Doctor led IV infusions in Frankfurt
At the Praxis Dr. Berkei, every infusion begins with a medical consultation and a blood test. Only once we know your results, your medical history and your goals do we decide together whether an infusion makes sense for you and which one. Treatments take place at our practice on the Fressgasse, Große Bockenheimer Straße 43.
What is an IV infusion?
An infusion is the slow delivery of a solution into a vein, usually in the crook of the arm or the forearm. Through a fine cannula, the fluid drips steadily from a bag into the bloodstream. In medicine, this has been routine for decades.
In a vitamin infusion, the solution contains vitamins, minerals, amino acids or other substances that also occur naturally in the body. Unlike tablets, the ingredients do not pass through the gut but go directly into the blood.
Infusion or tablets?
For many people, a balanced diet is enough, and for a confirmed deficiency an oral supplement often is too. An infusion can be useful if absorption through the gut is limited or if a dose is needed that tablets cannot achieve. If we do not think you need an infusion, we will tell you.
- Duration: about 30 to 120 minutes depending on the infusion
- Where: as an outpatient at our practice on the Fressgasse
- Afterwards: usually straight back to your day
- Beforehand: always a medical consultation and blood tests
Our longevity approach: understand first, then treat
Longevity means living a long life. For us, it is less about the number of years and more about how healthy and resilient you feel during those years. In medicine, this is called healthspan.
Many health risks develop long before you notice them. That is why we do not start with an infusion but with a thorough assessment of your medical history, your daily life, your goals and your blood results. From this we create a personal plan in which exercise, nutrition, sleep, stress and preventive care have just as much of a place as medical treatments.
Infusions are one possible part of that plan, not its centre. What makes our practice special is that we can look at health and aesthetics together, from skin analysis to aesthetic treatment, all under one roof.
How we support you
- Initial consultation, about 60 minutes: medical history, medication, lifestyle and your goals
- Diagnostics: blood tests and, if you wish, further tests
- Results discussion with a personal plan
- Treatment, for example infusions, nutritional advice or aesthetic treatments
- Follow up so we can see what has changed
Diagnostics: blood tests, hormone profile and biological age
We decide together in the initial consultation which tests make sense for you. You choose how far you want to go.
Blood tests
- Longevity Lab I: the baseline before every infusion, with a blood count and key clinical values
- Longevity Lab II: a comprehensive analysis of more than 70 values, for example vitamin D, vitamin B12, folic acid, iron stores, magnesium, zinc, selenium, Omega 3 Index, inflammation markers, blood sugar and HbA1c, blood lipids including ApoB and lipoprotein(a), as well as liver, kidney and thyroid function
- Longevity Lab III: an extended hormone profile with oestradiol, progesterone, testosterone, DHEAS, IGF 1 and SHBG, plus a closer look at the thyroid
Hormone profile
Hormones change over the course of life, in women often noticeably around the menopause, in men usually gradually. A hormone profile shows where you stand right now. Whether this leads to any treatment is something we discuss with you in detail and individually.
Biological age
An epigenetic test looks at patterns in your DNA that change over the course of life and estimates a biological age from them. The method is scientifically exciting but still young, so we always interpret the result together with your other values.
Further tests
On request, we measure the NAD+ level in your cells, record your blood sugar for 15 days with a glucose sensor, analyse your skin with the VISIA system or examine your gut microbiome. We only offer genetic analyses after separate medical counselling.
Longevity programmes
If you would like a complete picture, you can choose one of our three programmes, each building on the last: Foundation, Advanced or Signature. All three end with a detailed results discussion and a personal Longevity Report. We are happy to explain in a consultation which tests each programme includes.
Our infusions
We only put an infusion together for you after the initial consultation and blood test. The concepts below are starting points; we adjust the composition and dose to your results. How you experience an infusion varies from person to person, and not every use is backed by robust studies. We discuss that openly with you too.
High dose vitamin C
Vitamin C is involved, among other things, in collagen formation and in the body's defence processes. As an infusion, it can reach blood levels that tablets cannot. Before a high dose, we check your kidney values among other things and rule out G6PD deficiency. We give vitamin C as a short infusion or as part of a combination.
NAD+ infusion
NAD+ (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide) is a coenzyme found in every cell of the body and involved in energy metabolism. Studies show that NAD+ levels fall with age. How much an infusion affects these levels in the long term has not yet been fully studied in humans. The NAD+ infusion runs slowly over several hours and is combined with B vitamins, magnesium and L carnitine. On request, we measure your NAD+ level beforehand.
