Iron Deficiency

Question 1

What will a depletion in the body’s iron stores result in?

Answer 1

-reduction in oxygen transport capacity

Question 2

Alternate name for red blood cell

Answer 2

erythrocyte (disc, hemoglobin, gas transport)

Question 3

Erythropoiesis?

Answer 3

-process of RBC production

Question 4

Ferritin

Answer 4

-iron storage protein (levels reflect amount of iron stored)

Question 5

Transferrin

Answer 5

-iron binding protein (transports iron in blood)

Question 6

Hemoglobin

Answer 6

-iron containing protein in RBC (carries oxygen and returns C02)

Question 7

Myoglobin

Answer 7

-iron containing protein in muscles (carries oxygen to mitochondria)

Question 8

Iron stores in males?

Answer 8

55mg/kg

Question 9

Iron stores in females?

Answer 9

45mg/kg

Question 10

Three stages of iron deficiency

Answer 10

1) pre-latent (iron storage depletion)
2) latent (iron deficiency erythropoiesis)
3) anemia

Question 11

pre-latent iron deficiency

Answer 11

-depleted iron stores (liver, spleen, bone marrow)
-low serum ferritin
-increased transferrin saturation
-normal Hb

Question 12

Latent iron deficiency

Answer 12

-erythropoiesis is impaired (iron supply reduced)
-low serum ferritin
-normal Hb

Question 13

Anemia

Answer 13

-Hb synthesis falls
-low serum ferritin
-low Hb*****

Question 14

Sensitivity

Answer 14

-measures the ability of a test to correctly identify individuals WHO HAVE specific disease/condition

Question 15

Specificity

Answer 15

-ability of a test to correctly identify individuals who DO NOT have the disease

Question 16

What levels of ferritin merit investigation?

Answer 16

<35ug/L

Question 17

What levels of Hb in females marks anemia?

Answer 17

Hb <120g/L

Question 18

What levels of Hb in males marks anemia?

Answer 18

Hb <130g/L

Question 19

Who should receive annual blood screening?

Answer 19

-no history of iron def
-no irregular/excessive menses
-minimal endurance (in sport)

Question 20

Who should receive bi-annual blood screening?

Answer 20

-women
-intention to take on high (endurance) training load
-minimal reported prolonged fatigue
-previous history of iron depletion or heavy/irregular menses
-Stage 1

Question 21

Who should receive quarterly blood screening?

Answer 21

-unexplained poor athletic performance and fatigue
-individuals restricting dietary iron (vegetarian)
-Stage 1/2/3
-irregular/excessive menses

Question 22

Symptoms and signs of low iron

Answer 22

-sensitive to cold (extremities)
-dizziness
-low energy levels (prolonged fatigue)
-poor athletic performance
-weakness
-pale skin

Question 23

Which athletes are at risk?

Answer 23

-females
-endurance athletes
-low energy availability (REDs)
-athletes with disordered eating
-vegan and vegetarian
-medical conditions (celiac)

Question 24

Athletes need what % more iron than non-athletes

Answer 24

30-70%

Question 25

Exercise induced mechanisms in iron loss

Answer 25

-hemolysis (rupture of blood cells), hematuria (blood in urine), sweating, GI bleeding, injuries

Question 26

Treatment for iron deficiency

Answer 26

1) supplements (side effects)
2) iron rich diet (BEST!)
3) intravenous (cannot tolerate oral iron)

Question 27

Iron rich foods

Answer 27

-lean meats, dark meat (chicken/turkey)
-beans, lentils, nuts
-iron fortified cereals
-green leafy vegetables (spinach, broccoli)
-dried fruit (raisins, apricots, prunes)

Question 28

Heme iron

Answer 28

-from animal sources (meat)

Question 29

Non-heme iron

Answer 29

-from plant sources

Question 30

What helps improve absorption

Answer 30

-include vitamin C rich foods
-avoid teas, coffee, dairy products w/ meals