IV Therapy in Surrey & White Rock
White Rock Naturopathic Clinic provides individualized IV nutrient therapy in South Surrey, BC, under the care of Dr. Tom Grodski, ND. Intravenous therapy allows vitamins, minerals, amino acids and other nutrients to be delivered directly into the bloodstream, bypassing gastrointestinal absorption. IV formulations are selected according to the patient’s health history, treatment goals, medications, laboratory findings and individual needs.
What is IV Nutrient Therapy?
Intravenous (IV) nutrient therapy delivers nutrients directly into the bloodstream through a small intravenous catheter. Depending on the formulation, an IV may contain vitamins such as vitamin C and B vitamins, minerals such as magnesium and calcium, amino acids, antioxidants such as glutathione, or other nutrients.
Because IV administration bypasses the digestive tract, it provides complete and immediate systemic availability of the nutrients being administered and can achieve blood concentrations that are not possible with standard oral supplementation.
At White Rock Naturopathic Clinic, IV therapy is not approached as a one-size-fits-all treatment. Dr. Tom Grodski, ND assesses each patient’s health history, medications, symptoms and treatment goals before determining whether IV therapy is appropriate and which formulation should be used.
Who Might Consider IV Therapy?
IV therapy may be considered when there is a clinical reason to use nutrients intravenously rather than relying solely on diet or oral supplementation. Depending on the individual, this may include situations involving:
- Nutrient deficiencies or increased nutrient requirements
- Poor gastrointestinal absorption or difficulty tolerating oral supplements
- Fatigue or increased physiological demands
- Migraine and recurrent headache support
- Recovery from illness or periods of significant physical stress
- Athletic recovery and performance support
- Selected chronic health conditions in which IV nutrients may be used as an adjunct to conventional treatment
The potential benefits and evidence vary considerably according to the nutrient, dose and condition being treated. An assessment is therefore performed before recommending treatment.
IV therapy should not replace appropriate medical investigation or established treatment for an underlying medical condition.
IV Therapies Available
IV formulations can be individualized according to the patient’s needs. Therapies available at White Rock Naturopathic Clinic include:
Myers’ and Customized Nutrient IVs
Customized nutrient IVs may contain combinations of B vitamins, vitamin C, magnesium, calcium, trace minerals, amino acids and other nutrients. The specific ingredients and doses are selected according to the patient’s health history and treatment goals.
IV Vitamin C
Intravenous vitamin C achieves substantially higher blood concentrations than oral vitamin C because gastrointestinal absorption is bypassed. The dose and clinical rationale for IV vitamin C vary considerably, and higher-dose protocols require appropriate patient screening.
IV Glutathione
Glutathione is an antioxidant naturally produced by the body and involved in cellular antioxidant defence and detoxification pathways. IV glutathione may be administered independently or, when clinically appropriate, in conjunction with other IV therapies.
Alpha-Lipoic Acid
Alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) is an antioxidant involved in cellular energy metabolism. Intravenous ALA is available for selected patients when clinically appropriate.
NAD+ IV Therapy
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme involved in cellular energy production, mitochondrial function and numerous metabolic reactions. We offer dedicated NAD+ protocols for patients for whom this therapy is appropriate.
[Learn more about NAD+ IV Therapy.]
Other Specialized IV Therapies
White Rock Naturopathic Clinic also provides selected specialized intravenous treatments where clinically appropriate. These require additional assessment and screening and are not suitable for every patient.
What Happens During IV Treatment?
Before beginning IV therapy, your health history, medications, supplements and treatment goals are reviewed. Depending upon the treatment being considered, laboratory testing may also be recommended or required.
Once an appropriate IV formulation has been selected, a small intravenous catheter is inserted, usually into a vein in the arm or hand. The IV solution is then administered gradually while you remain seated comfortably in the clinic.
Patients are monitored during treatment, and the infusion rate can be adjusted when necessary.
After the infusion is complete, the catheter is removed and a small dressing is applied. Most patients can resume their normal daily activities afterward unless advised otherwise.
How Long Does an IV Take?
Treatment time depends on the ingredients, dose, volume of fluid and individual tolerance.
A typical nutrient IV generally takes approximately 30–60 minutes, while certain higher-dose or specialized IV treatments may require longer. NAD+ infusions, in particular, are often administered more slowly and may take considerably longer depending on the dose and individual response.
