Fasting with iron deficiency
Question
Dear Rabbi! My wife is neither pregnant nor breastfeeding. However, she has an iron deficiency. Lately, she tried to keep all the fasts, but every time, after a few hours without food, she experienced very strong headaches, vertigo, and began to see black after every minor effort. How is she supposed to fast? Do I have to stay with her and help her with our baby? Do I have to open an infusion kit before the beginning of the holiday (Yom Kippur) in case she becomes dehydrated, G-d forbid? Thank you so much, and may you be sealed for a good year
Answer
Dear …!
In case of an iron deficiency, when the hemoglobin level is below 9, she should not fast at all. She should eat and drink “by measures”, that is, eating and drinking small servings — 30 cm³ of food, 40 cm³ of liquid, pausing not less than 9 minutes between the intakes.
If the hemoglobin level is higher than that, she should begin the fast; she should try to rest as much as possible in an air-conditioned room, so as to be able to finish the fast.
If in the middle of the fast she begins to feel very dizzy, or if she sees black, she should drink “by measures”. If the condition persists, she should drink the regular way.