An IV therapy consultation is a short medical screening that happens before anyone places an IV line. At Skin Art MD in Burnaby, it is a 15-minute naturopathic consultation that reviews your health history, current medications, kidney and heart considerations, and pregnancy status, and decides whether bloodwork is needed first. Some people are not candidates, and the consultation is where that is identified.
If you have been searching for IV therapy in Burnaby or Vancouver, you have probably noticed that some providers offer a drip menu you can order from on arrival. Concerns about IV drips given without screening or lab work have been raised publicly in Canada, and they are a fair question to ask of any provider, including us. This article explains what the screening step involves, who may not be a candidate, what an appointment looks like, and the questions worth asking before you book anywhere.
What is an IV therapy consultation?
It is a focused health review with a regulated practitioner whose job is to decide whether an IV is appropriate for you at all, and if so, under what conditions. It is not a sales conversation, and "not right now" or "not for you" are possible outcomes.
At Skin Art MD, the consultation is carried out by our naturopathic physician, Dr. Ekaterina Krantsevich Riehl, BSc, ND, who is registered with the College of Complementary Health Professionals of BC (CCHPBC). A naturopathic doctor is not a medical doctor (MD), and this visit is meant to complement, not replace, care from your family physician.
What happens during the 15-minute screening?
The screening covers four areas: your health history, your medications and supplements, organ-function considerations, and whether recent lab results are needed before any infusion. You will usually be asked to complete an intake form beforehand so the visit time is spent on review rather than paperwork.
Health history
Expect questions about current and past conditions, previous reactions to injections or IV lines, allergies, recent illness, and anything that affects your veins or circulation. Pregnancy and breastfeeding status is always asked.
Medications and supplements
Bring a full list, including prescription medications, over-the-counter products and supplements. Some combinations can interact with IV ingredients or change how your body handles fluid, so the practitioner needs the complete picture.
Kidney and heart considerations
Your kidneys clear what an infusion delivers, and your heart and circulation handle the extra fluid volume. A history of kidney disease, heart failure or significant blood pressure problems changes the assessment and, in many cases, means an IV is not appropriate outside a hospital setting.
Whether bloodwork comes first
Depending on your history, the practitioner may ask for recent lab results before deciding. Common examples in standard practice include kidney function (such as eGFR), a complete blood count, and, before certain infusions, a G6PD enzyme test. If your family physician ordered relevant tests recently, bring a copy; recent results may be usable instead of repeating them.
Why does bloodwork sometimes come before an infusion?
Because some risks are only visible on paper. A person can feel well and still have reduced kidney function or an enzyme deficiency that makes a particular infusion unsuitable, and a lab result is the way to find out before the line goes in rather than after.
Labs ordered by a naturopathic doctor in BC are generally not covered by MSP, so they are usually paid out of pocket or claimed through extended health benefits, depending on your plan. Your practitioner should explain why a test is being requested and how the result will change the decision. If a test would not change anything, it is reasonable to ask whether it is needed.
Who may not be a candidate for IV therapy?
Standard practice treats several groups with caution or excludes them from elective IV therapy. This list is general; your own situation needs to be discussed with the ND or your physician.
- Pregnancy or breastfeeding: elective IV therapy is generally deferred, and pregnancy-related needs are best managed with your prenatal care provider.
- Kidney conditions: reduced kidney function can affect how fluids and ingredients are cleared.
- Heart conditions: heart failure and some rhythm or blood pressure conditions make added fluid volume a concern.
- Medication interactions: blood thinners, some diuretics, certain heart and kidney medications, and others may change the plan.
- Known enzyme deficiencies or allergies: for example G6PD deficiency, or past reactions to an IV ingredient.
- Active symptoms that need diagnosis: chest pain, shortness of breath, fainting or severe dehydration belong in urgent care or the emergency department, not an elective IV appointment.
