How IV Therapy Works: What to Expect
- December 5, 2022
- Written by : Rebecca LaMarca, MSN, APN-BC, CNS
Quick Answer
IV therapy delivers vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients directly into the bloodstream through an IV catheter, bypassing the digestive system for 90 to 100% absorption versus 20 to 50% from oral supplements. At IV Elements, ER-trained nurses personalize every infusion using your health history, goals, and when needed, lab data, at four flagship NJ lounges or via mobile service across NJ, NYC, Philadelphia, and Bucks County, PA.
What Is IV Therapy?
IV therapy, short for intravenous therapy, is a method of delivering fluids, nutrients, medications, or other substances directly into a vein. This delivery method is also used widely in conventional medical settings to deliver electrolyte replacement, hydration, medication administration, and nutritional support. IV vitamin drip therapy uses this same delivery method to administer a combination of fluids and nutrients. IV drips can include vitamin C, B vitamins, magnesium, glutathione, electrolytes, and amino acids. The exact combination varies depending on the plan our team helps to create for you, as each intravenous vitamin infusion can be customized based on your health goals and history.The Difference Between IV and Oral Delivery
While some people prefer to take nutrients orally, there is a big distinction between the two delivery methods. An oral vitamin must pass through the stomach and intestines before it is absorbed, while an IV infusion places the nutrients and substances directly into the bloodstream, allowing the body to absorb more nutrients quickly. Vitamin C is a clear example of this difference. According to the NIH Office of Dietary Supplements, oral vitamin C reaches a relatively limited maximum plasma concentration. Oral vitamin absorption typically ranges from 20 to 50% depending on the nutrient and gut health, while IV administration achieves 90 to 100% bioavailability since nutrients bypass the digestive system entirely. This allows your body to absorb much more vitamin C than oral supplementation can deliver.What Happens During an IV Therapy Session?
At IV Elements, your ER-trained nurse will discuss the available options best suited for you after reviewing your medical history, current and past medications, any symptoms, and health goals before your treatment starts. This assessment allows our team to find the best customized IV plan for you, and with this information, we will have the full context to help you achieve your health goals. When additional information is needed, lab work can also be considered to give us more in-depth detail and background on your health history. Lab results can provide information about certain aspects of your health and nutritional status, and are incorporated alongside your medical history and details. Treatment is available at our drip lounges in Hoboken, Asbury Park, Parsippany, and Marlton, or through mobile IV therapy available across New Jersey, New York City, Philadelphia, and Bucks County, PA. Once your plan has been selected and tailored to your needs after careful medical review, your vitals are checked and monitored during the intravenous vitamin infusion. Your nurse will place an IV catheter into a vein, typically in your arm or hand. The catheter connects to sterile tubing and an IV bag with your selected infusion ingredients. The fluid then flows through the tubing and into your bloodstream at a controlled and monitored rate.What’s in an IV Drip?
What is in an IV drip depends on the specific treatment and health goals you are looking for. When it comes to selecting the perfect customized drip plan, everyone is different. At IV Elements, we offer an array of IV drip options with a large menu of different selections. The menu includes options such as Hydroboost, Myers Cocktail, Skin Brightening, Migraine Relief, Performance Recovery, Immunity Support, and much more. Some of the nutrients we offer in these IV drips include:- B-complex vitamins: B vitamins are involved in energy metabolism, nervous system function, DNA synthesis, and other essential biological processes.
- Vitamin C: Vitamin C is an essential nutrient involved in collagen production, antioxidant function, and normal immune function. IV administration can produce much higher plasma levels of vitamin C than oral administration.
- Magnesium: Magnesium is one of the most essential minerals in the body, responsible for normal muscle and nerve function, energy production, and electrolyte balance.
- Glutathione: Glutathione is a master antioxidant that supports cellular detoxification, immune function, and skin health. It is a signature add-on at IV Elements.
Which IV Is Right for You?
The right IV therapy selection depends on a few different factors, including your health history, health goals, and the ingredients in the IV. We offer several formulas and booster options, which are all mostly customizable to achieve your goals. The goal is not to choose the most interesting drip, but to understand which treatment is most relevant to your needs.| Goal | IV Elements Treatment/Ingredients | What It Focuses On |
|---|---|---|
| Hydration | Hydroboost IV: Electrolytes, vitamins, and amino acids | Increases energy, hydration, replenishes essential vitamins and minerals, supports detoxification |
| Energy and nutrient support | Myers Cocktail: Vitamin C, B vitamins, magnesium, and calcium gluconate | Improved energy, clears brain fog, supports immune function, anti-inflammatory |
| Immune support | Immunity Support IV: B-complex vitamins, vitamin C, zinc | Supports cellular repair, immune function, and illness recovery |
| Exercise and recovery | Athlete IV Drip: L-Carnitine, taurine, amino acids, vitamin C | Exercise recovery, reduced fatigue and inflammation after exercise, reduced muscle cramps, reduced dehydration |
| Skin support | Skin Brightening IV: Vitamin C, Glutathione Push | May help neutralize free radicals, enhance skin luminosity, improve skin elasticity, and reduce oxidation |
| Mind & Body | Mind & Body IV: Magnesium, taurine, zinc, vitamin C, B-complex vitamins | Supports relaxation, blood pressure regulation, insulin sensitivity, and thyroid function |
How Long Does IV Therapy Take?
