Field Guide
TCM — Yang Deficiency
Yang is the warming, activating force. Kidney Yang deficiency presents as coldness, low drive, and fluid retention — often paralleling hypothyroid and adrenal patterns.
The clinical picture
Symptoms, causes & labs
Common symptoms
- Cold lower back and knees
- Low libido, low motivation
- Frequent, clear urination
- Pale complexion, edema
Possible root causes
- Chronic exhaustion, cold exposure
- Aging, long illness
- Over-restriction of nourishing foods
Labs a practitioner may consider
- TCM pulse and tongue diagnosis
- TSH, free T3/T4, reverse T3, DHEA-S (as Western correlates)
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Medical disclaimer
This page is educational only. It is NOT medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Do not self-treat based on the information here. If you have symptoms, consult a licensed healthcare professional.