Iron and Calcium Needs Iron deficiency or iron deficiency is most common in those athletes undergoing heavy training. Iron is a trace mineral which is necessary for the formation of haemoglobin and myoglobin. Focus has been on effects of iron deficiency and potential improvements associated with iron supplementation.
Iron status is assessed through sampling blood or bone marrow.
Iron is absorbed in the small intestine and combines with the protein transferritin which transports it in the blood. The iron then combines to another protein to form ferritin, the storage form of iron. When erythrocytes are produced, iron binds with the protein protoporphyrin to form the haem portion of haemoglobin. This stage is also called pre-latent iron deficiency. The second stage in iron deficiency involves impaired erythrocyte production and is called iron-deficient erythropoiesis.