Frequently Asked Questions

* 100% delivery of vitamins and minerals directly into your bloodstream.

* Provides instant hydration.

* Bypasses the digestive system (gut) and improves the absorption of nutrients.

* Delivers faster effects of vitamins, minerals, amino acids, and other substances that keep the building blocks of good health.

* Beneficial for people with malabsorption of nutrients (i.e. gut disorders).

* Beneficial for improved recovery post-surgical intervention.

* Allows higher doses of active ingredients that last longer, accommodating a busy lifestyle.

* Intravenous nutritional therapy helps enhance the immune system, provides mood support, enhances brain function, improves energy levels, and offers better overall health and well-being.

Treatments generally take about 45 minutes but can take longer depending on the individual and treatment being provided. In all, you should plan on the appointment taking about an hour. 

The IV therapy treatment that you receive depends on your unique health concerns and what you would like to address. Our medical team can recommend treatments based on your lifestyle goals and can tailor your IV based on your individual needs.

We recommend IV therapy for professionals, athletes, students, families, and anyone that would like to improve their overall health. If you’re wondering whether a specific treatment is right for you, please contact us and we’ll be glad to answer any questions.

This depends on the setting and the reason for the treatment.

IV Therapy at Atheria Wellness is not for:

* Patients under the immediate influence of alcohol or drugs.

* Patients with allergies to any of the active ingredients.

* Patients with any form of severe and/or chronic illness and diseases (e.g chronic kidney disease, chronic liver disease, heart failure) should seek consultation with their specialist prior to booking an IV treatment. 

Contact us to discuss if an Atheria treatment is right for you!

Yes! IV therapy has been safely practiced for over 100 years. Our IVs are administered by a medical professional who has the appropriate training, licensing, and proven experience in intravenous therapy. All our medical personnel are licensed nurses or nurse practitioners. Our medical team has years of experience working in hospitals and clinics. 

Our staff follow strict protocols and procedures ensuring safety during the IV process.

It is an IV, so slight pain from the needle is possible but most find it barely noticeable.

IV Vitamin Therapy can be a one-off to recover from an illness, jet lag or other life circumstance, or may become part of your overall wellness routine. The noticeable physical effects tend to last up to 10 days and it is suggested to return every four to six weeks for optimal benefit.

If you have chronic conditions such as heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, and/or on-going cancer treatment we encourage you to discuss IV therapy with your specialist prior to your initial consultation with our team. IV therapy is considered an alternative medicine and while the benefits of IV therapy are very well documented in literature, the decision to proceed with therapy is highly individualized. 

We recommend that our patients spread out the frequency of their IV therapy by a minimum of four weeks. If we are specifically treating a deficiency, we may be able to perform more frequent IV administrations but may require routine laboratory workup.

No referral is needed. Atheria Wellness accepts self-referrals, making it easier and faster to access IV iron therapy without waiting for a doctor’s note.

Yes. We require recent blood work to ensure that an iron infusion is safe and appropriate for you. Specifically, we need results for ferritin and hemoglobin completed within the last 3 months. To be considered for treatment, your ferritin must be below 100.

Please note: Atheria Wellness does not provide lab requisitions. These tests must be ordered by your family doctor, nurse practitioner, or another healthcare provider. If you don’t have recent results, we’re happy to guide you on how to obtain them.

The total cost of treatment is divided into three parts:

• Virtual consultation: $50

• Iron infusion appointment: $350 (includes nursing, administration, monitoring, etc.)

• Medication (Monoferric): $530 without insurance coverage. The medication is billed separately by our partner pharmacy, which will contact you directly to arrange payment.

We do not offer direct billing at this time. However, we provide detailed receipts for the consultation and infusion fee that you can submit to your insurance provider for reimbursement, depending on your coverage.

Atheria Wellness partners with a dedicated pharmacy that supplies your IV iron medication (such as Monoferric). Once your treatment is approved, the pharmacy will contact you directly to confirm your details and arrange delivery of the medication directly to the clinic.

