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Is Iron Supplements Recommended When Suffering From "dead Legs" Syndrome?
Question: My 15 year old daughter is a long distance runner on her high school cross country team. She is suffering from "dead legs" the inability to recover after a race and just not having energy while racing. Her iron profile looks like this: Iron 235, TIBC 432, Ferritin 15, and Hemoglobin 13.3. Would you recommend an iron supplement?
Brief Answer:
Iron supplements not required
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcare-Magic
Greetings of the day
Dear Ms,
The cause of her symptoms is not due to Iron deficiency , which is collaborated by the fact that her Iron study is normal.
Her Serum Iron levels are 235 ( Normal reference range is 26-240)
Ferritin 15( Normal referenc range is 12-160ngm/ml)
Hemoglobin is 13.3( Reference range is 12-14gm%)
Iron therapy is definitely not indicated. The cause of her symptoms are likely to be due to following factors
1. Dehydration/Decreased intake of fluids
2. Decreased intake of Calcium and Electrolytes
I would suggest the following
1. Ensure adequate intake of water
2. Calcium supplement
3. Oral Glucose supplement will energize her before the race
Do get back to me if you need any further assistance,will be glad to assist you.
Take Care
Best Regards
Dr Deepak Kaltari
Iron supplements not required
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to Healthcare-Magic
Greetings of the day
Dear Ms,
The cause of her symptoms is not due to Iron deficiency , which is collaborated by the fact that her Iron study is normal.
Her Serum Iron levels are 235 ( Normal reference range is 26-240)
Ferritin 15( Normal referenc range is 12-160ngm/ml)
Hemoglobin is 13.3( Reference range is 12-14gm%)
Iron therapy is definitely not indicated. The cause of her symptoms are likely to be due to following factors
1. Dehydration/Decreased intake of fluids
2. Decreased intake of Calcium and Electrolytes
I would suggest the following
1. Ensure adequate intake of water
2. Calcium supplement
3. Oral Glucose supplement will energize her before the race
Do get back to me if you need any further assistance,will be glad to assist you.
Take Care
Best Regards
Dr Deepak Kaltari
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Thank you for your reply. What about the popular thought now that ferritin levels should be higher for distance athletes than for a non athlete? Some articles I have read state that ferritin levels for runners should be at least over 30 at the low end?
Your answer is consistent with my daughter's pediatrician.
Your answer is consistent with my daughter's pediatrician.
Brief Answer:
It will not be helpful
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Dear Ms
When the Hemoglobin level is within normal limit, when oral Iron is given the rate of absorption of Iron gets decreased. So giving Iron won't be helpful.
Also she is a growing child and its not advisable to experiment with her based on few studies. A nourishing diet and healthy lifestyle is all that she requires.
Wishing you and your family a very happy and healthy life
Take Care
Regards
Deepak
It will not be helpful
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Dear Ms
When the Hemoglobin level is within normal limit, when oral Iron is given the rate of absorption of Iron gets decreased. So giving Iron won't be helpful.
Also she is a growing child and its not advisable to experiment with her based on few studies. A nourishing diet and healthy lifestyle is all that she requires.
Wishing you and your family a very happy and healthy life
Take Care
Regards
Deepak
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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