Iron Clinic & Infusion Services

The Clinic is MBS-funded, address referral to: “MBS Iron Clinic – Dr Prasanna Rodrigo”.

Please use the BHS SMART referral template where possible and fax referrals to (03) 5320 4822.

Information required on referral:

• Indication for the iron infusion, including urgency and symptomology
• A copy of RECENT FBE, iron studies (Ferritin NOT Iron) and any investigations performed to determine underlying aetiology. This may include celiac screening, faecal occult blood tests and pelvic ultrasounds (when indicated) and previous or planned endoscopies
• The presence of ongoing overt bleeding, ongoing inflammation (including inflammatory markers), heart failure, advanced renal disease or restless legs syndrome
• History of previous iron infusions
• Details of current or previous oral iron therapy. The date the patient was commenced on oral iron replacement, the dose and the exact preparations/s (or contraindications to oral iron)
• A detailed description of the side effects to iron if any
• Patient's height and weight. This is vital as the clinic is currently conducted via telehealth consultation. The dose of intravenous iron is mostly based on the ideal body weight
• Attach any available letters from specialists who may have recommended the iron infusion

Further information

Clinical Lead: Dr Prasanna Rodrigo, General Physician (03) 5320 4322

Specialist Clinics: GP Hotline (03) 5320 6800

Medical Day Unit: (03) 5320 6800

• Patients with equivocal iron studies results requiring further evaluation 
  • Haemoglobin <80 must send patient to  ED for blood transfusion AND refer to Iron Clinic
  • Haemoglobin <100 or severe symptoms = Urgent
  • Haemoglobin >100 and mild symptoms = Routine 1
• Patients with iron deficiency of unknown origin
• Confirmed iron deficiency with one of the following indications for intravenous iron replacement:
  • Demonstrated intolerance, non-compliance or lack of efficacy with oral iron, despite modification of dose, timing and frequency
  • Intestinal malabsorption (eg, inflammatory bowel disease)
  • Ongoing iron (ie, blood) losses that exceed absorptive capacity
  • A clinical need for a rapid iron supply (ie, in patients where optimisation of erythroid response is important to prevent physiological decompensation/ transfusion)

Patients that need blood transfusions (Haemoglobin under 80), refer to Emergency Department AND send Iron Clinic referral.

Iron deficiency in pregnancy should be discussed with the antenatal clinic.

Chronic kidney disease patients requiring erythropoiesis-stimulating agents are managed through the dialysis service and renal outpatient clinic.