I went for a regular physical with my GP doc a couple of weeks ago and received the lab results recently. Found out I am just below the 'normal' range for hematocrit. Normal is 39-52 and I am 38.7. My hemoglobin was slightly low too at 12.7 whereas normal for my age is 13-17. My doc isn't too worried about it, but he did mention it in the report and said we should probably do some investigation as to why I am testing anemic. Normally, I wouldn't worry too much, but now I wonder just how much harder this condition is making it for me on group rides with a bunch of guys generally 20 years younger. I am 55. I don't really have any health issues, but my mom had colon cancer and my last colonoscopy was about 7 years ago. I am in the process of scheduling my next one to rule out some sort of bleeding ulcer...or something worse.

In the past, I have felt I experienced more problems cramping on longish rides and higher intensity rides. I chalked it up to hydration (and I know that's an entirely debatable reason) and/or plain old over exertion. But now, I wonder if some of my problems have been the result of this mildly anemic condition. I eat pretty well including fairly frequent intake of foods rich in iron and I take a multi vitamin daily. I have started taking 65 mg of iron supplements each day to see if this makes any difference when we do a follow up lab test after my colonoscopy. If this doesn't have a significant impact and I remain slightly anemic, what options are there to get into the 'normal' range? How much difference would this degree of anemia make with respect to athletic performance?


I'd like some feedback from the forum since I really don't think my doc is well versed in sports medecine. I have no desire to engage in any sort of blood doping. I'd just like to hear from guys that may have been able to get their crit levels up with more conventional and legally acceptable methods.

TIA

Greg

How much do you train? Low hematocrit/hemoglobin levels have been diagnosed in endurance athletes in the past, it's a bi-product of becoming more oxygen efficient.

I have a buddy who is a very good bike racer (5th in the National TT Championship a few years back) who is also anemic. In his case, there wasn't anything UCI legal that he could do about it. He just avoided races at high altitude and is doing just fine. His only complaint is that he gets lightheaded when over 8000 ft.

Take a look at this, may help you out.
http://www.findingfreestyle.com/..._breakingthrough2010

see my article lasst week Tom Price How ST saved my life
Then Lets talk

don't put too much stock in my (or anyone's) post. anemia can be very serious, so stick with the dr's advice.

that said, it's not uncommon for endurance athletes to test 'anemic'.

I use the quotes because the measures you mention are simply concentrations. And one early, and robust, response to endurance training is an increase in plasma volume. So, if you have the same number of red blood cells as before (whenever that may be), but more plasma (essentially water), then your concentrations are down. although you may have a perfectly healthy total number of red cells. In this case, it's unlikely that your performance would be effected.

What to do? Keep training and don't worry about it (as long as the bill of health is good - refer back to the first line as necessary).

Not a bad idea to look into the symptoms of anemia to see how they stack up to your case. But remember, fatigue is not "I rode 200 miles this week, and I'm tired", it's "man, I just walked up the stairs and I'm exhausted".

In any case, the colonoscopy is probably a good idea, both to rule out a bleed, and to screen for cancer.



So, I guess my advice is to be careful about it, but don't take it too serious. But also remember it could be serious. (this is why you don't listen to the internets)

Tom - it sounds like you and I are in the same boat as far as numbers, RBC - 4.31, Hemo - 12.8 and Herma - 37.5. I am 49 and have been borderline "anemic" since I was a kid having to take a liquid prescription iron supplement that tasted dirtier than dirt! I have always felt limited by my lungs and not my legs and firmly believe my oxygen carrying capability is impared by my low numbers. I was a marathoner for the last seven years but have switched to duathlons and sprint (so far) triathlons. Please keep me in the loop if you find any method(s) of raising the levels short of eating a cow every week!

Component Your Value Standard Range Units
WBC 5.3 4.0 - 10.5 K/uL
RBC 4.20 4.22 - 5.81 MIL/uL
Hemoglobin 12.7 13.0 - 17.0 g/dL
Hematocrit 38.7 39.0 - 52.0 %
MCV 92.1 78.0 - 100.0 fL
MCH 30.2 26.0 - 34.0 pg
MCHC 32.8 30.0 - 36.0 g/dL
RDW 13.1 11.5 - 15.5 %
Platelets 197 150 - 400 K/uL
Grans 67 43 - 77 %
Grans (Abs) 3.5 1.7 - 7.7 K/uL
Lymph Rel. 23 12 - 46 %
Lymphs Abs 1.2 0.7 - 4.0 K/uL
Moncytes Rel 8 3 - 12 %
Moncytes Abs0.4 0.1 - 1.0 K/uL
Eos 2 0 - 5 %
Eosnphls Abs 0.1 0.0 - 0.7 K/uL
Basophils Rel 0 0 - 1 %
Basophils Abs0.0 0.0 - 0.1 K/uL

If you can give me any additional insight from the lab results, I'd be happy to hear it.

Thanks,
Greg