Most IV therapy sessions range anywhere between 30 to 90 minutes, and the exact length depends on different variables including whether the appointment is in-lounge or at your home via the mobile service. Other factors such as a health history review, checking your vitals, or IV placement can also vary the session duration. At IV Elements, we offer IV treatment at our four New Jersey drip lounges in Hoboken, Asbury Park, Parsippany, and Marlton, with mobile service across NJ, NYC, Philadelphia, and Bucks County, PA. With the mobile service treatment option, an ER-trained nurse brings the equipment to your home or office to provide a convenient and relaxing IV drip session. Our team’s goal is to make every treatment as comfortable as possible.IV Therapy: Effects and Changes
It is important to have realistic expectations and understand the time it will take for IV therapy to make a change within your body. There is not a single timeline that works for everyone, and the response really depends on each individual. Factors that influence how quickly IV therapy can work include what is being administered, the quantity of fluid, why you are receiving it, how often you receive it, and your individual health and nutritional status. For example, if someone is dehydrated, intravenous fluids can provide a direct route for replacing fluid, which can lead to a quicker reaction from the body compared to other intravenous vitamin infusions. Typically, IV therapy effects can be felt almost immediately due to the nutrients bypassing your digestive tract and going straight to the bloodstream. While it can be different from person to person, clients typically notice the most change after repeated treatments, as this usually provides the most benefit. According to anecdotal reports from the National Library of Medicine, IV vitamin therapy may provide subjective improvements in energy levels, mental clarity, and overall well-being following administration.Key Takeaways
- IV therapy delivers vitamins, minerals, and other nutrients directly into the bloodstream, bypassing the digestive system for 90 to 100% absorption versus 20 to 50% from oral supplements.
- Most IV therapy sessions range from 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the formula, delivery method, and your personal health status.
- IV Elements offers a full menu of personalized IV drips including Hydroboost, Myers Cocktail, Immunity Support, Skin Brightening, and more.
- Every IV plan at IV Elements is personalized through consultation with ER-trained nurses, with optional lab work when clinically appropriate.
- IV therapy is available at four flagship New Jersey lounges and via mobile service across NJ, NYC, Philadelphia, and Bucks County, PA.
- Effects can often be felt during the session, with the most noticeable changes typically appearing after repeated treatments.
Hydrate With IV Elements Today
Choosing the right IV for you is more than just picking a formula from a menu. Your goals, health history, medications, and the ingredients in the infusion all make a difference, and finding the most relevant option for you is what our team at IV Elements does best. Shaped by founder Rebecca LaMarca, MSN, APN-BC, CNS, our integrative approach focuses on the root cause, not the diagnosis. Rebecca is PAAM-certified in mistletoe therapy, trained in Germany, and a member of the Society for Integrative Oncology (SIO), the Institute for Functional Medicine (IFM), and PAAM. Our ER-trained nurses take the time to learn more about you and tailor every treatment to your needs. Whether you are visiting our drip lounges in Hoboken, Asbury Park, Parsippany, or Marlton, or looking for mobile IV therapy available across New Jersey, New York City, Philadelphia, and Bucks County, PA, our team always has you covered.Ready to find the right IV therapy for your goals?
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IV therapy safe?↓
Yes, IV therapy is safe when administered by trained medical professionals. IV Elements was founded by Rebecca LaMarca, MSN, APN-BC, CNS, a board-certified nurse practitioner who leads the team’s integrative approach to care and IV therapy. Lab work, including G6PD screening before a high-dose vitamin C infusion, can be done as part of our health history review so our team of ER-trained nurses can provide you with the appropriate care and plan. Our team utilizes sterile techniques, monitoring during infusions, and checking your vital signs.
How often should you get IV therapy?↓
There is no standard schedule for IV therapy, and how often you go for treatment depends on the type of treatment, your health history, health goals, what is being administered, and your current health status. Our nurses can help you determine an appropriate treatment schedule based on your needs.
Is IV therapy right for me if I’m taking medication?↓
This can depend entirely on the type of medication you are taking and how much is being taken. Certain medications, supplements, and health conditions require additional precautions, so be sure to inform your nurse during the evaluation process with an accurate medication and supplement list before treatment.
Do I need lab work before my IV therapy session?↓
No, not always. Lab work may be recommended when it could provide useful information about your health history or nutritional status. While standard wellness sessions might not require lab work, high-dose nutrient mixtures or individuals looking for treatment for chronic health conditions require a careful pre-screening process.
Can I work during an IV infusion?↓
Yes. Whether you are at home or at one of our drip lounges, you will be able to read a book, work on a laptop, listen to music, or catch up on emails while one of our ER-trained nurses monitors the infusion and checks on your vitals.
Can I get IV therapy at home?↓
Yes. IV Elements offers mobile IV therapy across New Jersey, New York City, Philadelphia, and Bucks County, PA. An ER-trained nurse will come to your home or office with everything needed to deliver your personalized infusion safely and comfortably.
Does IV therapy hurt?↓
Most clients experience only a brief pinch during IV catheter placement, similar to a standard blood draw. Minor side effects can include slight bruising, mild soreness at the insertion site, or a cool sensation during the drip. Our ER-trained nurses are experienced in minimizing discomfort throughout the session.
References
1. National Institutes of Health, Office of Dietary Supplements. Vitamin C: Fact Sheet for Health Professionals. 2. National Library of Medicine. Micronutrient use in critical care: Survey of clinical practice. 3. National Library of Medicine. The Science Behind Intravenous Vitamin Therapy. 4. Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health. The Nutrition Source: Vitamins and Minerals. 5. Cedars-Sinai. IV Vitamin Therapy: Expert Advice. 6. IV Elements. The Specific Role of Vitamin Therapy in Different Diseases.
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