Iron

Iron is a mineral your body needs to make healthy red blood cells and transport oxygen. This test measures the iron in your blood, which can be too high or too low for various reasons.

When elevated: Elevated iron levels may indicate hemochromatosis, excessive supplementation, or recent transfusion. Chronic elevation can lead to organ damage through oxidative stress, particularly affecting the liver, heart, and pancreas. When low: Low iron levels suggest iron deficiency, chronic blood loss, or poor absorption. This can result in iron deficiency anemia, fatigue, impaired cognitive function, and reduced exercise capacity.

Iron is critical for athletes because it directly supports oxygen delivery to working muscles and aerobic energy production during training. Endurance athletes, female athletes, and those with high training volumes are at higher risk for iron deficiency, which can impair performance, reduce power output, and slow recovery. Regular iron monitoring helps optimize oxygen-carrying capacity and maintain consistent training intensity and adaptation.