Cycling and Anemia
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- CXCommuter
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Cycling and Anemia
Postby CXCommuter » Wed Mar 13, 2013 5:09 pm
I have taken low concentration iron tablets for the last three months with no impact.
I am freaking out more than a little as I am 38, healthy (72kg/174cm tall), fit, eat well (I am definitely not vegetarian) including lots of fibre. And my research indicates that blood loss is the primary concern with anemia (ie from ulcers or bowel cancer- which scares me sh?tless pardoning the pun).
Is there anyone out there with some sage advice or should I await the double scope (irst time for this also) and associated indignities to find out what the future awaits?
Thanks
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Re: Cycling and Anemia
Postby Venus62 » Wed Mar 13, 2013 6:12 pm
There are things you can do to enhance iron absorption but once again I would assume your doctor has discussed this with you at some point. Iron metabolism is pretty straight forward. If your levels are low you are either not absorbing enough or are losing it through blood loss.
Lastly, not all anaemias are related to iron levels; there are lots of other causes including autoimmune conditions.
- sogood
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Re: Cycling and Anemia
Postby sogood » Wed Mar 13, 2013 6:41 pm
Otherwise depends on your level of anaemia and presence of symptoms, you should adjust your activities accordingly. Anaemia may be associated with fainting episodes and as such, riding on the road and at speed may not be safe. Further, health is attained through long term exercise rather than a short intense program. As such, I'd say that you should at least back off from your high intensity regime. Having said that, 20km ride at a comfortable pace should not be a problem if you have been a regular rider.
YMMV.
RK wrote:And that is Wikipedia - I can write my own definition.
- CXCommuter
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Re: Cycling and Anemia
Postby CXCommuter » Thu Mar 14, 2013 11:28 am
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Re: Cycling and Anemia
Postby Sturgis » Fri Mar 15, 2013 12:15 pm
Hope you get it sorted soon, its not a nice feeling being low in iron.
Cheers,
Sturgis
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Re: Cycling and Anemia
Postby durianrider » Mon Mar 18, 2013 5:28 pm
How many years have you been vegan for cxcommuter?CXCommuter wrote:Thanks for the replies and advice. To clarify I have extremely low ferritin (iron stores) so it is iron deficiency anemia that I have. Nothing has been ruled out at this stage but with my history of GORD it is a front runner for the cause of blood loss. It is so annoying as I have felt fantastic the last 4-5 months.
- CXCommuter
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Re: Cycling and Anemia
Postby CXCommuter » Tue Mar 19, 2013 11:32 am
Durianrider I have never vegetarian or vegan- but have eaten less meat over the last year trying to increase my vegetable intake and reduce overall energy intake (mostly achieved this from stopping eating refined sugars like softdrinks, juice etc).durianrider wrote:How many years have you been vegan for cxcommuter?CXCommuter wrote:Thanks for the replies and advice. To clarify I have extremely low ferritin (iron stores) so it is iron deficiency anemia that I have. Nothing has been ruled out at this stage but with my history of GORD it is a front runner for the cause of blood loss. It is so annoying as I have felt fantastic the last 4-5 months.
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Re: Cycling and Anemia
Postby durianrider » Tue Mar 19, 2013 1:44 pm
I know its common practice in pro sport to do iron injections but Im not recommending that.
Can meat eaters really get iron deficiency? I guess it might explain why every supermarket in the western world sells iron pills.
- Strawburger
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Re: Cycling and Anemia
Postby Strawburger » Tue Mar 19, 2013 1:56 pm
Is that a serious statement?durianrider wrote:I thought only vegans get iron deficient cos plants don't contain iron. Or protein.
I know its common practice in pro sport to do iron injections but Im not recommending that.
Can meat eaters really get iron deficiency? I guess it might explain why every supermarket in the western world sells iron pills.
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Re: Cycling and Anemia
Postby Venus62 » Tue Mar 19, 2013 2:11 pm
You obviously haven't had the pleasure of reading durianrider's "enlightening" posts before. The logic goes something like this. If a person who eats meat is also iron-deficient, then the only conclusion is that all the research that has shown that vegetarians and vegans can struggle with iron and B12 levels are all simply conspiracy theories.Strawburger wrote: Is that a serious statement?
