General Discussion Triathlon Talk » Blood Draw? Rss Feed  
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2014-10-16 2:36 PM

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Subject: Blood Draw?
Hey Everyone,

I was reading this month's Triathlete Magazine and there was an article talking about how some endurance folks are now having the blood analyzed to help improve his/her nutrition plan. So as a female it peaked my interest bc I am always tired and I am ASSUMING it is due to low iron levels. I am not very competitive enough to really justify having my blood analyzed but I was wondering if anyone has done this or for whatever reason has learned something interesting bc of his/her blood results.

Hope that makes sense!
Nina


2014-10-16 2:47 PM
in reply to: Nvmiller

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Subject: RE: Blood Draw?
Originally posted by Nvmiller

Hey Everyone,

I was reading this month's Triathlete Magazine and there was an article talking about how some endurance folks are now having the blood analyzed to help improve his/her nutrition plan. So as a female it peaked my interest bc I am always tired and I am ASSUMING it is due to low iron levels. I am not very competitive enough to really justify having my blood analyzed but I was wondering if anyone has done this or for whatever reason has learned something interesting bc of his/her blood results.

Hope that makes sense!
Nina


someone posted a PSA maybe a year or so ago about female athletes and ferrous iron levels - which is a specialized test that has to be done - not a normal iron test - supposedly there are 2 different levels that guide your health, so one could be good and the other not. I haven't had these done, but something to consider
2014-10-16 3:08 PM
in reply to: Nvmiller


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Subject: RE: Blood Draw?
Have a look at www.curoseven.com they are two doctors who are also triathletes who offer that. The website tells you what tests they do etc. some triathletes from my club are getting it done, but they are very serious athletes who have their sights on Kona.
2014-10-16 3:13 PM
in reply to: NMS

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Subject: RE: Blood Draw?
Yeah I figured those you are extremely comptetive will be doing this which I would not fall into that bucket. However, on the other hand I feel like my energy levels are pretty low and this might help. So I will check out the site and see how much it costs. Maybe this will be a xmas gift to me
2014-10-16 3:28 PM
in reply to: Nvmiller

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Subject: RE: Blood Draw?

If you haven't done it already, you might consider just getting some standard bloodwork done by your doctor to check for anemia or thyroid imbalance before you do this specialized testing.

2014-10-16 3:48 PM
in reply to: laffinrock

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Subject: RE: Blood Draw?
One rather overlooked blood test that can also affect your energy levels is your vit. B12 levels. Most people assume that low energy is related to low ferrous iron levels when in fact it is more closely related to vit. B12 levels. An interesting antidote from my experience with this:

A well meaning doctor once told that I had low iron levels and was borderline anemic. So I started taking iron regularly twice a day. After about 3-4 months I noticed that I was having what felt like a hard time getting enough air. This was happening when I was working out, this was happening at odd random times for apparently no reason. It was becoming increasing worse and more frequent. I went to an internal medicine specialist to get a more comprehensive blood test and several other tests, including blood oxygen tests and an EKG. Turns out I was experiencing congestive heart failure due to excessive iron levels!!! Turned out I had an (sort of) rare form of a very specific anemia called thalasemia which meant that I wasn't dealing with low iron levels, I was dealing with very small red blood cells which mimiced standard low iron leves seen in common anemia. Because I had unusually small red blood cells, the cells were having hard time transporting oxygen to the brain which was causeing fatigue. What I needed was to take vit. B12 instead to help facilitate the production of red blood cells which in turn aided the transportation of oxygen. My iron levels were low, but because my red blood cells were so small, the low levels were all they could handle. By increasing my iron levels it overtaxed my circulatory system and nearly shut down my heart and almost killed me. I had no idea this was happening and the doctor who told me to increase my iron levels had no idea this was happening because she only took a basic iron level test.

So, the moral of the story is: if you're going to get you blood tests for basic iron levels be very certain you get your B12 levels tested and get a comprehensive blood test to check for anything that could be happening other than just low iron levels. Anemia isn't always just a cut and dry low iron level issue. There are different types of blood disorders that can feel like simple sluggish feelings but in fact are much more complicated issues.


2014-10-16 7:59 PM
in reply to: Nvmiller

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Subject: RE: Blood Draw?
Originally posted by Nvmiller

Yeah I figured those you are extremely comptetive will be doing this which I would not fall into that bucket. However, on the other hand I feel like my energy levels are pretty low and this might help. So I will check out the site and see how much it costs. Maybe this will be a xmas gift to me


You don't have to be an elite racer to ask your doctor for a complete blood workup if your energy level is low. If you have health insurance you shouldn't have to pay anything.

The iron test referred to above is for ferritin, which has become a more standard part of bloodwork in addition to hemoglobin, especially for women. Some doctors will still say that ferritin doesn't affect energy levels-- but they are wrong. And as has been mentioned by others, you'd also want thyroid and vitaminB12 checked.

I would assume the expensive, non-insured testing you are talking about is testing during exercise.
2014-10-16 8:01 PM
in reply to: jennifer_runs

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Subject: RE: Blood Draw?
i'd also point out - you cna have thyroid issues but have completely 'normal' levels (aka, me)
2014-10-16 8:09 PM
in reply to: austhokie

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Subject: RE: Blood Draw?

Our kid's doctor has been ordering serum ferritin blood tests for our kids the last 2 years due to their activity levels. 

2014-10-16 8:34 PM
in reply to: Left Brain

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Subject: RE: Blood Draw?
Originally posted by Left Brain

Our kid's doctor has been ordering serum ferritin blood tests for our kids the last 2 years due to their activity levels. 



Very interesting! And good to know that some doctors are finally seeing that this can be an issue. Problem is once you get low in ferritin, it can take a few months to get back to where your performance isn't suffering.

My family doctor is really good, but I was told by another women's health specialist that low ferritin levels would not affect performance. Next time I should bring her some articles.
2014-10-16 10:29 PM
in reply to: jennifer_runs

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Subject: RE: Blood Draw?

Originally posted by jennifer_runs
Originally posted by Left Brain

Our kid's doctor has been ordering serum ferritin blood tests for our kids the last 2 years due to their activity levels. 

Very interesting! And good to know that some doctors are finally seeing that this can be an issue. Problem is once you get low in ferritin, it can take a few months to get back to where your performance isn't suffering. My family doctor is really good, but I was told by another women's health specialist that low ferritin levels would not affect performance. Next time I should bring her some articles.

Actually,  one of my kid's coaches first suggested it a couple of years ago, but the doctor was 100% behind it and this year ordered it on his own in conjunction with their athletic physical for school.  We eat a fair amount of red meat and raw spinach so it hasn't been an issue for them, but I can point to at least 2 of their teammates who tested really low while putting up sub par performances.  And yeah, it took a few months to get them straitened out.



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