Comprehensive low-threshold athletes blood test

The Comprehensive Athlete’s Blood test is a low-threshold blood test that gives athletes insight into important aspects of their health. With the test results in hand, athletes can optimize their training routine and diet, further improving their performance.

Sports Medical Research and Its Relevance to Athletic Performance

Sports medical research delves into the intricate relationship between physiological functions and athletic performance. To achieve peak performance in sports, it’s imperative that the body operates at its best. This includes efficient oxygen transportation to vital organs and tissues. A cornerstone to this is a well-balanced diet, rich in essential nutrients like iron, which underpins optimal athletic output.

However, the story doesn’t end with diet. Numerous biomarkers play a pivotal role in determining an athlete’s performance. Essentially, biomarkers are quantifiable indicators that shed light on the body’s biological status. They can also denote specific substances that are detectable within the body. A specialized sports blood test can measure a plethora of these biomarkers, offering insights into an athlete’s physiological state and hence the athletes performance.

Which blood values are important for athletes and why?

For both overall health and peak athletic performance, the optimal production of erythrocytes, or red blood cells, is crucial. At the heart of this process is hemoglobin (Hb), an essential protein found within these cells. Hemoglobin’s main function is to transport oxygen from the lungs to tissues throughout the body. A higher concentration of hemoglobin amplifies the blood’s ability to carry oxygen, directly benefiting muscle function and endurance.

Hemoglobin levels are closely tied to athletic performance. As such, comprehensive blood tests for athletes often assess iron and vitamin B12 levels. Both elements are fundamental to erythropoiesis, the process of producing red blood cells and synthesizing hemoglobin. Given the demands of intense training and competition, these factors are particularly vital for athletes.

Beyond the importance of red blood cells, iron, and vitamin B12, athletes also require well-functioning kidneys. These organs produce erythropoietin, commonly known as EPO, which stimulates red blood cell production in the bone marrow. Consequently, kidney function is a standard component of the blood work for athletes.

The thyroid also plays a pivotal role in athletic endeavors. It produces hormones that regulate energy metabolism. When these hormones are balanced, vital organs like the heart, lungs, and muscles operate at their best, efficiently using the energy available. This underscores the importance of including thyroid hormone levels in the blood test for athletes.

Lastly, cortisol, a hormone produced during stress, can influence athletic performance. Excessive cortisol production indicates a body under stress, prompting it to prioritize energy release. This often leads to muscle protein breakdown as a means of energy production. Therefore, monitoring cortisol levels is an integral part of blood tests for athletes.

Below we highlight a number of biomarkers.

Hemoglobin, Hematocrit, and Erythrocytes

These biomarkers provide information about your blood cells. As mentioned, Hemoglobin is a protein in red blood cells that transports oxygen, while hematocrit is the ratio of red blood cells to total blood volume. Erythrocytes are the red blood cells themselves. Measuring these value provides insight into your oxygen transport capacity, which is essential for endurance and performance during intensive exertion, this is why it’s included in our performance blood testing package. 

Leukocytes and Platelets

Leukocytes are white blood cells that play an important role in the immune system and fighting infections. Platelets are responsible for blood clotting. Checking these values helps monitor your immune system and identify possible infections or inflammations that may affect your sports performance.

MCV/MCH/MCHC

These abbreviations stand for Mean Corpuscular Volume, Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin, and Mean Corpuscular Hemoglobin Concentration. They provide information about the size, weight, and concentration of hemoglobin in red blood cells. Abnormalities in these values may indicate anemia or other underlying health problems that may hinder your sports performance. Fortunately, now it is possible to stay informed with Easly’s performance blood testing for athletes.

eGFR and Creatinine

eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) and creatinine are indicators that reveal the status of your kidney function. They help assess your kidneys’ filtration capacity and may indicate potential kidney problems. Good kidney function is essential for eliminating waste products and maintaining a healthy fluid balance in your body.

Iron Status, Iron, Ferritin, Transferrin, and Transferrin Saturation

These biomarkers provide information about your iron metabolism and may indicate iron deficiency or iron overload. Iron is essential for oxygen transport, energy production, and muscle recovery. Optimal iron status is crucial for athletes to prevent fatigue, reduced performance, and other health problems.

Vitamin B12 and Holotranscobalamin

Vitamin B12 plays an important role in energy production, the formation of red blood cells, and the nervous system. Measuring vitamin B12 and holotranscobalamin, the active form of vitamin B12 in blood testing for athletes screening can help identify a possible deficiency, which may affect your energy level and performance.

Thyroid Function, TSH, and fT4

The thyroid regulates metabolism and influences energy production and thus endurance. Checking thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (fT4) provides insight into thyroid function. Abnormalities may indicate an underactive or overactive thyroid, which may affect your sports performance.

Cortisol

Cortisol is a stress hormone that affects energy metabolism, the immune system, and muscle breakdown. A good balance of cortisol is important for recovery and performance. A saliva test can determine the cortisol level and thus a possible imbalance that may negatively affect your performance.

Creatine Kinase (CK)

CK (creatine kinase) is an enzyme mainly found in muscle cells and is released during muscle damage. Measuring CK levels can be useful in detecting muscle damage or overtraining.

Magnesium and Calcium

Magnesium and calcium are minerals that are important for muscle contraction, energy production, and bone health. A good balance of these minerals affects your sports performance and recovery after exertion.

Testosterone

Testosterone is a pivotal hormone instrumental in muscle development and post-exertion recovery. Discrepancies in its levels can influence muscle strength, recuperative capabilities, and holistic well-being. Should there be irregularities in testosterone readings, a deeper analysis involving sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and free testosterone becomes essential. Notably, SHBG modulates the availability of ‘active’ testosterone by binding to it, rendering it inactive