Just letting you guys know, several month ago my first time I started the keto diet, i started testing my blood for ketones and then started testing for HCT and HGB. I was preparing for a trek through the Himalayas, so when I read that my HCT was 40% i was worried. For men that is borderline anemic. I stopped keto a month before the trip, and was taking iron supplements. my HCT rose to 44%. When I got home I relaxed. No dieting, just exercise. I got back on keto and after 6 weeks, my HCT is now at 38%, while still taking iron supplements. I eat extremely healthy, TONS (plate fulls) of greens and plenty of meats both full of iron. Now I did a little digging, and it seems that not only are other individuals reporting similar effects, but there was a study done on endurance athletes, that showed those on the keto diet progressively decreasing HCT levels. Keto is a fantastic way for me to lose weight. I will still recommend it for people struggling to lose weight. But at this time where there is a very dangerous virus going around I think its time to put my priorities straight and get my iron levels up. Im sure this is not the case for everyones body. But for those of you who do test and find yourself with lower HCT levels, you might want to think about easy up on keto for the next couple months.
Cheers and healthy living!
Keto diet causing me to become anemic
My hematocrit has generally been in the mid-30%. And that is while being treated for cancer w/ chemo, and other meds. I wouldn’t necessarily worry about a 40% number. I’ve only seen it in the 40-41% range 3 times in the last 18 months!
“45% to 52% for men and 37% to 48% for women” -Medicinenet. Mid thirties for women is fine you are right. Unfortunately in this case, I am male.
My lab just uses a flat 34.0 to 46.0 as the range. I don’t think it made a distinction for gender.
The healthy ranges vary with age and gender, they may not be explaining the range to you as being specific to your age and gender.
What vegetables and nuts are you consuming regularly? Some of those can cause iron to not be absorbed by the body. this has a good list of what foods can reduce your iron intake.
I eat three egg yolks every day, I eat some kind of nuts multiple times a day, and I eat tofu, spinach and other greens rich in “Oxalic Acid.” … WOW! Thank you Collaroygal, my entire keto diet seems to literally prevent iron absorption.
It seems so counterintuitive that certain iron rich food are actually causing my anemia. I will have to figure out some new meals.
Try to eliminate plant sourced foods, many of which contain so-called anti-nutrients (phytic acid, for one) that interfere with or prevent iron absorption and other minerals as well. If that helps, then you can try adding them back in one by one to see which are causing you problems. Nuts can be a big one. Coconut and palm oils, including MCT oil, are probably OK. When you start adding back plants, you might want to integrate bok choy to replace all other ‘leaves’. Very high in nutrients, low in anti-nutrients and carbs. I recommend it to anyone and everyone who thinks they must eat some veggies. Tastes good, too.
Thanks @amwassil. I’m planning on doing a 48 hour fast, but after that I guess I will try eating more bok choy and less other greens.
Really? Like really really? 
OMG bro-science at its best! …Lol
References:
[1] “…Some forms of anemia can have specific symptoms:
- Aplastic anemia : fever, frequent infections, and skin rashes
- Folic acid deficiency anemia : irritability, diarrhea, and a smooth tongue
- Hemolytic anemia : jaundice, dark colored urine, fever, and abdominal pains
- Sickle cell anemia : painful swelling of the feet and hands, fatigue, and jaundice. …” …More
[2] “…What causes low riboflavin? Secondary riboflavin deficiency is most commonly caused by the following:**
- Chronic diarrhea.
- Malabsorption syndromes.
- Liver disorders.
- Hemodialysis.
- Peritoneal dialysis.
- Long-term use of barbiturates.
