Relationship among reduced level of stored iron and dietary iron in trained women

The aim of the study was to assess the relationship between dietary iron intake (both haeme- and non-haeme-iron) and its status in trained female subjects. Forty female athletes and forty non-trained women of the same age participated in this study. Blood samples were taken to assess haematological (red blood cell count-Er, haemoglobin concentration-Hb, packed cell volume-PCV) and iron related parameters (serum ferritin concentration-SF, serum iron concentration-SI, total iron binding capacity-TIBC). A self questionnaire was used to record food intake for seven days and diets were analyzed on the basis of mean daily nutrient intake, energy values, iron intake and sources of dietary iron. According to established clinical criteria for iron deficiency some athletes and control subjects shown iron depletion (20% and 10%, respectively), iron deficiency erythropoiesis (10% and 7.5%, respectively) and iron-deficient anaemia (10% and 7.5%, respectively). There was no difference in the mean total dietary iron intake between the two female groups, while the mean intake of haeme-iron was significantly lower in the control group. The findings in the present study are: (1) the significant relation exists between serum ferritin level and quantity of haeme-iron intake (but not with total iron intake), and (2) 10% of female athletes have iron deficiency.