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[Iron deficiency in female athletes]
J J Faintuch1, F R Lima, J G Carazzato
1Grupo de Medicina Esportiva e pela Clínica Geral do Hospital das Clínicas da Faculdade de Medicina da USP.
Revista Do Hospital Das Clinicas
|January 29, 1999
Summary
Elite athletes may not have overt anemia, but many experience borderline iron deficiency. This condition, often termed sports anemia, can negatively impact athletic physical fitness despite normal hemoglobin levels.
Area of Science:
- Sports Medicine
- Hematology
- Exercise Physiology
Context:
- Iron deficiency and anemia are common concerns in athletes.
- Elite athletes in São Paulo, Brazil, often present with borderline anemic states rather than overt anemia.
- Sports anemia encompasses both pseudodilutional anemia and true anemia in athletes.
Purpose:
- To investigate the prevalence of iron deficiency among young female athletes with normal hemoglobin levels.
- To identify laboratory markers indicative of iron deficiency in this population.
Summary:
- A study involving 12 young female athletes with normal hemoglobin revealed that four exhibited laboratory indicators of iron deficiency.
- These indicators included low serum ferritin, altered red cell volume, and/or reduced transferrin saturation.
- Despite normal hemoglobin, these findings suggest a significant prevalence of subclinical iron deficiency.
Impact:
- Minor iron deficiency, even without overt anemia, can impair athletic physical fitness.
- Highlights the importance of monitoring iron status in athletes beyond standard hemoglobin testing.
- Contributes to understanding the nuances of sports anemia and its subclinical manifestations.
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