I few months ago, I posted about what a horrible meet, performance-wise, I had at short course nats this year. Couldn't figure out why I swam so slow, and why I was feeling so fatigued.
Anyway, I had a physical a few weeks later, and my blood work showed my ferritin level at 11, and my hematocrit at 39%. Both very low values for an endurance athlete. Doctor has me taking iron pills (ferrous sulfate, 325 mg, twice daily), and I've been taking Proferrin ES for about 6 weeks. Just in the last month, I've noticed a huge increase in performance. I went a :52:33 for my swim split at Ironman Boulder, and I've been feeling great in workouts. Anybody else ever experienced iron deficiency? I'm wondering if the increased performance I'm seeing is due to the replenished iron, or if it's due to something else.
Okay, I think some of you folks are being a bit judgemental about the red meat comment. Notice it wasn't the only reason he gave. Also, realize that most of us deal with a general practicioner, not someone who deals with people who train 20 hrs a week. I guess it's also my fault that I condensed his statement about iron-rich foods.
Anyway, I don't have any symptoms of internal bleeding or any other indications of excessive blood loss. If you research some of the distance running forums, there's a lot of comments about very low ferritin levels in runners. One of the causes for this, among others, is that foot strikes can cause ruptures in many of the capillaries in your feet, leading to blood loss. There's also some interesting comments about how iron levels can affect performance.
running.competitor.com/.../iron-level-upkeep-for-runners_63445www.runnersworld.com/.../ferritin-and-fatigue
I'm not a Dr., so I do not feel qualified to comment on potential medical issues. I am a swimmer and realize that sometimes when things appear to go bad, and performance is perceived as sub-par; some individuals begin improving. The improvements can stem from better eating habits, more rigorous/lengthy workouts, the body naturally adjusting to the workouts coupled with some rest, or a training change from sprint to endurance work, etc. I think the main key is that you are concerned with the performance and are attempting to improve...potentially self-fulfilling.
That last sentence pretty much says it all. Looking at all possible aspects and seeing what you can do to improve each one.
I had a follow-up blood test done last Friday. It showed my iron levels pretty much back to normal, so the supplements worked. However, the doctor also had me tested for something called Heliobacter Pylori bacteria, and the test came back very positive. Turns out, about 50% of the population has this infection, and it's usually benign. In some cases, however, in can inhibit iron and other nutrient absorption, plus it can cause iron loss due to intestinal and stomach bleeding. As a result, I'm now on an antibiotic regimen for 10 days.
Funny thing is, many of us older athletes think we're so much healthier than the average Joe, and we tend to overlook going to the doctor for regular physicals.
I'm wondering if the increased performance I'm seeing is due to the replenished iron, or if it's due to something else.
I'm not a Dr., so I do not feel qualified to comment on potential medical issues. I am a swimmer and realize that sometimes when things appear to go bad, and performance is perceived as sub-par; some individuals begin improving. The improvements can stem from better eating habits, more rigorous/lengthy workouts, the body naturally adjusting to the workouts coupled with some rest, or a training change from sprint to endurance work, etc. I think the main key is that you are concerned with the performance and are attempting to improve...potentially self-fulfilling.
Funny thing is, many of us older athletes think we're so much healthier than the average Joe, and we tend to overlook going to the doctor for regular physicals.
Great job following up on this trident. I agree, especially for males -it see no evil, hear no evil, so there must not be any evil.
