PATIENT INFORMATION

People with kidney disease often need to have an iron infusion, which involves intravenous administration of an iron compound (most commonly ferric carboxymaltose).  Iron infusions increase iron levels in blood much more quickly than iron tablets, without side effects such as nausea and altered bowel habit.  Dr. Wiggins can organise admission to Cabrini Malvern and Cabrini Brighton for iron infusions for patients with private health insurance.  There may be costs associated with the hospital admission depending on your health insurance policy, which patients should discuss with their insurance company prior to the admission.  Some general practice clinics are able to give patients iron infusions.  Patients can also be referred to a public hospital.

Sometime a kidney biopsy is required to help with the diagnosis of kidney disease.  Dr. Wiggins does not perform kidney biopsies, but can organise for patients to have their biopsy done at several locations, and will review the results.  Dr. Wiggins will provide patients needing a biopsy with a pathology request for coagulation studies (clotting profile) prior to the procedure.