How to Use & Interpret Blood Tests for High Performance

In this episode, I discuss blood testing for athletic performance. I explain how performance-based blood testing differs from medical or disease-based blood panels and the pros and cons of blood testing for performance.  

I explain how to choose specific blood markers based on your performance goals, scenario, and situation. I also discuss the timing, frequency, and preparation for blood tests to increase the accuracy and validity of results. I explain how to contextualize blood test results, interpret reference ranges, and account for the natural variability of blood markers. I also discuss how to improve blood test results through nutrition, behaviors, training, or supplementation.

Listeners of this episode will understand how to determine appropriate blood markers for yourself or your client based on specific training goals and how to interpret blood results so you can look, feel, and perform at your best.

Access the full show notes for this episode at performpodcast.com.

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Timestamps

00:00:00 Blood Testing, Albumin, MCV

00:03:05 Sponsors: Eight Sleep & Vitality Blueprint

00:05:55 Blood Testing for Performance

00:09:24 Cons of Blood Work

00:13:39 Pros of Blood Work

00:19:30 Investigate: Blood Panels for General Health, CBC, CMP

00:25:14 Blood Panels for Performance; Bodybuilding, Protein Turnover

00:32:08 Sponsors: Momentous & LMNT

00:35:21 Albumin, Hydration, Inflammation

00:38:50 Endurance Training, Iron

00:46:33 Essential Vitamins & Minerals: Zinc, Chromium, Magnesium, B12

00:50:52 Sodium, Potassium

00:56:48 Energy & Fatigue, Blood Glucose

01:02:39 Sponsors: AG1 & Renaissance Periodization

01:05:18 Tool: Getting Good Blood Data, 48-Hour Rule, Timing, Hydration

01:12:55 Sensitive vs. Resilient Markers; Blood Test Consistency, Testosterone

01:19:41 Interpret: References Ranges, Blood Glucose, Homocysteine

01:28:44 Context & Interpretation, Strength vs. Endurance

01:34:13 Sleep Apnea, Hemoglobin, Endurance Training

01:37:33 Medical vs. Performance Blood Markers, Blood Volume, Creatinine

01:46:18 ALT, AST, Athlete’s Paradox

01:49:05 Optimal for What?, Context & Blood Markers

01:56:35 Tool: Analytical, Diurnal & Biological Variability

02:01:39 Patterns & Categories: Hydration, Inflammation

02:09:01 Intervene: Big Solutions, Direct Markers vs. Systemic Solutions

02:20:57 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Subscribe & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Perform Newsletter, Social Media

Disclaimer & Disclosures