- Chronic alcoholism. …More
[3] “…Conversely, some foods can actually hinder your body’s ability to absorb iron as well, including:
- Coffee, tea (even decaffeinated) and soda
- Dairy products and calcium supplements
- Foods high in dietary fiber
- Wine and beer
If you still need a bit more iron, you can try iron supplements and even cast iron cookware, which transmits iron to food while it’s heating. Fun fact: In 2008, Christopher Charles, PhD, and his colleagues investigated ways to treat iron deficiency anemia in Cambodia by making iron ingots shaped like a fish — a symbol of luck, health, and happiness in local folklore — that could be placed in cooking pots as an inexpensive, reusable iron supplement. …” …More
[4] “…Anemia can develop for many reasons. In fact, there are more than 400 types of anemia. But they can all be categorized into these three general groups:
- Anemia caused by the loss of blood
- Anemia caused by a decrease in red blood cell production in the bone marrow or impaired production of red blood cells
- Anemia caused by red blood cell destruction
Anemia is a fairly common condition, but it often goes unrecognized and therefore not treated. Its symptoms are vague and easily mistaken for symptoms of other serious or chronic diseases. But even mild anemia can significantly lower one’s quality of life, and untreated anemia can have serious long-term health effects. …” …More
[5] “…Diabetes and anemia: Diabetes does not directly cause anemia, but certain complications and conditions associated with diabetes can contribute to it. For example, both diabetes-related kidney disease (nephropathy) and nerve damage (neuropathy) can contribute to the development of anemia. In addition, taking certain oral diabetes drugs can raise the risk of developing anemia. People with diabetes can also have anemia as a result of not eating well or of having a condition that interferes with the absorption of nutrients. Kidney disease. Normally, the kidneys secrete a hormone called erythropoietin, which stimulates the bone marrow to produce red blood cells. In diabetic nephropathy, the tiny blood vessels that filter waste products from the body become damaged and start “leaking” substances (such as protein) into the urine. At the same time, the amount of erythropoietin produced by the kidneys is reduced, leading to anemia. Some studies have shown that reduced erythropoietin production and anemia happen earlier in people with diabetes and kidney disease than in those with kidney disease and no diabetes. …” …More
Don’t forget to limit the phytic acid sources, nuts and legumes both fall in that category.
Red meat is your friend,so get plenty of that.
Calf liver is your friend, so get plenty of that too?
Must absorb that iron, you could have a river of iron running through your body but you can’t scoop up the iron and use it without the niacin and riboflavin buckets?
I eat grass fed liver raw, much more nutritious and tastier than cooking it.
Oh yes let’s not for-get raw eggs to mmmm?
References:
[1] THIAMINE, RIBOFLAVIN, AND NIACIN CONTENT OF ORGAN MEATS “…The riboflavin and niacin content of liver is much higher than that of other organs. The values for riboflavin range from 0.2 mg. per 100 g. …”
yep. My hemoglobin and hematacrit were both high in January. My doctor is suggesting my body could be responding to the high altitude (I live at 8000ft and often hike closer to 10,000ft). Or, she thinks it could be sleep apnea causing an oxygen shortage at night that the body is trying to compensate for.
But…at 16.9/48.6 respectively, I’m not really extreme, just at “high” and given my age and altitude of my residence, I’m thinking I’m ok.
I like liver, calf, beef, or chicken/goose/duck. But I do not eat it raw, just very rare. If you limit the phytic acid and oxalic acid providers, you should be good to go.
Thank God Mother Nature makes phytic acid or we would all be dead from over absorption of nutrients to toxic levels.
As far as oxalates are concerned if you take anti-biotics (…and are probably in the meat your eating? …and the people saying not true are Monsanto scientists?) or ever have, you probably lack the gut bacteria to break them down. A little lemon juice in the diet is all you need and if your allergic to lemons then you most likely have a very very serious leaky gut.
Same with Lectins which you cannot escape eating, because you would starve to death.
Bro-science is pseudo-science:
‘What’s The beef’ (literally speaking):
“…I eat what bro’s tell me too, for no rhyme or reason, who cares if my colon is full of cancer creating Micro-RNA’s because I only eat meat and no resistant starch to decrease them?”…”
The blind can’t lead the blind?
People who think like that aren’t your bro?
They are trying to impose there theories (e.g. evolution) on you at the cost of your life?
Are your “Bro’s” going to be rushing to pay for your funeral expenses and hospital bills?
I scheduled an appointment with a well reviewed licensed nutritionist, with an M.S. in nutrition , and I will let you guys know what they have to say.