Hematological and iron status in female elite athlete players in Albania

Background: Iron and hematological condition are important markers of general health and athletic performance. Limited data on iron and hematological status in Albanian female athletes underscores the need for localized research for health monitoring and intervention strategies. Aim of the Study: The study evaluates the hematological and iron status of female elite athlete players in Albania, identifying deficiencies and underlying causes like inflammation and nutritional factors. Methodology: A study involving 33 female elite athletes in Albania collected blood samples for a cross-sectional descriptive study, including the summarized data, and independent t-tests compared the mean values to established normal reference ranges. Statistical significance was set at p<0.05. Data analysis included hemoglobin, serum iron, erythrocyte count, and hematocrit. Results: The analysis revealed that Athletes often have hemoglobin and serum iron levels below normal, indicating anemia risk. Iron deficiency may be due to inadequate dietary intake, increased iron loss through menstruation, and training-induced demands. Elevated levels may reflect inflammation or hemoconcentration due to dehydration or intense physical exertion. Discussion: Iron deficiency in female athletes is linked to nutritional deficiencies, menstrual blood loss, and elite training demands, necessitating targeted interventions to prevent health complications. Conclusion: The study highlights hematological and iron status abnormalities in Albanian female elite athletes, emphasizing routine screening, personalized nutritional strategies, and further research for effective interventions and integrating hematological monitoring into athlete health management and supporting future longitudinal studies to assess intervention outcomes and health trends among female athletes.