EPO in Athletes: Erythropoietin Levels, Clinical Interpretation, and the Doping Divide
Introduction EPO in athletes sits at a contested intersection of sports medicine, clinical diagnosis, and anti-doping science. Endurance athletes speak…
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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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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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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…
