Occult Gastrointestinal Blood Loss in Marathon Runners
Authors: LAURENCE F. McMAHON
Journal: Annals of Internal Medicine (1984)

Brief Reports1 June 1984Occult Gastrointestinal Blood Loss in Marathon RunnersLAURENCE F. McMAHON Jr., M.D., M.P.H., MICHAEL J. RYAN, M.D., DANIEL LARSON, M.D., ROSEMARIE L. FISHER, M.D.LAURENCE F. McMAHON Jr., M.D., M.P.H.Search for more papers by this author, MICHAEL J. RYAN, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, DANIEL LARSON, M.D.Search for more papers by this author, ROSEMARIE L. FISHER, M.D.Search for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-100-6-846 SectionsAboutPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail ExcerptRunners 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....References1. DUFAUXHOEDERATHSTREITBERGERHOLLMANNASSMANN BAIWG. Serum ferritin, transferrin, haptoglobin and iron in middle-and long-distance runners, elite rowers, and professional racing cyclists. Int J Sports Med. 1981;2:43-6. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar2. CLEMENTASMUDSON DR. Nutritional intake and hematologic parameters in endurance runners. Physician Sports Med. 1982;101:37-43. CrossrefGoogle Scholar3. HUNDINGJORDALPAULEV ARP. Runner's anemia and iron deficiency. Acta Med Scand. 1981;209:315-8. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar4. PLOWMANMCSWEGIN SP. The effects of iron supplementation on female cross country runners. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. 1981;21:407-16. MedlineGoogle Scholar5. EHNCARLMARKHÖGLAND LBS. Iron status in athletes involved in intense physical activity. Med Sci Sports Exercise. 1980;12:61-4. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar6. SIEGELHENNEKENSSOLOMONVAN BOECKEL ACHB. Exercise-related hematuria: findings in a group of marathon runners. JAMA. 1979;241:391-2. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar7. FOGOROS R. 'Runner's trots' gastrointestinal disturbances in runners. JAMA. 1980;243:1743-4. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar8. NORFLEET R. 1,300 mg of aspirin daily does not cause positive fecal Hemocult tests. J Clin Gastroenterol. 1983;5:123-5. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar9. CLAUSEN J. Effect of physical training on cardiovascular adjustments to exercise in man. Physiol Rev. 1977;57:779-815. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar10. PORTER A. Do some marathon runners bleed into the gut? Br Med J [Clin Res]. 1983;287:1427. CrossrefMedlineGoogle Scholar This content is PDF only. To continue reading please click on the PDF icon. Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: School of Medicine and Health Services Yale University New Haven, Connecticut. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byReview article: the pathophysiology and management of gastrointestinal symptoms during physical exercise, and the role of splanchnic blood flowA History of Medical Reports on the Boston MarathonA History of Medical Reports on the Boston MarathonEfeitos do exercício físico sobre o trato gastrintestinalCT findings in runner’s colitisThe Roles of Exercise-Induced Immune System Disturbances in the Pathology of Heat StrokeEffects of ranitidine for exercise induced gastric mucosal changes and bleedingIronHematologic Disorders in the AthleteTroubles hépato-digestifs du sportifPathologie hépatogastroentérologique du sportifExercise and gastrointestinal function and disease: an evidence-based review of risks and benefitsEffect of exercise on portal vein blood flow in manTrace MineralsAnemia do atleta (II): incidência e conduta terapêuticaAnemia do atleta (I): fisiopatologia do ferroShort-term vitamin E supplementation before marathon running: a placebo-controlled trialReversible ischemic colitis in a high endurance athleteWater balance during and after marathon runningHelping Active Women Avoid AnemiaEffects of high volume and/or intense exercise on selected blood chemistry parametersLESS FREQUENT CAUSES OF LOWER GASTROINTESTINAL BLEEDINGExercise-Induced Gastrointestinal SymptomsSports AnemiaGastrointestinal Disorders in the AthleteChanges in the Gastrointestinal Mucosa after Long-Distance RunningGastrointestinal symptoms during endurance runningEffect of moderate exercise on bowel habit.Subtotal Colectomy following Marathon Running in a Female PatientEtiology of gastrointestinal disturbances during endurance eventsSport et carence en ferMarathon runners: The intestinal handicapEndoscopy To Evaluate Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Marathon RunnersAndrew E. Schwartz, MD, Arvydas Vanagunas, MD, Perry L. Kamel, MDCimetidine reduces running-associated gastrointestinal bleedingOccult Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Endurance CyclistsGastrointestinal bleeding during an ultramarathonIntravascular Hemolysis in Aerobic Dancing: The Role of Floor Surface and Type of RoutineGastrointestinal Bleeding in AthletesCarence martiale et anémie du marathonienRunning-Associated Proximal Hemorrhagic ColitisFRANK M. MOSES, M.D., THOMAS G. BREWER, M.D., DAVID A. PEURA, M.D.Iron status in Winter Olympic sportsLe sport est-il une médecine douce?Management of Exercise-Induced Gastrointestinal ProblemsGastrointestinal bleeding in an adolescent runnerFaecal blood loss in response to exercise.Acute ischaemic colitis in a female long distance runner.Erosive gastritis and gastrointestinal bleeding in a female runnerSportsmedicine forumGastrointestinal bleeding in competitive runnersGastrointestinal blood loss associated with running a marathonEndurance swimming, intravascular hemolysis, anemia, and iron depletionMarathon Running Fails to Influence RBC Survival Rates in Iron-Replete WomenSports anemia: A review of the literaturePhysiological Changes in Elite Male Distance Runners Training for Olympic CompetitionGastrointestinal Bleeding in Marathon Runners"ANAEMIA" IN ATHLETESCecal Volvulus: A Different Twist for the Serious RunnerGastrointestinal Blood Loss in RunnersFINLAY MACRAE, D. JAMES B. ST. JOHN, P. CALIGIOREAcute Upper Gastrointestinal Hemorrhage in Long-Distance RunnersD. PAPAIOANNIDES, M.D., CH. GIOTIS, M.D., N. KARAGIANNIS, M.D., C. VOUDOURIS, M.D.Gastrointestinal Bleeding in Long-Distance RunnersMAIRE T. BUCKMAN, M.D. 1 June 1984Volume 100, Issue 6Page: 846-847KeywordsAnemiaBloodComputed axial tomographyHaptoglobinsHemoglobinSerum ferritin levelsSweat Issue Published: 1 June 1984 PDF downloadLoading ...