Is a decrease of 1.5 substancial for hemoglobin? mine is now 13.5 female (12-16 is range) but is that low for a distance runner? symptoms of shortness of breathe while running and higher hr. heart looks good and iron and other lab work good?

The trauma of vigorous exercise can result in lysis of red cells and may contribute to lower hemoglobin. Women often have iron deficiency due to menstrual blood loss. Taking oral iron and multivitamin supplements will not do any harm may be helpful if you have iron deficiency. You may wish to retest in 3-6 months after you start taking iron supplements. Wish you good health!

Was testing done by finger stick one time and blood draw another? Was you state of hydration the same each time, better hydration lower Hb. Same time of day and same time out of bed. Time between testng? Both done is same lah. They will differ across labs a bit. I consider 10% within lab error so 15-1.5 =13.5 within 10%. Plot over time if possible thru your MYCHART.