Perform Ep 9: 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.

Articles

• Prevalence of elevated hemoglobin and hematocrit levels in patients with obstructive sleep apnea and the impact of treatment with continuous positive airway pressure: a meta-analysis (Hematology)
• Exertional Rhabdomyolysis: A Case of Markedly Elevated Creatine Kinase Without Acute Kidney Injury (Journal of Medical Cases)

Other Resources

• Complete Blood Count (CBC)
• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
• Magnesium Status Questionnaire
• 3 Steps to Optimizing Hydration (25 Min Phys with Andy Galpin)
• Your results may vary: the imprecision of medical measurements

Perform Episodes Mentioned

• How to Improve Your VO2 Max & Build Endurance
• How & Why to Strengthen Your Heart & Cardiovascular Fitness
• How to Enhance Performance With Better Sleep
• Avoid Fitness Plateaus, Overtraining & Mis-Timed Performance Peaks

People Mentioned

• Peter Attia: Physician, Focused on Longevity Science
• Gabrielle Lyon: Physician, Trained in Geriatrics & Nutrition
• Tommy Wood: Professor of Neuroscience, University of Washington