The Need to Screen for Anemia in Exercising Women

The study conducted on 300 women at a UK fitness show emphasized the importance of screening for anemia in exercising women, particularly due to the high prevalence of heavy menstrual bleeding (HMB) and its impact on iron deficiency. It found that 12.3% of participants were anemic, with 43.5% reporting HMB, which was a significant predictor of anemia. Common symptoms included brain fog and hair loss, affecting work productivity, with 80 women taking time off due to symptoms. Despite these symptoms, there was little correlation with hemoglobin levels, indicating a need for more specific screening tools. The study highlighted the poor awareness of anemia and HMB among fit individuals and suggested fingerprick hemoglobin testing as a potential screening method, though it was limited by the lack of serum ferritin measurements and data collection at a single time point.