All I pretty much do is total joint replacements, and we don't necessarily
automatically give blood just to treat the number- they have to be
symptomatic as well.

A poor diet would not likely cause such a low hemoglobin, unless perhaps the
patient had pernicious anemia. It suggests a further workup be carried out.
Although I am not an internist, a simple dietary explanation would not be
sufficient, and other potential causes should be investigated.