Glutathione and Cellular Support
Glutathione is a molecule the body makes itself and is involved in protective processes within the cell. Our Cellular Support infusion combines glutathione with N acetylcysteine, alpha lipoic acid and vitamin C. We also give glutathione on its own as a short application.
Immune Support
A combination of vitamin C, zinc, selenium and B vitamins. These micronutrients contribute to the normal function of the immune system. If you have an acute infection with fever, we postpone the infusion.
Skin & Hair Support
Vitamin C, biotin, zinc and silicon. These substances play a role in skin, hair and nails. With hair loss in particular, we first check your blood for a deficiency or another possible cause.
Performance Support
B vitamins, magnesium, taurine and L carnitine. These substances are involved in energy metabolism. Anyone who feels constantly exhausted should have this checked by a doctor, and that is exactly where we begin.
Recovery Support
L glutamine, arginine, vitamin C and taurine. We use this infusion, for example, around planned procedures, in consultation with the surgeon who is operating on you.
Spermidine infusion
Spermidine is a substance produced by the body that is being studied in connection with autophagy, a recycling process within the cell. Data in humans are still limited.
Your infusion step by step
- Initial consultation: we discuss your medical history, medication, allergies and your goals.
- Blood test: Longevity Lab I as the baseline. Results are usually available within a few days.
- Results discussion: we explain your values, recommend an infusion or advise against one, and give you written information.
- Infusion: you sit comfortably in our quiet Infusion Lounge, and our team is close by the whole time. Depending on the infusion, it takes about 30 to 120 minutes.
- Afterwards: we keep an eye on you for a short while, after which you can usually carry on with your day as normal.
How often?
We often plan one to two sessions a week over four to six weeks and then check your values again. We do not offer ongoing infusions without monitoring.
When we advise against an infusion
Not every infusion suits every person. Among other things, we advise against it:
- during pregnancy and breastfeeding
- with severe heart or kidney failure
- with a known allergy to an ingredient
- for high dose vitamin C, additionally with G6PD deficiency or a tendency to kidney stones
- with an acute infection and fever, in which case we reschedule your appointment
- with certain medications and ongoing therapies, only after consulting your treating doctors
Risks and side effects
An infusion is a minor procedure, but it is not without risk. Bruising or a slight burning sensation at the puncture site are common. Dizziness or circulatory symptoms occur occasionally. Irritation or inflammation of the vein, an infection at the puncture site or an allergic reaction are rare, and a severe allergic reaction is very rare. With the NAD+ infusion, a feeling of pressure, warmth or nausea can occur if it runs too fast, so we adjust the speed accordingly. Every infusion at our practice takes place under medical supervision, and emergency equipment is on site.
How much does an infusion cost?
Costs depend on the composition, dose and duration and are calculated according to the German medical fee schedule (GOÄ). Infusions without medical necessity are not covered by statutory health insurance, and VAT also applies to such services. Private insurers may cover part of the costs if there is a medical indication. You will receive a written cost estimate before every treatment.
How to find us
Praxis Dr. Berkei on the Fressgasse, Große Bockenheimer Straße 43, 60313 Frankfurt am Main, entrance on the Fressgasse
Frequently asked questions about infusions
What is an IV infusion?
An infusion is the slow delivery of a solution into a vein. A vitamin infusion, for example, contains vitamins, minerals or amino acids, which reach the blood directly this way.
How long does an infusion take?
About 30 to 120 minutes depending on the composition. An NAD+ infusion takes longer because it has to run slowly.
Do I need a blood test beforehand?
Yes. We never give an infusion without a medical consultation and blood results. The baseline is our Longevity Lab I.
How often can you have a vitamin C infusion?
We decide this individually. It is often one to two sessions a week over a few weeks, after which we check your values.
How long does a vitamin infusion last?
There is no general answer. The ingredients are used up or excreted at different rates. Checking your blood values over time gives the clearest picture.
How much does a vitamin C or NAD+ infusion cost?
Costs depend on the composition, dose and duration. You will receive a written cost estimate before treatment.
Will my health insurance cover the costs?
Statutory health insurance does not cover infusions without medical necessity. Private insurers may cover part of the costs if there is an indication.
Can I work or drive after the infusion?
Usually yes. If you do not feel well, you are welcome to stay with us a little longer.
How are you different from a drip bar?
We do not offer infusions off a menu. Every treatment is preceded by a medical consultation and a blood test, and the infusion takes place under medical supervision.
Your first step is a personal consultation
Book an initial consultation at our practice on the Fressgasse. We take time for your questions and discuss which diagnostics and which treatment are right for you.
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