Sports Anaemia and Iron Deficiency

My experience with developing anaemia through training, lifting, cardio, and genetic disease

2021 was the 3rd time I have become anaemic through iron loss leading to deficiency in red blood cells. I never want to go through this again. I spent days involuntarily pinned to the sofa - willpower or stimulants do not help - I would rather have been in prison in solitary confinement. I rate my QoL (Quality Of Life) score to be a fat ZERO whilst that badly anaemic. If this helps one person, I'll be happy with that.

It is torture - sure, you could do a 9 to 5 office job with low iron, ferritin and screwed up RBCs, but training on top? No chance. So, I'm documenting here for myself what not to do in the future.

This article summarises how bad I felt while anaemic

• Genetic: It turns out, a few months after writing this that my father has a form of genetic anaemia, and so do other members of his family. I do not yet have a DX, but presumably this is my issue
• Hypothyroidism / hypothyroid episodes may deplete iron
• Celiac disease - gluten damages stomach lining causing inability to absorb iron (typically present with other autoimmune disease)
• Foot striking from cardio - if you have malapsorption problems with iron, you may need a LOT of supplementation to counter the loss
• Blood in stools - particularly from powerlifting squats/deads. This may or may NOT be visibile. A colonoscopy may be required.

• Iron supplementation OTC — good to maintain levels, takes months to replenish
• Iron supplementation prescription (Ferrous fumarate) - I have restored iron quickly by megadosing this but do not recommend it
• Iron infusion — intravenous. Harley street — if your time is valuable.
• Keep thyroid levels (FT3) within range. Or adjust by TSH.