Thread: Blood, iron and haemaglobin (spelling?)

Okay, I donate plasma every 2 weeks. I also have blood tests every now and then - probably twice in the last year.

Always, my iron (measured by Haemaglobin I believe) comes back right at the low end of the normal scale.

So I figured my iron supplementation (2x multi-vits and 1 or 2 x 5g iron supps) was not sufficient for my training schedule.

I also have occasional problems with energy during the day which can be traced to possible iron deficiencies.

Chemist gave me a much stronger iron supplement - 105g. I take 1 tablet per day, usually with brekky which includes some juice (vitamin C to aid iron absorption).

Day 3 of using the new iron supplement which is WAY higher than the RDA and much more suited to my athlete status - I donated blood and still had a very low HB reading (125). They insisted on doing an additional blood test before giving me the all clear to donate and that came back higher but still very low (134).

I have noticed better energy levels during the day.

So after all of that, my question is - why would my HB still be low when my iron intake is so high. Would it be affecting my running, etc, through a lack of red blood cells? Is there anything I should be doing differently?

Note - I am a bit concerned because the red cross had a note from their lab requesting extra blood be taken for them to run more tests centrally due to my HB readings. But I wont ever get any results unless they have an urgent cause to advise me of a problem.

Thats a real concern mate. Did you have low iron before you started your high volume of training (a few years ago). Just taking a stab in the dark that your high level of activity could be affecting your absorbsion somewhat?

Originally Posted by Big Tim

Thats a real concern mate. Did you have low iron before you started your high volume of training (a few years ago). Just taking a stab in the dark that your high level of activity could be affecting your absorbsion somewhat?

I didn't have low iron before. In fact it was a doc about a year ago when I first had low energy issues who said I was a bit anaemic. He told me (and I validated it afterward) that atheletes have a much higher demand for iron and therefore frequently require supplementation. The blood services seems quite familiar with that.

My concern is why is my HB so low AFTER I have moved to such a high supplementation level. Is something preventing me from producing red blood cells or something?

Maybe not donate for a couple of months. Give your body time to sort itself out and see if that builds up your iron levels.

The only other thing I could think of would be some sort of internal bleeding which is why your iron levels continue to be low.

Originally Posted by soriminah

iron levels continue to be low.

I uspect they are not low. I suspect my HB is low which is usually an indicaor of low iron but CAN be something else.

The something else worries me.

I wonder if there is something you are taking (supplement/food) that is hindering the absorption process.
Take it with Vit C and avoid taking it with zinc.

It may help to post up your diet?

Fiber can interfere with absorption of a number of things.

Originally Posted by Rusha

I wonder if there is something you are taking (supplement/food) that is hindering the absorption process.
Take it with Vit C and avoid taking it with zinc.

The first one I took on it's own. Otherwise I have been taking it with breakfast specifically because it includes orange juice. No zinc that I am aware of - although I do take the other multi-vit which does include some zinc.

In reference to Andrew - I take it with brekky that includes oats - so yes with fibre. But like I said - I feel much better energy wise. So I doubt my iron is low. It is just that since I brought it up (or believe I brought itu p) my HB didn't follow.