Vitamin IV Therapy is the new wave, but what you don’t know can hurt you
Professor Kimmel wants everyone who is currently using IV vitamin therapy or considering it to be well informed. Many people have stated that they feel amazing upon receiving vitamin IV therapy. Professor Kimmel states; “Dose the average consumer really understand the risks involved with intravenous fluids?” Professor Kimmel wants to alert Americans that they should do their due diligence when deciding whether or not to get vitamin infusions, because it can be dangerous when performed by non-licensed personnel.
The number of non-licensed health care workers performing clinical skills only performed by licensed medical professionals is continually widening due to shortages in the medical work force. Hospitals are notorious for placing advanced medical tasks in the hands of those without the education and credentials so as to save money. When it comes to the average consumer, they are typically not aware of what skills can or cannot be performed by a non-licensed professional versus a registered nurse or physician. Professor Kimmel expressed her concern for the American people who have vitamin infusion therapy performed by unlicensed personnel. Professor Kimmel stated: “Any type of IV infusion must be first ordered by a physician and then administered by a registered nurse, paramedic or physician assistant. Although some medical assistants have been known to start IV’s, they are usually done in the emergency room under the supervision of a nurse. Therefore, consumers must be aware what the qualifications are of the person starting their vitamin infusion. Complications such as extravasation and infiltration. The difference between these is that extravasation is caused by a vesicant fluid that causes tissue damage, whereas infiltration is caused by non-vesicant fluid which causes edema and fluid buildup under the skin.”
Writing this article required quite a bit of research in the field of infusion. There is a great deal of critical thinking involved in choosing the needle gauge, drip rate and tubing diameter. The medical professional must also consider the age of the patient, diameter of the vein and the patient’s medical condition. Professor Kimmel states: “Not taking the diameter of the agio catheter into consideration based upon the patient’s veins can cause rupture of the vein and perhaps phlebitis or necrosis of the underlying skin. This constitutes a medical emergency. The person performing the infusion must watch their patient closely during their infusion to make sure that they are not experiencing any heart related issues such as palpitations or chest pain. This can be caused from fluid volume overload.
Based upon Professor Kimmel’s concerns it is evident that there is a lot of risk associated with something as simple as a vitamin infusion. According to several of the vitamin infusion spas, the actually process is only thirty minutes from start to finish. They stated that they did not have any complications associated with their clients and most of their clients are regular customers.
Professor Kimmel states: “The medical aspects of starting an IV requires in-depth knowledge of the anatomy of the vein and the circulatory system. The practitioner must know that permanent damage can occur to a nerve when starting an IV in the hand. But there is much more to the specialization of vitamin infusion. The fluids themselves can be toxic if the patient has not first had blood work completed. There are certain vitamins that are water soluble and those that are not. If a patient receives too much of a particular vitamin it can cause renal failure.”
The vitamins that Professor Kimmel was referring to are the fat-soluble vitamins which are vitamins D, E, A and K. Each of these can be toxic in even small amounts. These vitamins are not typically transfused during an infusion due to their lethality at high concentration. Most of the vitamins infused consist of water-soluble vitamins such as vitamin B, C, glutathione and many other combinations.
When medication such as a vitamin is administered via intravenous infusion the vitamin bypasses the first pass effect of being metabolized by the liver. Both dietary forms of folate and cobalamin exert their beneficial effects by being metabolized via the liver thus promoting gut health. Vitamin B 12 is also called cobalamin. This is found in foods such as red meat, chicken and dairy products. Folate or Vitamin B9 is a natural vitamin found in green leafy vegetables. Folic acid is the manmade form of the vitamin, though they both have the same effect.
Our intestinal bacteria synthesize both vitamins. The upper intestinal bacteria produce folate while cobalamin requires a luminal binding protein whereas folate does not. Administration of Vitamin B 12 or hydroxocobalamin is rapidly excreted in the urine when administered, nullifying is nutritional effects.
The importance of monitory blood values such as hematocrit, reticulocyte count, Vitamin B12, folate and iron will let the medical practitioner know if vitamin therapy is even necessary. Patients with impaired renal function could suffer levels of toxicity if not carefully monitored. This can happen at even low dosages.
Vitamin B12 depends on the presence of sufficient intrinsic factor and calcium ions. Vitamin B12 is bound to the intrinsic factor during transit through the stomach. Then separation occurs in the terminal ileum in the presence of calcium. Vitamin B12 then enters the mucosal cell for absorption.
Professor Kimmel stated: “Patients with early Leber’s disease which is a type of hereditary optic nerve atrophy, can suffer immediate optic atrophy when administered Vitamin B12.”
When it comes to which is better, oral vitamins or parenteral administration the jury is out, since there is no definitive data to determine which is best. While obviously it is cheaper to simply take vitamins, the parenteral route offers faster and swifter administration to the desired site, but is it worth the risk?
Professor Kimmel states: “Typically, IV infusion of cobalamin occurs when a person does not have the proper absorptive mechanisms in their gut to process and use the vitamin. While an infusion is faster, the typical route for those deficient in vitamin B12 is a intramuscular injection. Deficiencies in Vitamin B12 can cause anemia, but excess concentrations can also be harmful. While there are many other water-soluble vitamins and cocktails of vitamins infused in these clinics, it is important that customers familiarize themselves with the dangers associated with each. The best advice is to seek your physician’s advice before just showing up at an IV infusion spa. Don’t let them talk you into something that could actually be harmful, and above all make sure that the person who is starting the IV is a licensed medical professional.”
In closing, Professor Kimmel wants people to be aware of the dangers associated with IV vitamin infusion. As presented in this press release the dangers and uses are presented and the consumer is left to determine if vitamin therapy would be beneficial versus taking vitamins the oral route. However, being knowledgeable is the key to truly being healthy.
Nancy L. Kimmel obtained her PhD in Environmental Engineering in 2002, then went on to teach Physics and Mechanical Engineering at Lawrence Technological University, Henry Ford College and Oakland University. She obtained her Associate in Nursing from Henry Ford College and then went on to earn her Master Degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner and became Board Certified working as a licensed FNP in the State of Michigan. She then went on to Medical School where she is now in her 3rd year, and is also in the process of obtaining her Doctorate in Nursing Practice through Chamberlin University. She has authored the NET Study Guide, as well a several books on subjects of Math, ECG/EKG and Phlebotomy. She holds a patent on an Air Filter through the U.S. Patent Office.