Vitamin IV Therapy: Pros And Cons

Intravenous (IV) therapy is a therapeutic technique in which fluids, vitamins, and other medications are delivered directly to the vein via a needle or catheter. IV therapy is customized to individual patient needs and conditions and has a wide range of applications. It has been used for everything from treating specific conditions such as migraines to optimizing health by boosting immunity and energy levels.

Vitamin IV therapy focuses specifically on administering optimal levels of specific vitamins and nutrients. While IV therapy can greatly improve quality of life for some, it is not right for everyone. Severe medical conditions cannot be treated with IV therapy alone, and may even put you at a heightened risk for complications. Below, we’ll go over the pros and cons of vitamin IV therapy to help you decide whether treatment is right for you.

vitamin iv therapy pros and cons

The Pros

Delivers Essential Nutrients Quickly And Directly

With traditional oral supplements, vitamins must be processed through the digestive system and liver before being absorbed by your bloodstream. Vitamins are not fully absorbed as a lot is lost during digestion. With IV therapy, vitamins enter directly into the bloodstream, meaning you get both a faster and higher dosage.

You feel the effects of a vitamin-boost much faster with IV therapy. You may notice things like increased energy and a better mood right away. Plus, when you’re sick your digestive system may also be affected, making it even harder for your body to absorb essential vitamins. IV therapy can often help treat illnesses faster than other treatment options.

Highly Customizable

During IV therapy, your practitioner takes your body composition, current health, and individual needs into consideration before coming up with a specific cocktail for you. You get the exact vitamins you need at the exact right dosage.

Symptoms unrelated to a specific disorder – like fatigue, depression, and low stamina – are often potentially related to a mild vitamin or nutrient deficiency, which may go overlooked during traditional blood work. A highly customized IV therapy program can address these deficiencies and leave you feeling much better physically.

Benefits Your Health In Multiple Ways

By directly delivering essential vitamins to the body, IV therapy improves your health in more than one way. While your practitioner may develop a cocktail for you to address a specific problem, better health overall is often a secondary effect of IV therapy.

IV therapy can boost your immune system, help you maintain a healthy weight, provide you with natural energy, promote better cardiovascular health, combat the effects of aging, and much, much more. It can also be used to improve symptoms of notoriously hard-to-treat chronic conditions such as Crohn’s disease. As a result, patients sometimes see an improvement in general health as a result of IV therapy.

Prevents Future Health Problems

Related to the above point, IV therapy can have a remarkably positive effect on your health. Optimal levels of vitamins and nutrients mean you’re less likely to develop health problems in the future.

A strong immune system and good cardiovascular health both reduce your likelihood of developing a wide array of diseases. Plus, IV therapy can also help you recover quicker after workouts. This allows you to amp up your exercise routine, also great for your long-term fitness and well-being. 

The Cons

Risk Of Infection And Scarring

While risks in IV therapy are very low, they are not non-existent. Any shot or injectable carries some risk for infection, and some patients experience scarring near the injection site, especially if undergoing multiple rounds of IV therapy.

These risks can be mitigated by working with a qualified professional who conducts IV therapy in a sanitary environment. Fortunately these negative outcomes are exceptionally unlikely.

May Be Inadequate For Certain Conditions

IV therapy is not considered an adequate treatment for serious, chronic health conditions such as cancer and cardiovascular disease. While IV therapy may be good supplemental treatment, it is typically used to help manage symptoms rather than treating the underlying disease.

If you have a severe, life-threatening medical condition, talk to your practitioner about whether IV therapy could help. Some conditions may put patients at an increased risk of complications due to IV therapy, meaning they’re not good candidates for treatment.  

Complications Can Sometimes Be Serious

This is yet another reason to make sure you’re working with a reputable provider. If you’re not getting the right levels of vitamins and nutrients during IV therapy, serious complications can arise. High levels of vitamin A, for example, can cause headaches and dizziness and too much potassium can interfere with electrolyte balance, potentially leading to a heart attack.

Also if you have preexisting medical conditions, such as renal failure, IV therapy may be contraindicated.

Contact your practitioner right away if you notice concerning symptoms like shortness of breath, chest pain, or lightheadedness. IV therapy is not meant for long-term use and is not a substitute for a healthy lifestyle.

Is IV Therapy Right For Me?

If you are interested in IV therapy, have a conversation with your general practitioner first. They can advise you on whether you would benefit from treatment and whether it would be safe for you given your current health. They may also be able to refer you to a reputable provider in your area.

Remember, working with a qualified practitioner is the best way to reduce your risk for complications during IV therapy. A good provider will conduct an extensive consultation beforehand and take a close look at your medical history to ensure you’re a good candidate.

vitamin iv therapy pros and cons: The Bottom Line 

IV therapy can administer optimal levels of fluids, nutrients, vitamins, and sometimes medications directly to your body. It can be used to treat a wide variety of conditions, and also improves your general health. While not every patient is a good candidate for IV therapy, many people find the pros greatly outweigh the risks.

At CORR, our team of medical professionals have extensive experience in a variety of innovative therapeutic techniques, including IV therapy. Reach out here if you are interested in learning more.