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Occult Gastrointestinal Blood Loss in Marathon Runners
- LAURENCE F. McMAHON, Jr., M.D., M.P.H.;
- MICHAEL J. RYAN, M.D.;
- DANIEL LARSON, M.D.; and
- ROSEMARIE L. FISHER, M.D.
Excerpt
Runners have developed several unique health problems, including "runner's anemia." A review of studies of runner's anemia shows that ferritin (1-2), serum haptoglobin (1-3), and serum iron (1-3) levels are often lower in runners than in controls and that some runners have actual anemia (2-4). The mechanisms for these abnormal hematologic values and anemia have been believed to be secondary to hemoglobinuria from erythrocyte destruction in the feet (1, 3), iron loss through sweat (5), hematuria (6), and impaired iron absorption (5). However, in no study were runners examined to rule out occult gastrointestinal blood loss as a possible cause.
This 100-word excerpt has been provided in the absence of an abstract.
Note in Proof
Since this manuscript was submitted, a survey of marathon runners was reported that supports the high incidence of guaiac positivity after a marathon (10).
Acknowledgments
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS: The authors thank the American Medical Joggers Association and its members who participated; Dr. Fredrick Gorelick for assistance; Ann Palmeri and Maria DeMusis for secretarial assistance; and Dianne Cesaroni for editorial advice.
Article and Author Information
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Grant support: Dr. McMahon is supported by the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation.
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▸Requests for reprints should be addressed to Laurence F. McMahon, Jr., M.D., M.P.H.; 92 LMP, Yale University School of Medicine, 333 Cedar Street; New Haven, CT 06510.
