Low hemoglobin on day 4 of water fasting

(Scott) #1

I’m on day 4 of a 5 day water fast and have about 20 more hours to go to complete this 5 day fast. I feel fine, but I do have low energy. The only thing I have consumed is a 2 cups of black coffee (total), 3 cups of green tea (total) and about 3 liters of water each day. I also take at least a teaspoon of pink himalayan salt and at least a tablespoon of apple cidar vinegar. I had trouble sleeping and day 2 and 3 and did have heartburn so I took some extra apple cider vinegar which helped.

My nurse friend said my hemoglobin is getting dangerously low at 8.8 g/dL as shown in the screenshot below. My ketones are at 6.2. Can I finish the fast or should I eat some bone broth tonight?

You can also see my other glucose readings below:

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(Bacon for the Win) #2

Probably not a good reading the first time. There’s nothing about fasting that would make your H&H drop that low without some underlying undiagnosed condition.

(Scott) #3

I think you’re right. Here is my 2nd test. I’m not 100% sure how to get the blood on the strip. Do I need to let the blood flow down the strip or just a big dab on the end?

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(Bacon for the Win) #4

either method is fine as long as you don’t flood the strip and the meter. I prefer the dab method myself. Also, the “correct” way to test is to wipe away the first drop of blood with gauze and dab the second drop. FWIW I never do that LOL Also, there’s an margin for error with all meters, so don’t expect the same numbers every time. As long as they’re in the same neighborhood it’s accurate enough.