- Strawburger
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Re: Cycling and Anemia
Postby Strawburger » Tue Mar 19, 2013 2:14 pm
- casual_cyclist
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Re: Cycling and Anemia
Postby casual_cyclist » Tue Mar 19, 2013 3:35 pm
No. He's just trolling again.Strawburger wrote:Is that a serious statement?durianrider wrote:I thought only vegans get iron deficient cos plants don't contain iron. Or protein.
I know its common practice in pro sport to do iron injections but Im not recommending that.
Can meat eaters really get iron deficiency? I guess it might explain why every supermarket in the western world sells iron pills.
- CXCommuter
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- Joined: Thu Feb 14, 2013 12:18 pm
- Location: Lane Cove NSW
Re: Cycling and Anemia
Postby CXCommuter » Thu Apr 11, 2013 10:47 am
Thankfully nothing scary but another thing that needs long term maintenance (Diverticular Disease is called the Western Disease as it appears our low fibre diet means it is largely seen in europe, north america and australia/new zealand)
- matagi
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Re: Cycling and Anemia
Postby matagi » Thu Apr 11, 2013 8:56 pm
I had a screening colonoscopy last year (family history of bowel cancer). Bowel was fine except for mild diverticulosis - much to my annoyance, because I eat a reasonably high fibre diet already. My gastro suggested the psyllium trick and said I'd have to do it for the rest of my life. Great! Just what I wanted to hear!
I chuck it on my muesli and add a little extra fluid (milk in my case) to compensate.
- CXCommuter
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Re: Cycling and Anemia
Postby CXCommuter » Tue Jun 25, 2013 10:54 am
ps. sorry to reinvigorate this old topic.
- casual_cyclist
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Re: Cycling and Anemia
Postby casual_cyclist » Tue Jun 25, 2013 10:57 am
It's good to have an update and sounds like you're going ok. Good news!CXCommuter wrote:Just had my three month review and blood test- looking much better- iron stores risen from 17 to 115 (recommended minimum 30), aiming for 250-300 as the maximum is 500 (not sure of units sorry). Good news as getting a bit sick of eating as many boiled eggs as Durianrider eats bananas (not quite but up to three a day at doctors orders) plus steak/beef regularly and two iron tablets a day. Will be down to 1 iron tablet a day, with 1 egg a day also for the next six months. Getting enough fibre not a problem based on my diet according to the doc.
ps. sorry to reinvigorate this old topic.
- ColinOldnCranky
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Re: Cycling and Anemia
Postby ColinOldnCranky » Tue Jun 25, 2013 9:14 pm
When you head to the Red Cross to give blood they may assume that you are anaemic but, in my experience, seldom suggest that it may be recent or extended high intensity physical activity and that everything is working as it should.
Periods also reduce the red cell count.
So, evaluate as to whether your are, indeed, anaemic or just working hard. If it's just hard work then address it with diet or iron supplements or both. If using iron tablets be prepared to have work a little harder than normal when you take a crap, some do constipate you a bit.
From your update it seems that these are steps you have taken anyway.
- CXCommuter
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Re: Cycling and Anemia
Postby CXCommuter » Wed Jun 26, 2013 8:43 am
ColinOldnCranky- agree 100% with you on the working hard affecting iron stores. Unfortunuately it didn't explain the really low iron stores which came from a perfect storm of lower than normal absorption due to taking acid reducing medication (for reflux), giving whole blood and lots of intense exercise (no periods thankfully as being male). Having removed the first cab off the rank (blood donations) and iron supplements things have improved without impacting my exercise etc. All undertaken under doctor request/supervision. Aiming to restart plasma donations in the new year as I consider it a civic duty to assist this vital service.ColinOldnCranky wrote:CXCommuter, are you aware that if you carry out a lot of physical activity, as many riders would do, then your red cell count will naturally be low. I'd guess that many/most on this forum do intense exercise for long stretches.
When you head to the Red Cross to give blood they may assume that you are anaemic but, in my experience, seldom suggest that it may be recent or extended high intensity physical activity and that everything is working as it should.
Periods also reduce the red cell count.
So, evaluate as to whether your are, indeed, anaemic or just working hard. If it's just hard work then address it with diet or iron supplements or both. If using iron tablets be prepared to have work a little harder than normal when you take a crap, some do constipate you a bit.
From your update it seems that these are steps you have taken anyway.
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