Russians warned against using IV drips for liver health without medical advice
Hepatologist Nuriya Dianova: Liver health infusions should not be done without a doctor’s prescription
Many clinics now offer infusion therapy aimed at improving overall health — including IV drips advertised as beneficial for the liver. However, as hepatologist and nutritionist Nuriya Dianova, executive director of the “Healthy Nutrition” Research Center, told Gazeta.ru, such drips should not be used without medical supervision.
“This approach can only be part of complex treatment. For example, in cases of liver disease, I may prescribe Heptral, but not to all patients. It depends on the activity of the disease and the level of intoxication. If the disease is mild, capsules or tablets are enough. Drips are required only in cases of moderate or high disease activity. They should not be used, as some websites suggest, for ‘diet mistakes’ or ‘detoxification’,” said Dianova.
Before starting infusion therapy, it is important to undergo proper medical tests — a complete blood count, biochemical analysis, thyroid function test, and check for vitamin and mineral deficiencies. It is impossible to prescribe such drips to oneself.
“Another issue is whether patients actually undergo full medical examination just to receive a course of drips, which often costs about the same as the diagnostics. Any pathology may have many causes, and all must be examined — including lifestyle and medical history — before prescribing proper treatment. For instance, thyroid problems can affect the entire body, causing mood swings, irritability, forgetfulness, and insomnia. In such cases, so-called ‘brain-stimulating’ drips won’t help; the thyroid must be treated by an endocrinologist,” Dianova concluded.
