Blood, Sweat, and Science

Cracking the Code: Blood Tests for Athletes

First up, let's talk creatine. If you're hitting the weights hard and building muscle, your creatine levels might look sky-high. But here's a pro tip: Don't panic! This is totally normal for resistance training warriors. The real magic? Ask for a cystatin C test alongside your standard blood work. This will give you a much more accurate picture of your kidney function, independent of your muscle mass.

The Perfect Blood Test: Timing is Everything

Want the most accurate blood work? Here are my top tips:

• ●Hydration is Key: Drink at least two liters of water before your test

• ●Rest Up: Avoid heavy training for 48 hours pre-test

• ●Timing Matters: Get tested between 8 AM and 11 AM

• ●Ladies' Note: Aim for mid-cycle and keep consistent on retests to have them as the same time of the month to accurately monitor changes.

• ●Gentlemen: Avoid seated activities 48 hours before to get more accurate prostate readings.

Supplement and Performance Insights

For my bodybuilding friends, here's a crucial tip: Get your blood tests done at the peak of your supplement cycle. This gives you the most accurate snapshot of how your liver is handling your performance regime. Don't wait until things have settled down – you want to know exactly what's happening in your liver when you're pushing your limits!

Surprising Blood Test Quirks

Here's a nerdy gem I picked up: Runners and martial artists, listen up! There's something called 'heel strike haemolysis' that can actually affect your iron levels. The repeated impact can shorten your red blood cell life – who knew?

Pro Tip Alert: If you have low iron, folate, or B12, check your bilirubin levels. It can reveal if your red blood cells are dying faster than they should. The knock on effect can make your HbA1c (blood sugar) reading look better than it really is. Your HbA1c is the average blood sugar level over a period of 3 months. If you red blood cells are dying early (they should live for 3 months), you HbA1c may look better than it actually is!

The bottom line? Knowledge is power, especially when it comes to your body. These little insights can help you train smarter, not just harder.

Stay curious, stay healthy, and keep pushing those boundaries!

If you need help acting on your blood results please book in call with me and we can combine them with your present symptoms, past medical history, lifestyle and nutrition to reach your goals moving forwards.

Lots of Love

Niki x