$2,733 To Treat Iron-Poor Blood? Iron Infusions For Anemia Under Scrutiny

Plump red blood cells — tumbling amid the infection-fighting white cells and purple platelets in this colorized, microscopic view — need adequate levels of iron to be able to carry and deliver oxygen around the body.

Iron-deficiency anemia is often remedied with drugstore iron pills. But if that doesn’t work, doctors sometimes prescribe iron infusions — and the bill for that can vary by thousands of dollars. Why?

(Image credit: Science Source)