Blood work provides invaluable insights into your fitness levels, signs of overtraining, and any underlying inflammation. Training, proper nutrition, understanding the effectiveness of what you and your trainers devise can be done with specialized blood tests. For advanced evaluation we recommend baseline tests. Retest every 3-6 months as a general rule.
Mean Platelet Volume (MPV) on Complete Blood Count (CBC)
MPV measures the size of platelets, the cells involved in blood clotting. Elevated MPV levels indicates inflammation or a higher turnover of platelets, which can be associated with both fitness adaptations and overtraining. Normal range (Quest Labs): 7.5-11.5 femtoliters (fL). High MPV may be an indicator of systemic inflammation or stress, while low MPV might suggest a lack of sufficient platelet production or the impact of overtraining on recovery.
Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)
LDH is an enzyme involved in energy production, found in various tissues. High LDH levels can indicate muscle damage or overtraining, as well as tissue injury. Normal range (Quest Labs): 122-222 units per liter (U/L). Elevated LDH levels may signal tissue damage, which could occur due to intense workouts or overtraining. Monitoring LDH can help in assessing recovery needs or the impact of training intensity.
Anti-Cardiolipin Antibodies
Anti-cardiolipin antibodies are part of autoimmune testing and may signal inflammation or autoimmune activity, though typically measured to rule out clotting disorders. Normal range (Quest Labs): less than 20 IgG and IgM phospholipid units (PL units). Elevated anti-cardiolipin levels can be associated with inflammation and may indicate an excessive inflammatory response, which might be exacerbated by overtraining.
Cortisol
Cortisol is a hormone released in response to stress, including physical training. It plays a role in energy regulation, inflammation, and recovery. Normal range (Quest Labs): 6-23 micrograms per deciliter (mcg/dL) in the morning; values vary throughout the day. Elevated cortisol levels may indicate high stress or overtraining, and chronically high cortisol can lead to muscle breakdown and hinder recovery. Low cortisol may suggest adrenal fatigue due to excessive stress.
Antinuclear Antibody (ANA)
ANA tests detect autoantibodies that may suggest an autoimmune condition or chronic inflammation. Normal range: ANA levels are typically reported as positive or negative, with titers used for further classification. While not directly related to fitness, a positive ANA may indicate an underlying autoimmune or inflammatory response that could affect training and recovery.
Galectin-3
Galectin-3 is a biomarker associated with inflammation, fibrosis, and tissue repair. It’s used primarily in assessing cardiovascular health. Normal range (Quest Labs): 3.3-15.8 nanograms per milliliter (ng/mL). Elevated galectin-3 levels can indicate chronic inflammation or fibrotic tissue changes, potentially highlighting overtraining or injury risks, especially in endurance athletes.
Creatine Kinase (CK)
CK is an enzyme released from muscles during breakdown. High levels can indicate muscle damage from intense training or injury. Normal range (Quest Labs): 30-223 units per liter (U/L) for males; 20-180 U/L for females. Elevated CK levels are common after heavy exercise, but persistently high levels can indicate overtraining or insufficient recovery.
High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP)
hs-CRP is a marker of inflammation. It’s commonly used to assess cardiovascular risk but can also indicate systemic inflammation. Normal range (Quest Labs): less than 3 milligrams per liter (mg/L) – ideally less than 1 mg/L for low cardiovascular risk. Elevated hs-CRP levels suggest inflammation, which may be due to overtraining, poor recovery, or chronic stress.
Summary of Blood Markers and Training Implications
Monitoring these markers can provide insights into how well your body is handling training and recovery. Elevated levels in markers such as LDH, CK, and hs-CRP can signal that your body needs more time to recover. Elevated cortisol, anti-cardiolipin, or galectin-3 might point to chronic stress or inflammation. For athletes, bodybuilders, and those in intense training, regular testing can help in adjusting training load and recovery periods.
Always discuss your blood work results with a healthcare provider to interpret them in the context of your health history, fitness goals, and training regimen. Hormone levels may also fluctuate with training levels.
