Team GB triathlon hopeful tells of ‘dangerously high’ iron levels identified in health MOT

A veteran triathlete who has competed three times for Team GB in his age group is warning others of the risks of over-supplementing.

Neil Dick is sharing his story after a recent blood test revealed concerning levels of iron that could lead to serious health complications.

The 59-year-old retired NHS technician from Whitley Bay has ditched his daily iron supplements which he was taking to improve his health based on a blood test over a decade ago – which he wrongly assumed was still accurate.

Neil’s recent health MOT with UK-leading blood test company Medichecks confirmed that the iron tablets were not improving his health, with ferritin readings in the red and more than 260% higher than the healthy range.

This means that, if ignored, Neil could have been dealing with health troubles like organ damage, risk of cancer of gastrointestinal problems.

The self-professed sports scientist, who removed meat from his diet in 2019 to try and improve his training and recovery, says it came as quite a shock.

Neil said: “As part of a GP check-up 12 years ago I had a blood test and it revealed I was very low in iron.

“While I didn’t have any symptoms, I was conscious that low iron could be problematic for my training, so I’ve been supplementing ever since.

“When I got my results from the Medichecks test, I was shocked to learn how high my iron levels were – I never even considered I could be over-supplementing.

“It just shows how important it is to track these things regularly, rather than as a one-off. Overall, the test showed that my biomarkers were in the healthy range and that I’m in decent shape to be competing, so that’s reassuring.”

Neil is part of a trio of triathletes with Dan Venner and James Anderson all collecting an impressive number of sports accolades.

Anderson, who is training for a gruelling Ironman World Championship in Hawaii also had his bloods tested through the Medichecks system.

James said: “My blood test revealed that I have decreased ferritin levels and I am deficient in iron – both red flags that could impact my performance, but things I can rectify through diet and supplements.

“Having a blood test, like this, is really important for anyone training for big events. Although on the surface people may appear ‘fit’, inside they might not be the healthiest, so checking biomarkers and getting them to a healthy range will massively help fitness and could improve event performance.”