Myoglobin in Athletes: Oxygen Storage, Muscle Damage Marker, and Clinical Interpretation
Introduction Elevated myoglobin is often one of the first findings that raises concern for clinicians. In the context of myoglobin…
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Potassium in Athletes: Interpreting Serum Potassium Across the Exercise Cycle
Why Potassium in Athletes Requires a Different Interpretive Framework Potassium is the body’s principal intracellular cation, with roughly 98% of…
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Sodium in Athletes: What Your Blood Work and Sweat Really Tell You
Introduction In the general population, sodium intake is often higher than necessary, and reducing excess salt is commonly recommended due…
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Vitamins for Athletes: What Actually Matters, What You’re Wasting Money On, and What Can Hurt You
Introduction It is entirely natural for athletes — and patients more broadly — to want to maximise their performance. They…
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Cortisol in Athletes: What Your Blood Test Is Actually Telling You
Introduction: Why Cortisol in Athletes Has a Reputation Problem Cortisol is one of the most frequently blamed hormones in health…
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Testosterone in Athletes: What Your Blood Work Is Actually Telling You
Introduction When I work with athletes or review their blood work, I find that the conversation around hormones almost always…
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Creatinine in Athletes: When Kidney Function Tests Mislead
Introduction Athletes represent a distinct population in whom creatinine measurements are frequently influenced by factors such as greater muscle mass,…
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Electrolytes in Athletes: What Your Blood Work Is Actually Telling You
Introduction Electrolytes in athletes play a central role in athletic physiology, and exercise does affect the body’s electrolyte balance. At…
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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…
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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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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…
