Safe screening guide
Iron Check
Quick Screen
Iron problems hide inside 'just tired' athletes until somebody asks for the right labs.
Who to checkWhat to ask forFood-first supportCoach refers
Use this iron rule
Notice the pattern, ask for the right labs, and keep the coach role on screening and referral instead of diagnosis or supplement freelancing.
Iron reminders
Notice the pattern, not just one bad workout.
Ferritin and CBC are the usual first ask.
Coaches screen and refer. Clinicians diagnose.
Next action
Name the athlete whose fatigue pattern has lasted long enough to matter.
Write down the risk factors that make the iron question more reasonable.
Prepare the referral ask using ferritin and CBC language instead of guesswork.
What not to do
Do not hand out iron supplements like candy.Do not let a long fatigue pattern stay stuck at 'just push through it.'Do not forget that food-first support still matters while labs are pending.
Iron screening works best when the coach notices the pattern early and refers cleanly instead of trying to solve it alone.