I’m 41, 6’0”, currently 190 down from 250, and I’ve been fasting for about 4 months (IF is responsible for the last 20 - 25 lbs). I recently had bloodwork done for the first time since starting fasting and I have low hematocrit, hemoglobin, and red blood cell count. Until now, those levels have always been normal. Anyone else experience this when they started fasting? Should I be concerned?
Hematocrit 37.7% (normal range 40.0% = 54.0%)
Hemoglobin 13.3 (normal range 13.5 - 18.0)
Red Blood Cell Count 4.04 (normal range (4.60 - 6.20)
I’d say it’s less IF and more what you eat within your window, but I am only making an educated guess. Sounds like you need to get more iron in your diet.
> Iron-deficiency anemia, the most common form of anemia, is a decrease in the number of red blood cells caused by too little iron. Without sufficient iron, your body can’t produce enough hemoglobin, a substance in red blood cells that makes it possible for them to carry oxygen to the body’s tissues. As a result, you may feel weak, tired, and irritable.
I’d recommend googling iron rich foods to include in your diet.