Endurance and Strength Training
When optimizing fitness endurance and strength, healthy iron levels can make a significant impact - and are often overlooked. Healthy iron levels help combat the common physical symptoms of iron deficiency anemia that can impact performance. These include:
No Energy
Shortness of Breath
Fatigue
Muscle Weakness
Joint Pain
Dr. Karine Badra, an Emergency Room Physician and accomplished athlete, was amazed to see the immediate impact iron infusions made to her performance. Recently diagnosed with anemia, Karine addressed her iron deficiency with multiple iron infusions at Mainline Wellness.
The Result
Karine was able to optimize her endurance, going from a 60-minute Grouse Grind to just over 41 minutes, shaving nearly 20 minutes off her time. Week to week showed noticeable progress, with marked improvement at one-month post infusion.
Based on the beneficial outcome of iron infusion to her fitness regime, we asked Karine a few questions about her experience.
Why did you choose Mainline Wellness for your IV Iron Infusion?
Mainline offers an iron formulation which has restrictions if ordered in the hospital setting. A full dose can be administered in approximately one hour – fast and convenient for those on the go!
Did you feel comfortable during the infusion?
Mainline has chairs in which one can recline comfortably or sit upright and do some work!
Why is fitness important to you?
Physical activity feeds my drive. There is much self-actualization in learning a new technique – from butterfly pullups to chasing a Personal Best (PB) on the Grouse Grind or a snatch PB! Staying physically active is also a way to offset the gravitas of emergency department work. It's an excellent method to channel some of the stressors of work and life.
Lastly, it's expanded my social circle – I have a great community at my CrossFit gym and have met some fascinating characters on Grouse Mountain!
How did it feel physically different doing the Grouse Grind with anemia and then post infusion?
Getting topped up on iron was fascinating. It was satisfying to see weekly Grind time improvements. From 60 minutes at a hemoglobin level of 84 g/L, down to 45 minutes within 1 month (and a normalized hemoglobin). There was something thrilling about being able to fly up the hill and feel "normal" again.
Hitting a 41 minute, 13 second PB required firing on all cylinders and that could not have been achieved without an iron transfusion!
Do you have any competitions coming up?
My gym, Crossfit 604, organizes great throwdowns and there just so happens to be one on May 27th!
Thanks, Karine, for sharing your fitness success story!
If you are inspired by Karine’s story and feel you may be experiencing symptoms of iron deficiency anemia, speak to your healthcare provider to see if iron infusions may be helpful for you.
If you think you may be a candidate for IV iron but don't have a GP or your care provider is not comfortable referring for IV iron, request a consult with an independent specialist from Well Health. Our new referral system will help you with the access you need.
How Does Mainline Wellness Fit In?
At Mainline Wellness, we are focused on improving the awareness and understanding of iron deficiency and iron deficiency anemia in Canada to help more patients get the help they need – preoperative or otherwise.
We are committed to offering safe, timely, and accessible ER physician and nurse supervised iron infusions. Speak to your healthcare provider to see if iron infusions may be helpful for you. Treatment can begin within one week.
Dr. Adam Davidson, MD, CCFP-EM
OWNER / DIRECTOR
Dr. Adam Davidson is an Emergency Physician at Lions Gate Hospital and a Clinical Assistant Professor in the University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine. While continuing to work in the ER, Dr. Davidson has taken his years of clinical experience and developed an outpatient IV therapy clinic with a particular focus on intravenous iron treatment.
His clinic, Mainline Wellness, now offers health care practitioners safe, comfortable, convenient and rapid access to specialized outpatient services with the knowledge that their patients are receiving expert supervision and high-quality customer care.
Dr. James Kung, MD, FRCPC
OWNER
Dr. James Kung is an Emergency Physician at Lions Gate Hospital and a Clinical Assistant Professor in the University of British Columbia Faculty of Medicine. Dr. Kung was motivated to become a Partner at Mainline Wellness to improve patient access to preventative care.
Together, Dr. Kung and Dr. Davidson share a vision of Mainline being a place where people can access high-quality healthcare services in a safe, comfortable and welcoming environment
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