At North Star Family Medicine, we offer IV infusion services to assist patients with healing from acute illness (diarrhea, colds, influenza, COVID), chronic inflammation (Long Covid, Post Treatment Lyme Disease), and dehydration. The goal is to assist patients in receiving IVs in an outpatient setting versus an Emergency Room to reduce medical expenses. For example, and IV of Normal Saline costs $150 in our clinic versus the average Emergency Room Visit cost of $1,600 in Minnesota. Our nurses and staff are trained to evaluate patients who may require an Emergency Room Visit and refer to them if needed.
Our nutrient IV’s contain vitamins like what is commonly known as a “Banana Bag” at a health care system. The added vitamins and minerals provide nutrients to the body to facilitate healing. At North Star Family Medicine, we do not recommend IV’s multiple times weekly. The only IV we recommend twice is the Myers Cocktail, which assists with chronic inflammation in the body. We’ve found that repeating this IV a week later helps replenish nutrients and decrease symptoms of inflammation longer. I equate it to the vitamins being bricks to build a house. If you need bricks to build a house and have some but run out before you are finished building, a second delivery of bricks is required. We’ve noticed that the Myers Cocktail helps with fatigue and inflammation, but about 5-7 days later, patients have some milder symptoms. By providing the second dose, patients feel better longer.
At North Star Family Medicine, we give patients the full dose of the IV nutrient solutions. In other words, if we can give 1 mL to 5mL of solution, we administer the full 5mL to ensure the patient receives full benefits of the nutrients. In addition, we use these in conjunction with
other medications and treatments to help maximize management of the disease.
If you have any questions, please contact our office at (218) 382-2870.
