My Dr told me my iron level doesn't matter; confused

It kinda doesn't matter.

Several studies of elite runners have shown no correlation between "anemia" symptoms and normal levels of ferritin. Elite runners routinely have no symptoms, but have far lower levels of ferritin than "normal"

If you feel normal, don't sweat the actual number.

confuzzed wrote:

My hemoglobin was 129 and she said that was totally fine.

Totally fine for what? Certainly not for running your best.

I should have mentioned I'm female, which makes it a higher level.

But yeah, still confused.

I assumed you where Female, but that's still not an "optimum" level.

Trust your Doc.

I guess I don't fully trust what she's saying, J.O. Why do you think I should?

In a way your doctor is correct. There is a range at which iron level is relative. If it gets real low for your norms, then it can be attributed to a poor performance. That said, a crazy high iron level does not necessarily correlate to a great performance. There is a "top-off" level at which point no additional gains can be made to performance in terms of O2 delivery regardless of how high the iron levels go.

That makes sense, Dogman. I do feel a lot safer at 50 than 30 though, even if most of the difference were just about it being a buffer against dropping into a bad place again.

confuzzed wrote:

That makes sense, Dogman. I do feel a lot safer at 50 than 30 though, even if most of the difference were just about it being a buffer against dropping into a bad place again.

It is always good to monitor your levels. I test my athletes each month.

Your doctor can burn in hell.

confuzzed wrote:

I left confused, and a bit defensive that she dismissed my concerns.

I'll never understand it, but doctors really don't think iron is important for running. Clearly they don't know much about running. Iron is very important. Get your ferritin above 100.