Erosive gastritis and gastrointestinal bleeding in a female runner

A 33-yr-old female runner presented with upper gastrointestinal symptoms and iron deficiency anemia. She was found to have erosive gastritis that was present when she exercised and which was associated with symptoms. Gastrointestinal blood loss during exercise periods was confirmed by measuring fecal blood loss using 51Cr-labeled red cells. Symptoms, gastritis, and Wood loss disappeared with cessation of running or with H2-receptor antagonist therapy.