Are you aware that IV therapy from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre (TFMC) has the potential to enhance energy production, accelerate muscle recovery, and sharpen mental clarity?

Also called intravenous therapy, this is accessible in our IV Lounge for supplementary health reinforcement purposes, and may be requested as a custom-made IV drip. Here are some reasons why we make intravenous drips available to our patients: 

• • It may encourage prompt responses to help alleviate vitamin/mineral deficiencies. This is because an IV tube connects a nutritional drip to your vein, allowing for supplemental nutrients to enter your blood stream without using the digestive tract. 
  • It can help ensure you get a complete absorption of nutrients without losing doses of vitamins during the digestive process. 
  • It can reduce your chances of forming digestive issues, which is something that some patients experience with oral supplementation. 
  • Some oral supplementation can lead to unwanted side effects, such as an upset stomach.

As individuals, we all hold different genetics, lifestyle factors, environmental exposures, and health goals. Some people make health amendments to boost their physical exertions for an athletic performance; others may want to strengthen immune function. This is why the TFMC adheres to the integrative functional medicine model, which recognizes unique biological needs, and we apply this to adapt therapeutic doses of IV drips. When treatments, such as IV therapy drips, are designed for your needs – rather than for a group of unrelated individuals – it could help jump-start health improvements. 

If you’re wondering what happens at an IV nutrient therapy appointment in our IV Lounge, this article highlights what to expect. 

Understanding the IV therapy process 

Prior to your first nutritional drip, it’s important to speak to a TFMC healthcare provider about your chief health concerns. This happens during an official IV therapy initial consult, which is needed to rule out possible contraindications to the nutritional drip. We may also request blood work (i.e. complete blood count) or another type of lab test to determine pertinent details about your health status. 

Once we’ve gathered the key components of your wellness, we can tailor a custom-made IV drip with natural ingredients slated for your needs. The functional medicine approach to wellness is implemented when we customize IV drips, which is a health model that allows us to uniquely dose each drip treatment. Before you come to your first drip session, please note the following: 

• • Drink water to ensure that you’re hydrated. 
  • Eat a snack or small meal to maintain your blood sugar levels. 
  • Wear comfortable clothes so that your vein is easily accessible for administering the drip tube.

When you enter our IV Lounge, you will be seated comfortably by a wellness team member. They will carefully insert the IV tube into your vein. Then your nutritional drip formula will be released into your blood stream, which contains your unique blend of vitamins and other nutrients. The duration of IV administration varies between individuals, and can range from 30-90 minutes. 

During your intravenous treatment, a team member will periodically check to ensure your comfort level (and if you have any questions or concerns during the drip session, let us know!). Once the appointment has ended, we’ll review some post-IV drip therapy aftercare tips with you, and you’ll receive an email advising you on what to expect after your IV drip. The email may include some of these tips: 

• • Maintain your hydration levels after your drip therapy session by continuing to drink water. You can also continue your daily activities after your IV session, such as exercise, but remember to stay hydrated and continue to eat regularly 
  • Mild bruising in the area where the tube was inserted is not uncommon. To alleviate any discomfort, you can apply an ice pack and use topical arnica gel on the affected area. You can continue to shower or bathe as you normally would. Be mindful of rough contact around the injection site for a couple days, such as clothes rubbing against the affected area. 
  • You may get some mild fatigue or light-headedness following a nutritional drip session.  This is common after your first few treatments, as your body may be attempting to clear any metabolic waste products.
  • You’re welcome to book a follow-up appointment to discuss your progress! When supportive IV vitamin drips are added to regular oral supplementation at home, a balanced lifestyle (with a healthy diet and exercise) and other treatment modalities, they can contribute to optimal health. 

The TFMC is currently accepting new patients for functional medicine and adjunct intravenous therapy treatments. Learn about our IV Lounge and wellness services below. 

About our Yorkville-based clinic

Our IV Lounge is where patients can comfortably kick their feet up and relax for an intravenous treatment! Safety is a necessity, so each session is carefully monitored by our wellness team, which includes a medical doctor, naturopathic doctor, nurse practitioners and registered nurses. 

Our adjunct drip menu contains an array of essential nutrients for promoting optimal functioning. We use natural ingredients, and we do NOT add preservatives! Nutrients for our intravenous drips include ascorbic acid, B vitamins (i.e. vitamin B1) vitamin C, vitamin E, trace minerals, folic acid, glutamic acid and other amino acids, and other key nutrients. Goal-oriented drips can also be tailored, such as a high-dose vitamin C drip for immune health, a post-exercise amino acid drip for helping with physical performances, or an anti-aging IV drip to support collagen production. We also published about the role of iv therapy for vitamin b12 deficiency which may interest you.

When you become a patient with the TFMC, you have the chance to have a treatment plan uniquely modified for you! We adapt therapies for numerous conditions, too, such as those related to poor energy levels, cognitive function, chronic inflammation, liver detoxification, muscle function, food sensitivities, chronic fatigue syndrome, hormone imbalances, inflammatory bowel disease, and others. 

After understanding your current quality of life and pertinent lab results, our health providers can tailor your therapies with a wide range of modalities, such as conventional medicine, naturopathy, holistic nutrition, acupuncture, hormone therapies, IV nutrient therapy, and more. Think of your treatment plan as a “treasure chest” of health tools – when you experience symptoms, you can refer to this chest of tailored health strategies. 

Do you want to explore the beneficial effects of adjuvant IV therapy from our Toronto clinic? Take control of your health today – reach us to determine if vitamin drips are suitable for you. Leave us a message to request more information.  

Disclaimer: The information in this article is designed for educational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for informed medical advice or care. This information should not be used to diagnose or treat any health problems or illnesses without consulting a doctor. You should always consult with a health care practitioner before relying on any information in this article or on this website. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified healthcare provider because of information you have read from the Toronto Functional Medicine Centre website or other affiliate media.