If you are unsure where you fit, HealthLink BC (8-1-1) connects you with a registered nurse 24 hours a day, and your family physician knows your history best.
What does an IV appointment actually involve?
If the screening clears you, the treatment is booked as a separate visit. Most appointments take roughly 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the volume and the infusion rate the practitioner sets, plus a few minutes before and after.
A small flexible tube called a cannula is placed in a vein, usually in the forearm or hand. You will feel a pinch when it goes in. During the infusion you sit or recline, and you can usually read or rest. The practitioner checks in periodically and you should speak up about any discomfort, coolness along the arm, dizziness, or unusual sensations.
Possible effects are generally minor but worth knowing about: bruising or tenderness at the insertion site, a cool feeling in the arm, mild irritation of the vein, and occasionally light-headedness. Less commonly, a vein can become inflamed for a few days. Individual experiences vary.
What should aftercare look like?
Aftercare is simple: keep the small dressing on for a short time, watch the site for a day or two, and contact the clinic if something does not settle.
- Leave the bandage on for at least an hour and avoid heavy lifting with that arm for the rest of the day.
- A small bruise is common and usually fades over several days.
- Call the clinic if the site becomes increasingly red, warm, swollen or painful, or if you notice a firm cord along the vein.
- Seek urgent care for fever, spreading redness, shortness of breath, chest pain or swelling of the face or throat.
Follow-up visits are booked based on what was discussed at the consultation, not on a fixed package.
What questions should you ask any IV provider?
Whether you book with us or elsewhere, these questions help you judge how carefully a clinic works. A good provider will answer them plainly.
- Who assesses me before the IV, and what is their registration? In BC, naturopathic doctors are registered with CCHPBC, and the public register on cchpbc.ca lets you check a practitioner's status. Physicians are registered with their own college.
- Who prepares the bag, and who places the line? Ask whether it is the same person and what training they have for IV insertion.
- Where are the ingredients compounded, and to what standard? Sterile products should be prepared under recognized sterile compounding standards, such as those used by Canadian pharmacies. Ask whether preparation happens on site or at a pharmacy.
- Can I see the full ingredient and dose list before I agree? You are entitled to know exactly what is going into your vein.
- What screening do you require, and will you ask for bloodwork? A provider who does not ask about your kidneys, heart, medications or pregnancy has skipped the most important part.
- What happens if I have a reaction, and who do I call afterwards?
According to CCHPBC, as of October 2026 separate certifications for some advanced naturopathic procedures (including IV therapy) were folded into the general registration framework on April 1, 2026, while the related standards, limits and conditions still apply. If you want to confirm what a particular practitioner is permitted to do, CCHPBC is the place to ask.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a consultation if I have had IV therapy before?
Yes. Your health, medications and lab values can change, and each clinic needs its own record. Bring any previous results or notes you have.
Can I use bloodwork my family doctor ordered?
Often, if it is recent and covers what the practitioner needs. Bring a copy to the consultation and the ND will tell you whether anything else is required.
Will I definitely get an IV after the consultation?
No. The purpose of the consultation is to decide whether an IV is appropriate, and the answer may be no, not yet, or not without more information.
Is the consultation in Chinese?
The consultation itself is conducted in English. Our front desk can help in Chinese with booking and forms.
Does MSP cover IV therapy at a naturopathic clinic?
MSP generally does not cover naturopathic visits, labs or elective IV therapy. Some extended health plans reimburse part of a naturopathic visit; check your plan and keep your receipt, which should include the practitioner's registration number. Low-income MSP premium-assistance recipients may be eligible for limited supplementary visit coverage; confirm with Health Insurance BC.
Booking
The first step at Skin Art MD is always the 15-minute naturopathic consultation, at our Metrotown clinic in Burnaby, serving clients from across Greater Vancouver. You can book a naturopathic consultation online or read more about our naturopathic medicine services. If you have a family physician, consider letting them know you are exploring IV therapy so your care stays coordinated.
