We see a lot of women with Iron / Blood deficiency at our clinic.  We see it often with those who have hormonal imbalances, fertility issues or insomnia and anxiety.

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Low Iron levels and Blood deficiency in Chinese Medicine

When we speak about Blood in Chinese Medicine, we are referring to its nourishing and moistening function.  In Western terms, Blood deficiency equates to either anaemia or being on the way to anaemia. 

(It’s why we use both Chinese Medicine diagnostic techniques and Western Medicine blood tests to tell us how best to treat your symptoms with Acupuncture and Integrative Herbal Medicine).

Your blood test results may not reflect this yet if you are in the normal range, however, the reference range is quite broad and will look higher if you have elevated inflammatory levels (see more here). 

It’s important to note that Blood deficiency sometimes correlates with anaemia but a lot of the time it comes BEFORE the test results.

Below I discuss the signs you may notice if you have Blood deficiency, the causes and things that you can do to help rebuild your blood including a list of Blood building foods.

At the clinic, in addition to recommending Blood building foods, we create an individual treatment plan, which includes Acupuncture and Herbal Medicine to help you feel more like yourself again, faster.

Some signs that you may have Blood deficiency:

• Scattered & Foggy Brain

• Insomnia

• Fatigue

• Anxiety/nervousness

• Heart palpitations

• Feeling faint and ungrounded

• Dizziness

• Poor memory 

• Dry eyes, blurred vision

• Pale complexion

• Scanty periods, amenorrhea (absent periods) or even heavy periods

• Dry brittle hair, skin and nails

• Hair loss 

• Muscle cramps & spasms

Blood deficiency can be caused by: 

• Excessive physical and mental work

• Poor diet and insufficient nutrients 

• Emotions such as stress, overthinking, worrying and unexpressed emotions

• Blood loss from heavy periods, injury, pregnancy, births and breastfeeding  etc

  
  

Things you can do if you have signs of blood deficiency:

• Eat Blood-nourishing foods

• Herbal Medicine can help with iron absorption

• Avoid physically and mentally overworking yourself e.g. over-exercising 

• Avoid suppressing emotions and stressful situations.  Learn to say “No”.

• Ensure you are getting enough rest.

• Practice breathing exercises such as Qigong or gentle yoga

• Take good quality iron supplements with co-factors for best absorption. We love organic beef liver capsules

• Iron infusions should be considered if a severe case or oral iron isn’t improving levels

The best foods for Blood deficiency and Anemia

Here’s some of the best foods for Blood deficiency and anemia.

Need some assistance with your Blood deficiency symptoms?

Your body may need more than just oral iron to absorb it.

We’re here to help.