The best part? The pharmacy accepts most insurance plans and can often bill your insurer directly for the cost of the medication. This helps minimize out-of-pocket expenses. If direct billing isn’t available through your plan, they will provide a receipt you can use for reimbursement.

Yes, you can eat before your infusion — in fact, we encourage it! Have a light, balanced meal beforehand and be sure to drink at least 2 litres of water in the 24 hours leading up to your appointment to help with vein access and hydration.

We also recommend avoiding caffeine, salty foods, and fried foods for 24 hours before your infusion, as these can affect hydration and how you feel during treatment.

We recommend wearing comfortable clothing with loose sleeves that can easily roll up above your elbow for easy IV access. Layers are a good idea, as the clinic can feel cool during treatment.

To make your visit more comfortable, please bring:

• A water bottle

• A light snack (especially if you didn’t eat beforehand)

• A book, tablet, or headphones — whatever helps you relax

You'll be seated in a comfortable chair for about an hour, so feel free to bring anything that helps you pass the time comfortably.

A Monoferric Iron infusion typically takes 30–60 minutes, depending on your individual treatment plan and vein access. You can expect to be in the clinic for approximately 60 - 90 minutes total, which includes a brief check-in, setup, and monitoring afterward to ensure you're feeling well before you leave.

Most patients tolerate the infusion very well, and our team is there to support you every step of the way in our calm, comfortable clinic setting.

We use Monoferric® (ferric derisomaltose) for our IV iron infusions. Monoferric is a modern, well-tolerated iron formulation that allows for full iron replacement in a single visit for most patients. It has a strong safety profile, minimal side effects, and is widely used across Canada for treating iron deficiency anemia.

Please note: At this time, Monoferric infusions at Atheria are only available to patients over 18 years old and who are not pregnant.

Most people tolerate Monoferric infusions very well, but as with any medication, side effects are possible. Common side effects may include:

• Headache

• Nausea

• Dizziness

• Metallic taste

• Temporary flushing or warmth

• Mild tenderness or bruising at the injection site

These symptoms are typically mild and short-lived. Serious allergic reactions are rare, but our team monitors you closely throughout the infusion and is trained to respond immediately if needed. Your comfort and safety are our top priority.

For most patients, the benefits of an iron infusion can last 6 to 12 months, depending on your iron levels, overall health, and ongoing iron loss (such as heavy periods or chronic conditions). Many patients require only one infusion per year to maintain healthy iron stores.

Iron deficiency is diagnosed through blood tests, primarily by measuring two key markers: ferritin and transferrin saturation.

• Ferritin is a protein that stores iron in your body, mainly in the liver. A ferritin level below 100 often indicates that your iron stores are low.

• Transferrin saturation (TSAT) reflects how much iron is bound and being transported in your blood. In iron deficiency, TSAT is typically low, meaning transferrin is “empty” and not carrying enough iron to where it’s needed, like your bone marrow.

These tests provide a clear picture of your body’s iron status and help determine whether an iron infusion may be beneficial.

The average adult body contains about 3,000 mg (3 grams) of iron, most of which is stored in red blood cells and muscles. The spleen also plays a key role by recycling iron from old red blood cells to help maintain healthy levels.

To stay in balance, the body typically needs 8–27 mg of dietary iron per day, depending on your age, sex, and life stage (such as menstruation or pregnancy). If your iron stores become depleted, you may need significantly more — often through supplements or infusions — to restore optimal levels.

Iron infusions are a safe and effective way to quickly replenish low iron stores — especially when oral supplements aren’t working or can’t be tolerated.

You might consider an iron infusion if you:

• Have low ferritin or hemoglobin

• Experience symptoms like fatigue, brain fog, hair thinning, or shortness of breath

• Can’t absorb iron well due to digestive conditions

• Have heavy periods or chronic blood loss

• Have side effects from oral iron (e.g., constipation, nausea)

• Need to restore iron levels quickly due to upcoming surgery, pregnancy planning, or athletic demands

Iron infusions bypass the digestive system, allowing your body to absorb and use the iron immediately and efficiently.