Stay Strong

Education

Why iron matters?

Iron is essential for delivering oxygen to muscles and powering energy production — without enough, fatigue sets in fast, performance drops, and recovery slows. In young female athletes, low iron (especially stored iron measured by ferritin) is common (15–52% affected) due to growth, periods, and intense training. It often looks like “burnout” — tiredness, lost motivation, frequent sickness — long before anemia shows on standard tests. One simple ferritin check can catch it early, allowing quick fixes so she stays strong, focused, and in love with her sport.

When to test ferritin?

Test ferritin levels 1–2 times per year for young female athletes, or more often if they show signs of fatigue, poor recovery, frequent illness, or performance dips. Ideal times include: pre-season (baseline), mid-season (monitor changes), post-season (recovery check), or after heavy training blocks. If a girl has heavy periods, rapid growth, or vegetarian/vegan diet, test every 3–6 months to catch drops early. Low ferritin often appears before anemia, so regular screening prevents lost seasons. This is general information only, not medical advice. Always consult your child’s primary care physician to determine the right testing schedule and follow-up care.

When to test CBC?

For young female athletes, test CBC (Complete Blood Count) 1–2 times per year, or more often if they show signs of fatigue, frequent illness, poor recovery, or performance dips. Ideal times include: pre-season (baseline), mid-season (monitor changes), post-season (recovery check), or after heavy training. If a girl has heavy periods, rapid growth, or symptoms of anemia, test every 3–6 months to catch issues early. CBC checks hemoglobin, red blood cells, and more to detect anemia that can cause tiredness and weakness. This is general information only, not medical advice. Always consult your child’s primary care physician to determine the right testing schedule and follow-up care.

Athletes in endurance sports, such as long-distance running, cycling, swimming, and triathlons, are statistically the most susceptible to low iron and ferritin levels, with prevalence rates of 30–60% in females due to prolonged exercise, foot-strike hemolysis, sweat losses, and increased hepcidin (which impairs iron absorption). Studies show up to 52% of adolescent female athletes overall experience iron deficiency, but endurance disciplines see the highest impact on performance, reducing VO2 max by 10–20% and mimicking burnout symptoms. Team and intermittent sports like basketball and soccer follow with 20–40% rates. These are general statistics from peer-reviewed sources (e.g., British Journal of Sports Medicine, 2024; Journal of Sport and Health Science, 2024) and may vary by individual factors like diet, menstruation, training intensity, and genetics. Low iron can affect athletes in any sport or activity differently—always consult a physician for personalized testing and advice. This is not medical advice.

Which sports are more prone to low iron levels?

When to test Ferritin?

Test ferritin levels 1–2 times per year for young female athletes, or more often if they show fatigue, poor recovery, frequent illness, or performance dips. Ideal times include pre-season, mid-season, post-season, or after heavy training. If a girl has heavy periods, rapid growth, or vegetarian/vegan diet, test every 3–6 months. Early screening prevents lost seasons. This is general information only, not medical advice. Always consult your primary care physician for the right testing schedule.

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