamin supplements. When vitamins, micronutrients, and water are ingested orally, they go down to the stomach and intestines, where they are broken down by gastrointestinal enzymes and then absorbed into the bloodstream. There is a limit to how fast these substances can be absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, and unfortunately, only about 20% of the nutrients we ingest orally are absorbed. Other factors that impact the amount of vitamins absorbed from the intestine are an individual’s metabolism, age, genetics, and interactions with other orally consumed products.
• Ultimately, a significant amount of the orally ingested vitamins and micronutrients is lost, and only small amounts pass to the rest of the body. As with most of the vitamins and micronutrients going to waste, the body does not derive the full benefits of these substances when they are orally ingested as food or other supplements.
• IV fluids are retained and passed through your body differently from fluids obtained by ingesting. An IV drip infusion accomplishes the following tasks:
• It delivers water, critical nutrients, and medication straight to your circulation, allowing them to reach your organs and body cells easily.
• IV drip infusions, unlike drinking, do not push water through your digestive tract. This means you keep the nutrients and electrolytes that would otherwise be lost during digestion.
• IV drip treatment can help with pain management, immune system support, and gut health enhancement. Although IV fluids are only in your body for a few hours, the effects continue long after the fluids are removed. They also provide a more efficient method of rehydrating.