Yes, the host should not be weakened, but, if the pathogens can be detected, ( difficult ), then treated, ( same), wouldn't that be nice.
Of course, testing is faulty ; treatments are side-effecty, and non-specific, but there's hope.
I see you've recently tried abx, and had some improvement, but not without side-effects. Same here.
After reading extensively, ( forgetting more so ), Abx seem to only inhibit ( or kill ) certain other microbes ; and microbes are quick to develop resistance. (smarties)
Probiotics aren't all that 'friendly' either. Although symbiotic, they will overtake if allowed. But we need them...
So, abx's can leave some pathogens room to grow, and some probiotics may not be so host beneficial.
Some researchers are combining herbals with abx for synergy with some success.
I don't know for sure, now I'm back to high dose goldenseal tincture because it seems I've left some rascals behind after abx. (e coli ?)
I haven't had the iron anemia that you and your sister have,

, but I've been a bleeder for some years. I suspect the acidosis, and possibly excessive nitric oxide/peroxynitrite production due to infections may be causing this.