Best Blood Volume Increasing Methods?

[mrmichaelfreedmen]

Hi all


Wanting a method for increasing blood volume in CFS/ME that preferably is sugar free.

Am on Iron BiGlycinate because it was really low.

Apparently, the body compensates for low blood volume by increasing blood pressure - which is actually happening to me.

 

[linusbert]

Apparently, the body compensates for low blood volume by increasing blood pressure - which is actually happening to me.

how does your heart rate evolve?

what about sodium and water?

this is what ai said:

Spoiler

Strategies to Increase Blood Volume in Chronic Low Volume Conditions (e.g. CFS/ME)​

Management focuses on expanding plasma volume and improving orthostatic tolerance. Interventions span dietary, pharmacological, and behavioral approaches.

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1. Salt and Fluid Loading​

a. Increased Salt Intake​

• Target: 8–10 g/day of sodium (≈20–25 g salt/day), unless contraindicated.
• Mechanism: Expands extracellular fluid volume, increases plasma osmolality, and stimulates water retention.
• Caution: Monitor blood pressure and kidney function in long-term use.

b. Increased Fluid Intake​

• Target: 2.5–3.5 liters/day, with regular spacing throughout the day.
• Use electrolyte-rich fluids (e.g. oral rehydration solutions, isotonic drinks) rather than plain water to prevent dilutional hyponatremia.

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2. Compression Garments​

• Waist-high compression stockings or abdominal binders help reduce venous pooling.
• Mechanism: Increases venous return and reduces orthostatic symptoms by supporting vascular tone.

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3. Physical Maneuvers and Reconditioning​

• Recumbent exercises (e.g. rowing, recumbent cycling) promote cardiovascular conditioning without exacerbating orthostatic intolerance.
• Counter-pressure techniques (e.g. leg crossing, squatting, muscle tensing) during orthostatic stress help maintain perfusion.

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4. Pharmacological Interventions​

a. Fludrocortisone​

• Mineralocorticoid that promotes sodium retention and plasma volume expansion.
• Dose: Typically 0.05–0.2 mg/day.
• Monitor: Potassium levels, blood pressure.

b. Desmopressin (DDAVP)​

• Synthetic analog of ADH that promotes water retention.
• Useful in patients with low ADH levels or polyuria.
• Intermittent dosing to avoid water intoxication or hyponatremia.

c. Midodrine​

• α₁-agonist that induces peripheral vasoconstriction, improving venous return and BP.
• Helpful in orthostatic hypotension, though not directly volume-expanding.

d. Beta-blockers (low-dose)​

• Propranolol or nebivolol may reduce heart rate, improving diastolic filling and reducing symptoms in POTS-type presentations.

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5. Monitoring & Cautions​

• Assess electrolytes, renal function, and blood pressure regularly.
• Use caution with salt/fluid loading in patients with hypertension, heart failure, or renal disease.

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Summary Table​

Intervention	Target	Mechanism	Notes
Salt loading	↑ Na⁺	Expand plasma volume	8–10 g Na⁺/day
Fluid intake	↑ H₂O	Maintain volume	2.5–3.5 L/day
Fludrocortisone	Hormonal	Na⁺ retention	Risk of hypokalemia
Desmopressin	Hormonal	Water retention	Intermittent use
Compression garments	Vascular	Reduce pooling	Abdomen & legs
Physical reconditioning	Cardiovascular	Improve tone & return	Start supine
Midodrine	Vascular	Vasoconstriction	For hypotension
Beta-blockers (low dose)	Cardiac	Reduce tachycardia	Use with caution

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Treatment must be individualized and ideally overseen by a clinician familiar with dysautonomia or CFS/ME physiology.

 

[BrightCandle]

Unfortunately all we really have at the moment is various saline mechanisms and Iron. Its not something we have a lot of control of and given the recent papers suggesting that red blood cell death is clogging up our vascular system it might actually be bad to try to increase it and our body may already be maxed out on RBC production, its the death of cells that is the problem not the production.

 

[linusbert]

Unfortunately all we really have at the moment is various saline mechanisms and Iron. Its not something we have a lot of control of and given the recent papers suggesting that red blood cell death is clogging up our vascular system it might actually be bad to try to increase it and our body may already be maxed out on RBC production, its the death of cells that is the problem not the production.

interesting.
are there blood markers to see if death and clogging of red blood cells is the actual issue?