Cost-Effectiveness of IV Iron Treatment

Recent research reported by the American Society of Hematology (ASH) highlights the benefits of intravenous (IV) iron therapy over traditional oral iron supplementation for women with iron deficiency anemia (IDA) associated with heavy menstrual bleeding. According to the study published in Blood Advances, a single dose of IV iron dextran was shown to be the most cost-effective treatment option for this population, delivering significant improvements in quality of life while remaining within acceptable economic thresholds for health systems.

Heavy menstrual bleeding can lead to chronic iron loss, fatigue, and other debilitating symptoms that affect everyday life. While oral iron is often used first due to its low upfront cost and easy access, it is frequently poorly absorbed and can cause gastrointestinal side effects, reducing its effectiveness. In contrast, IV iron is fully absorbed and generally well tolerated, helping to more rapidly restore iron levels and reduce symptoms.

The analysis compared multiple treatment strategies, including IV iron dextran, IV iron sucrose, and oral ferrous sulfate, across the reproductive lifespan of women with IDA. Across various scenarios, IV iron dextran consistently provided the greatest value, balancing healthcare costs with gains in healthy life years, as measured by quality-adjusted life years (QALYs).

These findings suggest that for patients with significant iron deficiency, particularly those with ongoing heavy menstrual bleeding, earlier adoption of IV iron therapy may not only improve clinical outcomes but also offer a cost-effective approach from a societal and healthcare perspective.

Source: American Society of Hematology, news release, Jan. 8, 2026