Low red blood cell count

[Eden]

I should think it would adversely affect your training/fitness - red blood cells carry oxygen all throughout your body and if you don't have enough then you probably won't be able to perform at your best. (and think about guys who get accused of cheating - they are often doing things to increase their hematocrit, since it does give you and edge even to have a little increase). It could be that not anemic is not enough for average joe couch potato to notice, but since you are an athlete you may feel the lack more acutely.

[LBTC]

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{Kate}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

I'm sorry you felt like crap during your last race. I wouldn't at all be surprised if it's the low red blood cell count - makes lots of sense to me.

Eden is right about your athleticism and how much more the variation could be affecting you than the average person. Have you discused with your doctor the amount of exercise that you do, and how you've been feeling? It makes me wonder if there are any simple, non-invasive ways of improving the count that the doc would want to do when he/she sees the whole picture?

I'm afraid I can't answer your question about changing eating habits either. I've always been and always will be an omnivore. There are times that I crave meat and I just know I need protein.....and so I have some! It's a good thing!

Good luck and keep us posted on how you feel and what happens with your blood count.

Hugs and bright red butterflies to pump you up!

~T~

[Duck on Wheels]

{{{{Kate}}}}

I too can readily see where a low red blood cell count can hamper your performance. After all, the job of the red cells is to get oxygen out there to your muscles and cart lactic acid and CO2 away. Fewer red blood cells means less energy to the muscles. That's why unethical top athletes take blood transfusions or EPO before competitions (if they can get away with it).

A bigger question, then, is why the low red blood cell count. If the rest of your blood work looks fine (enough iron, enough B12, and so on), then you may have a low count due to internal bleeding. With UC, that would be no big surprise. I suggest you talk this over with your doctor, see if there are other indications that your UC is flaring, or if not exactly flaring then maybe nevertheless not totally under control. If so, then ask if there's anything you can do to push it further into remission.

Meanwhile ... great that you're nevertheless out there riding and staying in shape! That'll help, whatever your UC throws at you!

[annie]

Kate,

Another idea to help add iron to your diet, other than becoming an omnivore, is to cook your food in cast iron. Some of the iron actually leeches out into the food. Cooking eggs this way is particularly effective. Wouldn't hurt to give it a try! I love the way food cooks in cast iron.

Annie

[Dianyla]

Seconding the suggestion to have your iron levels tested and if indicated begin supplementing with it. The first most likely cause of anemia is menstruation. The second most likely cause is gastrointestinal bleeding. It sounds like you've got both situations.

Eating more red meat, especially organ meats like liver will also help bring your levels up. These dietary sources of iron contain heme-iron which is readily absorbed by your body. All vegetarian sources of iron as well as iron supplements contain non-heme iron which is absorbed but not as easily. It's important to get tested before taking any heavy-duty iron pills because it is possible to have an overload of iron.

Also make sure you're getting enough B12 and vitamin C, those are important cofactors to utilizing iron.