An article in the Mirror explains that bloodletting involves drawing large quantities of blood from the body, and highlights that beauticians are claiming the procedure can cure multiple health conditions.
by Saskia Rowlands
Extracts
‘Unregulated' beauticians are risking customers’ lives by selling bloodletting services promising to cure a myriad of conditions, it has been revealed.
There is absolutely no evidence for the health benefit claims these people are making. Done without medical guidance, it could make conditions worse, particularly chronic fatigue syndrome because it makes iron deficiency worse. For every pint of blood taken, you lose 250mg of iron, which is a big quantity.
Dr Sue Pavord, president of the British Society for Haematology
MEA comment
I was horrified to read that people with no medical qualifications are claiming to treat serious medical conditions by bloodletting, or venesection to use the correct medical term.
As Dr Sue Pavord from the British Haematology Society correctly points out, removing blood poses a real and serious danger to patients, including those with ME/CFS.
This needs to be referred to the regulatory authorities (ie the MHRA) if not already done so and before a mishap occurs.
Dr Charles Shepherd,
Trustee and Hon. Medical Adviser to the ME Association,
Member of the 2018-2021 NICE guideline on ME/CFS committee,
Member of the 2002 Chief Medical Officer's Working Group on ME/CFS
Further information
- The ME Association: Blood Donation: ME/CFS and Long Covid | August 2023
- Booklet: Blood & Organ Donation in ME/CFS | January 2022