Does Low Haemoglobin Affect IVF Success Rates?

During an IVF process, the focus is primarily on the steps themselves, including egg retrieval, embryo transfer, and the medications, but overall health has a significant impact on the chance of IVF success. One of the least discussed factors is haemoglobin count.

What is Low Haemoglobin?

Grams per deciliter (g/dL) is the unit of measurement for haemoglobin levels. A normal range is usually 12-16 g/dL. Any number below this range indicates anaemia. Signs and symptoms of anaemia include:

Fatigue and weakness
Dizziness or feeling lightheaded
Unusually pale skin and nails
Breathlessness
Headaches

The symptoms of mild anaemia can be nonexistent. However, even a slight drop in haemoglobin can impair the functioning of the entire body, including reproductive processes.

How Low Haemoglobin Can Affect IVF

IVF is a complicated process that requires your body to be functioning at its best. Low haemoglobin can affect IVF in many ways:

1. Decreased oxygen distribution to tissues

Every organ in your body, including the uterus and ovaries, requires sufficient oxygen to function properly. If haemoglobin is low, then the oxygen delivered to tissues will be less than normal, and this will affect:

Egg quality: Healthy eggs require good oxygenation for them to fully mature correctly.
Uterine lining: A properly built endometrium is important for embryo implantation.

2. Effect on Fertility Hormones

Anaemia can stress your body and can impact your hormonal balance. Hormones, including oestrogen and progesterone, are important for IVF success and can disrupt and influence ovulation, egg retrieval, and embryo implantation.

3. Increased Risk During the IVF Processes

IVF involves hormonal stimulation and sometimes minor surgical processes. Low levels of haemoglobin can make you more susceptible to fatigue, dizziness, or complications during egg retrieval and can indirectly affect your experience of treatment.

Types of Anaemia That Can Affect IVF

Among different anaemias, some forms of anaemia are specifically related to fertility:

Iron-deficiency Anaemia: The most common form is caused by a lack of dietary iron or the body's inability to absorb iron. In the development of healthy red blood cells, iron is essential.
Folate (or Vitamin B12) Deficiency: If you have low vitamin B12 or folate, it can lead to anaemia and impact cellular division, which is extremely important for the health of the egg and embryo.
Chronic Disease (Anaemia): Anaemia can arise from thyroid disorders, autoimmune diseases, or kidney diseases, all of which can affect fertility.

It is essential to determine the type of anaemia, as your treatment may depend on whether it is caused by iron deficiency, vitamin deficiency, or a disease-related condition.

What Research Says About Haemoglobin and IVF Success

Research suggests that individuals with normal haemoglobin levels have a higher chance of success with IVF than those with anaemia. While mild anaemia can have an influence on early pregnancy or decrease the chance of implantation, it may not influence success with IVF. Some IVF units enforce a minimum haemoglobin so there is a better chance for the body's response to triggering stimulation and growth from the embryo.

Practical Steps to Improve Haemoglobin Before IVF

Some practical steps to get your haemoglobin back in order are:

1. Iron-Rich Diet

Include the following items in your diet:

Spinach, kale, and other leafy greens
Lentils, beans, and chickpeas
Red meat, liver, or poultry
Nuts and seeds

2. Iron supplementation

If necessary, doctors could advise taking oral iron supplements. Never take iron powder without some expert supervision, as high doses of iron can be toxic.

3. Vitamin C uptake

Vitamin C boosts iron absorption. The fruits to have alongside your iron-rich food are oranges, kiwi, or strawberries.

4. Address deficiency of B12 or Folate

If the anaemia results from a deficiency of B12 or folate, the doctor might prescribe supplements. The foods that help include eggs, dairy products, and fortified cereals.

5. Find Out if There Is an Underlying Health Problem

If the diet and the supplements remain ineffective, doctors can investigate chronic illnesses, thyroid issues, or malabsorption. These can be improved by finding and fixing the origin of the issue.

When to Consult Your Doctor

The first person that you should consult for any symptom, such as severe fatigue, pallor or shortness of breath, is the fertility specialist or gynaecologist, who may order the following tests:

Complete blood count (CBC)

While tests for iron, ferritin, vitamin B12, and folate are recommended

Further investigations should be done if chronic disease is suspected

Low haemoglobin levels should be corrected before starting IVF to improve egg development, embryo implantation and early pregnancy rather than having to wait until you are in treatment.
To sum up, having a normal haemoglobin count is another important fact, overlooked for success in IVF. Low haemoglobin reduces oxygen supply to the reproductive organs, causing disturbances to hormone balances and other complications in procedures. Once the type of anaemia has been identified, the focus turns to diet, supplements, and treating sickness that might be at the basis of it, thus constructing good foundations for IVF. Focusing on overall health, including haemoglobin, gives the body the best chance of supporting egg quality, embryo implantation, and a sustainable pregnancy.