NT-proBNP in Athletes: Heart Failure Marker or Training Adaptation?
Introduction In clinical practice, NT-proBNP is often included in the evaluation of patients presenting with exertional breathlessness, including athletic individuals….
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RDW in Athletes: Red Cell Distribution Width As An Early Indicator of Iron Deficiency
Introduction: Why RDW in Athletes Is Often Overlooked In my clinical practice, the evaluation of anemia often focuses primarily on…
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Troponin After Marathon and Endurance Events: When to Worry
Introduction In clinical practice, endurance events such as marathons and ultramarathons represent a level of physical stress that can produce…
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Bilirubin in Athletes: Causes, Gilbert’s Syndrome, and Exercise-Induced Hemolysis
Introduction Bilirubin in athletes is observed more frequently than in the general population. In my clinical practice, isolated mild elevations…
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Haptoglobin in Athletes: The Hemolysis Detection Marker
Introduction Some of my patients may have heard of the protein haptoglobin, but it remains relatively unfamiliar—and even when recognized,…
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Vitamin B12 and Folate in Athletes: Beyond Anemia Prevention
Introduction In my experience, athletic patients are often well-informed about nutrition and vitamins. They are typically interested in tracking their…
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Preparing for Blood Test Athletes: Fasting, Timing, and Training Considerations
Introduction Many of my athletic patients follow highly structured training programs. Their routines often include near-daily workouts, carefully planned nutrition,…
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Reticulocyte Count in Athletes: Understanding Your Bone Marrow Response
Introduction In my practice, most athletes focus on hemoglobin and ferritin, with fewer paying attention to hematocrit. These markers are…
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Hepcidin and Iron Absorption in Athletes: Why Timing Your Iron Supplement Matters
Introduction Iron deficiency is one of the most prevalent nutritional problems in sport — yet many of my patients who…
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Blood Volume Expansion in Athletes: Dilutional Pseudoanemia (Sports Anemia) Explained
Introduction When I see athletic patients, they are often highly aware of anemia and iron deficiency, and may become concerned…
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IV Iron for Athletes: When Infusion Makes Sense
Introduction Iron deficiency is common in athletic populations, with higher rates observed in female athletes and endurance disciplines. It can…
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Lactate Testing for Athletes: Beyond Blood Lactate Threshold
Introduction A sensation familiar to almost everyone is the buildup of “lactic acid” in the muscles. In reality, lactate is…
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RED-S Blood Work and The Female Athlete Triad: A Screening Guide for Coaches and Clinicians
Introduction Some of my patients are female athletes who naturally train at a high level. In many sports, there are…
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Thyroid Function in Athletes: Why TSH Alone Isn’t Enough
Introduction Athletes often come to my clinic due to slowed or stalled progress, fatigue, and lack of motivation. Laboratory testing…
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Post-Marathon Blood Work: Understanding Your Blood Test After a Marathon and When Results Return to Normal
Introduction: Why Post-Marathon Blood Work Can Be Misleading Many of my athletic patients are interested in blood tests. They tend…
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Serum Iron vs Ferritin: Which Test Actually Matters for Athletes?
Introduction Patients often ask me about their iron levels. Most are familiar with ferritin, as it has become something of…
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Which Blood Tests Do Athletes Actually Need? A Doctor’s Evidence-Based Guide
Introduction It’s completely understandable that athletes want to maximize their performance. That’s only natural. They already invest significant time and…
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Resting Heart Rate Changes in Overtrained Athletes: What Your Morning Pulse Is (and Isn’t) Telling You
Introduction In clinical practice, I often see disruptions in heart rate regulation in overtrained patients. Many describe a noticeable increase…
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Soluble Transferrin Receptor in Athletes: sTfR as The Advanced Iron Marker
Introduction: When Your Iron Test Doesn’t Tell the Whole Story Interpreting iron status in athletic patients is often more complex…
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HRV and Blood Work: Connecting the Dots
Introduction Most athletes monitoring their health are doing it in silos. They review a blood panel once or twice a…
