Intravenous Micronutrient Therapy (IVMT)

What is Intravenous Micronutrient Therapy (IVMT)?

Intravenous micronutrient therapy (IVMT) is a formula of intravenous vitamins and minerals. Many patients who find relief with these infusions sought continued treatments. The “IVMT” includes magnesium, calcium, B-vitamins (including B12), and Vitamin C and is given by a slow infusion to achieve concentrations of nutrients that are not obtainable with oral administration between 30- 60 minutes. For certain patients, this treatment can be seen as a multivitamin administered directly into the bloodstream. If patients have difficulty digesting food or for another reason do not receive full benefit from taking vitamin pills, they may respond well to an IV nutritional regimen. For other patients, this therapy provides a targeted treatment for a variety of medical conditions.

Who needs it?

Clinical experience with over 15,000 infusions of IVMT has suggested that it can be clinically effective against acute asthma attacks, migraines, fatigue (including chronic fatigue syndrome), fibromyalgia, acute muscle spasms, colds, chronic sinusitis, seasonal allergies, chronic depression/anxiety, and other disorders. A recent randomized controlled study conducted by Yale investigators evaluated the effect of the IVMT on patients with fibromyalgia. They found that weekly infusions led to clinically significant improvement in tender points, pain, depression, and quality of life directly following treatment, with sustained improvement even after four weeks from the last infusion, but the results did not achieve statistical significance in this study.

Safety

IVMT uses vitamins and minerals that have known nutritional benefits and low potential for serious side effects. Patients who receive treatments may experience a sensation of heat, which is likely due to magnesium. Magnesium may also cause lower blood pressure with lightheadedness if administered too rapidly. Some patients, such as those taking digoxin, should avoid treatment and a physician’s evaluation is needed to ensure its safety. All IV infusions share the risks of pain, infection, or inflammation at the injection site.

Procedure

We will check your electrolyte levels, especially magnesium and calcium before starting your series of infusions. You will be offered a referral to a nutritionist for evaluation of your diet. Our protocol includes four weekly IVMT infusions for twelve weeks. The patients who experience relief with this treatment usually see an improvement after six weeks. After the 12 week protocol is completed, a maintenance program is continued as needed, which usually entails two monthly IVMT cocktail IV infusions. Since this medication is administered intravenously, you will need to set aside some time for the infusion to be completed. This treatment is given in the office. It will start through an IV in a vein in your arm. This will hurt, a little more than a simple puncture for blood drawing, and the IV can be placed in your hand, forearm, or the bend of the elbow. It is advised that you drink plenty of fluids before the appointment and dress warm so that your IV will be more easily inserted. Once an IV line has been established, the technician will hang the bag of medication on a pole and hook it into the IV line. You may feel a cold, tingling sensation as the fluid infuses into your arm. If you feel burning, tightness, or see redness or swelling, you should tell the technician. This could indicate that the IV is leaking into the surrounding tissue. Most infusions are completed within an hour. When it is complete, the IV will be removed, and a small bandage will be placed over the insertion site. You will have no restrictions following the infusion.

Your insurance may not cover this treatment, so you will be asked to sign a waiver stating you will be responsible for whatever your insurance company does not pay.