Athlete Blood Test Panel (Iron, Ferritin, Testosterone, Cortisol, Vitamin D, hs-CRP, CBC & CMP)

A complete blood count with differential (hemoglobin, hematocrit, red cell indices, white cells, platelets); a comprehensive metabolic panel (glucose, kidney function including creatinine and eGFR, electrolytes, calcium, protein, albumin and liver enzymes); ferritin; serum iron, total iron binding capacity and transferrin saturation; free and total testosterone (LC/MS/MS with equilibrium dialysis); total cortisol; 25-hydroxy vitamin D; and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein.

Adults who train regularly, such as runners, cyclists, triathletes, team-sport players and people who lift, and who want a baseline or are dealing with unexplained fatigue, frequent illness or slow recovery; female and endurance athletes, who are at higher risk of iron deficiency; vegetarian or vegan athletes; athletes who train mostly indoors or live in low-sunlight areas; and anyone whose coach or clinician has suggested checking iron, vitamin D or hormones.

Further reading: Should You Exercise Before a Blood Draw? What to Know; Creatine Raises Creatinine Kidney Test: False Alarm.

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At the start of a season or training block to set a baseline, when fatigue or declining training tolerance has no obvious explanation, or a few months after starting iron or vitamin D to see whether levels have changed (ask your clinician about timing). Test on a rest day or after an easy day, and book a morning appointment between 7 and 10 a.m. after a 12-hour fast.

Low ferritin, with or without low iron, saturation or hemoglobin, points to depleted iron stores or iron deficiency anemia; a clinician will look for the reason (diet, menstrual losses or other bleeding) before recommending treatment. A ferritin that looks normal can still hide low iron if inflammation is present, which is why hs-CRP and the iron panel help with interpretation. Low vitamin D is common and correctable. Testosterone and cortisol results are read against age- and sex-specific ranges and the time of your draw; an unusually low or high value is usually repeated before any conclusion, and abnormal cortisol often needs further testing to find the cause. A raised hs-CRP can reflect a recent infection or injury and is typically rechecked when you are well. CMP results outside the reference range are reviewed in context and often repeated. JustLabs results are informational: review them with a clinician before starting supplements, especially iron, since too much can be harmful.