Mysterious Bruises

EHisCDN

Hi everyone!

I'm just wondering if anyone else has begun getting mysterious bruises since they've started exercising. I've always bruised like a peach but ever since I started working out regularly I seem to have more bruises (mostly on my legs). I don't really mind but I was wondering if anyone else had experienced this.

littleburgy

Yes. I had the same problem. I have a history of anemia and iron deficiency problems, I take multivitamins and am feeling better. I can't say the same is for everyone else but it's worth finding out if you have any deficiencies.

EHisCDN

Thanks for your input. At my next physical I'll be sure to ask my doctor about them and have him look for any deficiencies when he checks my blood.

Danni3ll3

Are you taking Omega 3 in fish oil form? I take between 800 and 1000 EPA in fish oils and I noticed that I bruise like crazy. My naturopath told me to increase my vitamin C to counter act that. As soon as I let up on the Vitamin C, the bruising is unreal. Just something to think about.

servilia

Some foods and supplements (and deficiencies) can increase bruising. Look up blood thinning foods and see if you've increased any lately. Like someone mentioned certain fish oils are like that. Alcohol as well.

nutmegoreo

Some foods and supplements (and deficiencies) can increase bruising. Look up blood thinning foods and see if you've increased any lately. Like someone mentioned certain fish oils are like that. Alcohol as well.

Also garlic.

SLLRunner

Hi everyone!

I'm just wondering if anyone else has begun getting mysterious bruises since they've started exercising. I've always bruised like a peach but ever since I started working out regularly I seem to have more bruises (mostly on my legs). I don't really mind but I was wondering if anyone else had experienced this.

No, I haven't.

Have you spoken to your doctor? If not, I recommend that you do, and before your next physical.

sami_83

I get bruises on my hands because I crack them on the handles of my treadmill when I run sometimes (I'm a bit unco). Took me a while to figure those ones out because by the time I finish running/recovering I've forgotten I even smacked my hands and the bruises generally appear the next day. But I have a terrible memory so I always presume unexplained bruises are normal (for me).

SoLongAndThanksForAllTheFish

Definitely go to your doctor to get checked out, but if he can't find a problem, it isnt exactly a mystery or unusual to get some bruises starting out lifting weights, or even lifting weights regularly. Squats will 100% bruise the #$@! out of my shoulders every time, deadlifts can bruise your legs regularly, shrugs can too if you are using a lot of weight on a bar or come down quickly, any time you hold a heavy weight on your legs doing dumbells on a bench while you move position or coming down too quickly from a rep could possibly bruise you, even standing padded shoulder supports for leg/calf exercises can bruise you (me every time again) if you do enough weight on it...that's off the top of my head, I'm sure I missed some obvious ones, especially if you are a girl that can bruise relatively easy.

jensiegel39

I noticed this thread because this happened to me. A long time ago, at camp when I was in the 7th grade, I had bruising everywhere. And I mean in weird places you wouldn't normally bruise, like inside my arms and thighs. It seriously looked like someone beat me up. And the bruises all had red dots on them. Well, I was hospitalized because it turned out I had a condition called ITP (ideopathic thrombositic penea), which is quite common I've learned. This means my body was killing my platelets. It's sort of like hemophilia, but you aren't born with it. The ideopathic part means that the cause is unknown. It could have been from a virus. I haven't had a repeat of it since, but it's considered chronic, so they have to always check my platelet count when they take blood. I was hospitalized for a week or so and I was bleeding internally. You're supposed to have 250K - 400K platelets in your body at a time and I had 6k! So, they gave me massive doses of Prednisone (which was terrible - made me cry all the time and gain weight) and I had to have my blood checked every week for a year. It didn't hurt at all and the only symptoms were the bruising with the petechea (platelets) on them (the red dots). And my spelling is atrocious, so please excuse.

You may have this, or something else. Or perhaps you're hitting yourself with the weights and not realizing it. I'm not sure, but I'd definitely get to a doctor ASAP. You may also need a spinal done to determine if there's anything else wrong. Nothing to be afraid of, and I hope I haven't scared you with my story. I found out this condition is quite common, but a lot of people don't know about it. It's easily curable and if it is what you have, you need to find out right away so it doesn't get worse. And if it's something else, you need to know that too.

Best of luck to you! Please let us know!

Jen

EHisCDN

I had no idea it could be from so many reasons.

Although interestingly enough someone mentioned alcohol might set it off and I see more bruises after I drink (which isn't often) rather than just after working out. As well as garlic, I cook with a lot of garlic!

I definitely need to see a doctor soon just to make sure everything is alright (I had blood work run just a few months ago and it was all fine then. Maybe my doctor needs to specifically look for something?).

jensiegel39

If you had it run a few months ago, hopefully all is fine. That's interesting about the alcohol. Maybe you're clumsy when you drink?! Just ask what your platelet count is. It should be 250K - 400K. If it's low, it's treatable with meds. And like with me, the cause is unknown for this condition. Could be from a virus or something.

Good luck and keep us updated!

cassy_runs

I'm glad I came across this; I have also noticed an unusual number of bruises, particularly on my legs, since I started working out. I strength train 4 times a week and jog for about an hour 6 days a week. I also have been taking a fish oil pill each day, so knowing that may contribute to it is helpful. I'll check into upping my Vitamin C intake and see how that goes.

dogalc

There are so many causes for easy bruising. If its dot like, on your skin, its petechiae. It is due to platelet problems. If its real bruise, one of the causes is coagulation problem. Vitamin K deficiency , C deficiency etc can cause the same. Also anti platelet drugs, infections, and so many other causes. it can even be due to conditions like ITP, as already mentioned. Trauma can very well be a reason. kindly see ur doctor at the earliest to rule out any serious underlying cause. No need to be scared or anything but just make sure that ur alright.

Kaylee_F93

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/20881-rare-diseases-hemophilia-etc