Anemia, Iron Levels, and Blood Type: How They Affect Your Fertility

In short: Iron-deficiency anaemia reduces the oxygen reaching the organs, and some studies have linked it to delay in conceiving, miscarriage, low birth weight and preterm birth, because it may weaken ovulation and sperm production. The suggested link between blood group O and egg reserve came from an older study and has not been confirmed by more recent research.

Anemia and its relation to fertility

Healthy food gives your body the vitamins and minerals it needs to function well, including your reproductive system.

A deficiency in any of these nutrients — whether in the husband or the wife — may lead to delayed pregnancy.

Iron deficiency in particular has been linked to infertility, miscarriage, low birth weight, and preterm labour.

Even if you are low in iron and do manage to conceive, reduced oxygen delivery can affect your baby’s development,

Questions around implantation are explored further in our article on failed IVF and ICSI cycles.

prevent proper placental development, and increase the risk of miscarriage and preterm birth.

Common causes of iron deficiency include:

• Malnutrition
• Malaria
• Blood diseases
• Diseases of the immune system.

Heavy menstrual bleeding (the most common cause in women of childbearing age), repeated pregnancies, and poor absorption of iron, for example in coeliac disease.

Symptoms of anemia may include general fatigue and exhaustion, palpitations, dizziness, and cold extremities with pale skin.

Anemia and its relationship to pregnancy:

Anemia can contribute to delayed pregnancy, especially when caused by iron deficiency.

How does this happen?

Iron plays a key role in forming hemoglobin. When iron levels drop, the number of red blood cells decreases,

which reduces the amount of oxygen reaching organs such as the ovaries (since the body prioritizes oxygen delivery to

vital organs like the brain and heart). This can lead to poor ovulation — meaning eggs are not released properly, making pregnancy less likely.

Iron is also one of the most important minerals needed for healthy sperm formation.

Heme vs. Non-Heme Iron

Heme iron is the more easily absorbed form and is typically found in animal sources. Non-heme iron is harder

for the body to absorb and comes from plant-based sources. Although heme iron is more absorbable, current research suggests

non-heme iron may offer more benefit when it comes to supporting ovulation.

To help your body absorb as much iron as possible (especially non-heme iron), it’s helpful to pair iron-rich foods with vitamin C; vitamin B12 and folate do not increase iron absorption but are also needed to make healthy red blood cells.

Some research suggests that women who take iron supplements regularly may lower their risk of ovulatory infertility, and that higher iron intake

may be linked to an even greater reduction in risk. These findings are promising but should always be discussed with your doctor before making any changes to supplementation.

A ferritin level below about 30 ng/mL usually means that iron stores are low, even if the hemoglobin is still normal; your doctor can interpret your result based on your individual case.

You can help support healthy iron levels by maintaining a balanced diet — for example, eating vegetables and chicken which are rich in iron, along with lemon and tomatoes

which contain vitamin C (helping with iron absorption) — and by reducing coffee and tea intake, as these can interfere with absorption.

Blood type and its effect on female fertility

There are four main blood types: O, A, B and AB. Your genetic makeup and the proteins on the surface of your red blood cells

determine your blood type.

Is one blood type linked to lower fertility?

One small study suggested that women with blood type O may have a lower egg reserve, but larger studies since then have not confirmed any link between blood type and ovarian reserve or IVF success.

A woman’s egg reserve plays an important role in her overall fertility. Blood type should therefore not be used to judge fertility or plan when to have children; if you are concerned about your egg reserve, an AMH blood test and ultrasound follicle count give a much more accurate picture.

Regardless of your blood type, maintaining a healthy diet and lifestyle remains one of the most important things you can do to support fertility, conception, and pregnancy. While we

can’t control every factor related to our fertility, taking charge of the foods we eat

and how we live can make a meaningful difference.

If you have concerns about anemia, iron levels, or how factors like these may be affecting your fertility journey, the team at Dr. Layyous clinic is here to listen, answer your questions, and guide you through your options with care.