Zinc deficiency associated with iron deficiency anemia was first recorded by Prasad in 1961. The precise role of zinc in the hematological abnormalities in man is not certain. Endurance runner have been known to suffered from anemia that simulated iron deficiency anemia. We conducted zinc kinetic study using total body zinc clearance in 21 female endurance runner, and studied relationship between zinc status and anemia. Seven athletes showed severe zinc deficiency (Zinc clearances were more than 25ml/kg/hour) . and fourteen athletes were normal zinc status. Hemoglobin, serum total protein and Fe were significantly lower in zinc deficiency group than in normal group. Zinc status might partly accounted for hematological abnormality in female endurance runner.
