Athlete Labs
OBTAINING LABS IS AS EASY AS 1,2,3!
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Schedule a video call with a provider
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Labs will be ordered from Quest
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Results typically delivered within 48-72 hours
Iron Deficiency: A common yet overlooked issue.
Iron deficiency (ID) is a prevalent nutritional deficiency affecting billions worldwide, including a significant portion of industrialized populations. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not solely associated with anemia. Many athletes and individuals experience symptoms of iron deficiency without developing full-blown anemia as anemia is a late finding of iron deficiency.
Common symptoms of ID, even in the absence of anemia:
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Exercise Intolerance
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Fatigue
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Muscle weakness
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Hair loss
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Difficulty concentrating
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Restless legs
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Sleep disturbance
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Learning difficulties
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Headaches
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Mood changes
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Pica (an eating disorder in which non-food items are craved and consumed; cravings for ice are commonly seen with ID)
Iron Deficiency and Athletic Performance
Athletes are particularly susceptible to iron deficiency due to factors like iron loss through sweat, increased oxygen demands and inadequate nutrition. Furthermore, menstruating females can experience deficiencies in iron stores . Often athletes and endurance coaches do not realize that suboptimal iron/ferritin levels can significantly impact athletic performance.​
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Understanding Ferritin
Ferritin is a key protein for storing iron and a commonly used biomarker for overall iron stores. If your medical provider orders a Complete Blood Count (CBC) and these levels are normal, this does not rule out iron deficiency/low ferritin levels. One must request iron studies to evaluate iron/ferritin levels. It’s important to note that ferritin levels can be influenced by inflammation.
Interpreting Ferritin Results
A low ferritin level signifies iron deficiency. Young athletes ideally have ferritin levels of at least 30-40, while all children should exceed 15.
Elevated ferritin can indicate intense inflammation or iron overload (hemochromatosis). Iron overload is rarer than deficiency, particularly in children and adolescents. It primarily affects those with hereditary hemochromatosis or those receiving numerous blood transfusions for cancer or blood disorders.
Other iron tests include total iron binding capacity, iron saturation, and serum iron. Serum iron, influenced by recent iron intake, is less reliable than ferritin for detecting iron deficiency.
Is a Ferritin Test Safe?
Yes, a ferritin test is very safe with minimal risk of minor bruising or bleeding at the blood draw site.
All females experiencing menstrual periods should consider ferritin testing, regardless of athletic status. For athletes, especially male endurance athletes, and those exhibiting iron deficiency symptoms, ferritin assessment should be considered
It’s crucial to examine the specific ferritin number and not just rely on normal ranges, as endurance athletes "normal" ranges may be different than the general population.
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What Will Happen During My Telemedicine Visit?
Your provider will take a detailed history and then labs will likely be ordered. An order will then be sent in to Quest Diagnostics. Once your labs have been drawn, it usually takes 2-3 days to receive your results. If you haven't received your results 4 days after your blood draw please email texasmobilemedic@gmail.com to request your results. ​​
Telehealth
After the video consultation with your provider labs will be ordered. Depending on your athlete's history the following labs may be considered: CBC, CMP, TSH, Vitamin D, Iron Studies, Ferritin, Mono testing.