I am not sure if this should go in Ask the Doc or Runners forum or where is best! 
... life is so wonderfully holistic!
I have had some blood work done (April 10) for my regular check ups (unrelated to sports, running) and all my levels were fine, except for my total bilirubin which was a 4.44 (while training, but a couple months after doing 3 marathons in 3 consecutive weekends in January).
I had my bilirubin tested a month later (May 10) & it had dropped to a 3 (and about 2 weeks before my last marathon this weekend). I did a marathon on Sunday (May 22) & had my total bilirubin checked again today (May 24) and it went up to 3.9. I will plan to test it in a couple weeks. I have no fatigue, signs of jaundice, etc. ... classic symptoms of high bilirubin or liver not working well. I did have some blood in my stool a couple times in Feb or March, but not sure if it is related at all to this subject.
I have read repeatedly that long-distance running causes increases in the total bilirubin numbers which can be accounted for by hemolysis and hepatic disturbances, etc. ... the impact of running playing with red blood cells.
I train barefoot & in 4mm sandals (Luna Venado) … and do most of my marathons in these sandals. Do you think barefoot/sandal runners are more or less susceptible to higher total bilirubin counts with “mechanical trauma” when running many miles?
I wish I had done blood tests when I was running in shoes!, but I know that there are too many variables & factors to really determine anything from one person’s own experience.
... life is so wonderfully holistic!I have had some blood work done (April 10) for my regular check ups (unrelated to sports, running) and all my levels were fine, except for my total bilirubin which was a 4.44 (while training, but a couple months after doing 3 marathons in 3 consecutive weekends in January).
I had my bilirubin tested a month later (May 10) & it had dropped to a 3 (and about 2 weeks before my last marathon this weekend). I did a marathon on Sunday (May 22) & had my total bilirubin checked again today (May 24) and it went up to 3.9. I will plan to test it in a couple weeks. I have no fatigue, signs of jaundice, etc. ... classic symptoms of high bilirubin or liver not working well. I did have some blood in my stool a couple times in Feb or March, but not sure if it is related at all to this subject.
I have read repeatedly that long-distance running causes increases in the total bilirubin numbers which can be accounted for by hemolysis and hepatic disturbances, etc. ... the impact of running playing with red blood cells.
I train barefoot & in 4mm sandals (Luna Venado) … and do most of my marathons in these sandals. Do you think barefoot/sandal runners are more or less susceptible to higher total bilirubin counts with “mechanical trauma” when running many miles?
I wish I had done blood tests when I was running in shoes!, but I know that there are too many variables & factors to really determine anything from one person’s own experience.
