I have iron deficiency anemia! strangely enough, I'm happy about this because this explains my fatigue over the past few months and it has not been due to poor athletic ability or mental burnout.
I have been REALLY tired the past 2 months. So much that I haven't been able to wake up to go swim in the mornings. Also, feeling pooped out during some of the longer rides and runs. Also, I have been freezing in my office - July in Texas and I'm using a space heater. this may explain some of my irritability/moodiness as well.
The biggest clue for me, which led me to get tested for this, was that I developed pica. I've had it before and it usually does indicate iron or some other mineral deficiency. Basically pica is craving and eating non-edible items; for me, it is dirt; yes, really. Specifically, I crave the dirt on the skin of unwashed potatoes. But pica can also involve craving sand, chalk, ice. Yummy.
My only concern now is I'm going to try to do an Ironman while anemic. I have 2 1/2 weeks, which is some time to get it up, but iron stores really don't replenish for about 6 weeks.
Anyone up for some steaks?
Good that you found out. I would have never known there was such a thing! but I guess I will know now if I start to crave dirt or glue, etc..
Oh and Re: your comment on my blog, I am only commenting here because my dad reads my blogs occasionally, but YES my parents are the exact same. My mom in phone conversations will ask me if I've lost weight or brag if she loses a pound or too..AND at times at home both my mom and dad got on the scale to see how much they weighed and wanted me to get on it as well. There was a big tadoo about it because I refused to get on the scale. It is as if they applaud or praise me if I'm skinner, like my weight calculates my "worth". Maybe Asian parents are just "superficial" like that (i.e. they used to comment if I dated guys that were "too short")and I know they don't mean harm by it, but I would say that is the #1 reason why I still have residual body image issues. I know all people do to some extent, but these things don't just pop out from nowhere!
Posted by: Yvonne | July 21, 2010 at 12:06 PM
Christmas is probably the most special day of the year for children. One thing that makes it special is the popular tradition of Santa Claus.
Posted by: supra foot | October 22, 2011 at 08:07 PM