We will let you know the expected treatment time when your IV is scheduled.
Who Administers IV Therapy?
IV therapy at White Rock Naturopathic Clinic is provided under the supervision of Dr. Tom Grodski, ND, a licensed naturopathic physician with additional training in intravenous nutrient therapy.
Your medical history, medications, allergies and relevant laboratory findings are reviewed before treatment to determine whether IV therapy is appropriate and to select a suitable formulation.
Is IV Therapy Safe?
IV therapy is generally well tolerated when appropriately prescribed, prepared and administered, but intravenous treatment is not risk-free.
Potential adverse effects can include discomfort or bruising at the injection site, irritation of the vein, lightheadedness, changes in blood pressure, nausea, headache or reactions to individual ingredients. Infection, allergic reactions and other more serious complications are uncommon but possible.
Safety considerations depend upon the ingredients being administered. Kidney function, cardiovascular health, medications, pregnancy status, allergies and other medical conditions may influence whether a particular IV is appropriate.
Certain higher-dose treatments also require specific laboratory screening. For example, G6PD testing may be required before high-dose intravenous vitamin C because patients with significant G6PD deficiency can be at risk of hemolysis.
For this reason, IV therapy begins with an individualized medical assessment rather than simply selecting an IV from a menu.
How Much Does IV Therapy Cost?
The cost of IV therapy varies according to the formulation, ingredients, dose and length of treatment.
Because IV prescriptions are individualized, the clinic can provide the expected cost once the appropriate treatment has been determined. Please contact White Rock Naturopathic Clinic for current IV therapy pricing or ask about costs during your consultation.
Naturopathic consultation fees may be eligible for reimbursement through extended health benefits. Coverage for IV treatments and associated supplies varies between insurance plans, so patients should confirm their individual coverage with their insurer.
IV Therapy FAQs
Do I need a consultation before having an IV?
Yes. New patients require an appropriate assessment before IV therapy is prescribed. This allows us to review your medical history, medications, treatment goals and any safety considerations or laboratory testing that may be required.
Can IV therapy be customized?
Yes. One of the advantages of physician-directed IV nutrient therapy is that the formulation can be adjusted according to the individual rather than using the same predetermined mixture for every patient.
Is IV therapy better than taking supplements?
Not necessarily. Oral supplementation is appropriate and considerably simpler for many nutritional needs. IV administration becomes useful when there is a specific reason to bypass gastrointestinal absorption, when higher blood concentrations are desired for a particular clinical application, or when oral supplementation is poorly tolerated or insufficient for the intended purpose.
Does IV therapy hurt?
Patients usually experience a brief needle sensation when the IV catheter is inserted. Once the catheter is properly positioned, most people are comfortable during the infusion. Some nutrients can produce temporary sensations such as warmth, flushing or an unusual taste.
How often would I need IV therapy?
There is no universal treatment schedule. Some patients receive a single IV, while others may receive a short series or periodic treatments. Frequency depends upon the reason for treatment, response, laboratory findings and overall treatment plan.
Can I eat before an IV?
In most circumstances, yes. We generally recommend arriving adequately hydrated and having eaten beforehand unless you have been given different instructions for a particular treatment.
Can IV therapy interact with medications or medical conditions?
Yes. Nutrients administered intravenously can be inappropriate with certain medications, kidney or cardiovascular conditions and other medical circumstances. This is one reason your medication and medical history are reviewed before treatment.
IV Therapy in South Surrey
White Rock Naturopathic Clinic provides IV nutrient therapy in South Surrey, BC, conveniently located near the White Rock border at #208–1676 Martin Drive, Surrey, BC.
Dr. Tom Grodski, ND has provided naturopathic medical care to the South Surrey and White Rock community since 2007. In addition to IV nutrient therapy, the clinic provides naturopathic care for digestive health, hormone and menopause concerns, men’s health, chronic fatigue, migraine, allergy desensitization, regenerative medicine and other health concerns.
Patients visit our South Surrey clinic from White Rock, South Surrey, Ocean Park, Crescent Beach, Morgan Creek, Grandview Heights, Delta and surrounding communities.
If you are interested in IV therapy, an initial assessment can help determine whether intravenous nutrients are appropriate for you and which approach best fits your health needs.