Sports and Fitness Blood Test

The most common type of fat in the body, stored for energy. Elevated triglycerides — often from excess sugar, alcohol, or calories — increase cardiovascular risk and can cause pancreatitis at very high levels.

Reflects your average blood sugar over the past 2–3 months by measuring the percentage of hemoglobin with attached glucose. HbA1c is the gold standard for diagnosing and monitoring diabetes, unaffected by daily fluctuations.

The primary iron storage protein. Ferritin reflects total body iron stores and is the first marker to drop in iron deficiency. However, ferritin also rises with inflammation, infection, and liver disease, which can mask true iron deficiency.

The best indicator of overall vitamin D status. Vitamin D is essential for calcium absorption, bone health, immune function, and mood regulation. Deficiency is extremely common, especially in northern latitudes, and linked to increased disease risk.

Essential for nerve function, DNA synthesis, and red blood cell formation. B12 deficiency can cause anemia, neuropathy, fatigue, and cognitive impairment. Common in vegans, vegetarians, older adults, and those taking metformin or acid-reducing medications.

An enzyme found primarily in muscle tissue (skeletal and cardiac). Elevated CK indicates muscle damage from exercise, injury, or disease. Very high levels can indicate rhabdomyolysis, a potentially dangerous breakdown of muscle tissue.

A protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation. CRP rises rapidly during infection, injury, or inflammatory conditions. It's a general marker — elevated CRP signals inflammation but doesn't pinpoint the source.

The primary stress hormone, produced by the adrenal glands. Cortisol regulates metabolism, immune response, blood pressure, and the sleep-wake cycle. Chronically elevated cortisol from stress contributes to weight gain, immune suppression, and metabolic dysfunction.

Free Testosterone Index (FTI) is a measure of the amount of testosterone available in the blood. It helps assess androgen status in both men and women.

The primary screening test for thyroid function. TSH is produced by the pituitary gland to regulate thyroid hormone production. High TSH indicates an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), while low TSH suggests an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).

Non-HDL cholesterol is the total cholesterol minus HDL cholesterol, representing all "bad" cholesterols. High levels can increase the risk of heart disease.

The combined measure of all cholesterol in your blood, including HDL, LDL, and VLDL. While useful as an overview, the breakdown between HDL and LDL is more clinically meaningful for assessing cardiovascular risk.

The primary male sex hormone, also important in women at lower levels. Testosterone regulates muscle mass, bone density, fat distribution, libido, and mood. Levels decline naturally with age in both sexes.