Nutrition
Iron Deficiency in Athletes
Iron deficiency in athletes reduces oxygen delivery and energy, especially in endurance and menstruating populations. Labs—not guesswork—should guide iron repletion.
Iron deficiency in athletes is low iron stores or availability—common in endurance sports, menstruating athletes, and plant-heavy diets—that drags oxygen delivery, fatigue, and training quality even before full anemia. Foot-strike hemolysis, sweat losses, and poor absorption amplify risk.
Ferritin and hemoglobin labs guide treatment; blind supplementation can harm if iron is not the issue.
Common questions
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Should athletes supplement iron without testing?
No—excess iron is harmful. Test ferritin and work with a clinician; pair food sources with vitamin C and separate coffee or calcium when absorption is the goal.
Related terms
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