Low Mood and Lethargy screening

Detailed description of each biomarker in the Low Mood and Lethargy Blood Test Active B12 What: Measures the portion of vitamin B12 that is biologically active and available to the body. Shows: More accurately detects B12 deficiency than total B12 levels, especially in older adults. Benefits: Essential for maintaining energy levels, supporting nerve function, and promoting overall health. Who: Individuals experiencing low mood and fatigue, particularly those following specific diets that may affect B12 intake. Important: B12 levels can decline with age, making it important to monitor and address any deficiencies. Albumin What: The main type of protein in the blood. Shows: Overall protein status and liver function. Benefits: Ensures adequate protein for maintaining healthy bodily functions. Who: Individuals seeking a comprehensive picture of their nutritional status and organ function, especially in relation to low mood and fatigue. Important: Albumin levels can be influenced by various factors, including hydration and inflammation. ALP What: An enzyme found in the liver, bones, and other tissues. Shows: High levels can suggest liver or bone problems. Benefits: Helps assess liver and bone health, which can be relevant for individuals experiencing low mood and fatigue. Who: Anyone looking for a comprehensive health check to identify potential underlying causes of low mood and fatigue. Important: ALP levels can vary depending on age and certain health conditions. ALT What: An enzyme primarily found in the liver. Shows: Elevated levels can indicate liver damage or inflammation. Benefits: Helps detect potential liver problems early, which can contribute to fatigue and low mood if left unaddressed. Who: Individuals interested in monitoring their liver health or those with lifestyle factors that may put them at increased risk. Important: ALT levels can be temporarily elevated due to factors like exercise or medication use. AST What: An enzyme primarily found in the liver. Shows: Elevated levels can indicate liver damage or inflammation. Benefits: Helps detect potential liver problems early, which can contribute to fatigue and low mood if left unaddressed. Who: Individuals interested in monitoring their liver health or those with lifestyle factors that may put them at increased risk. Important: AST levels can be temporarily elevated due to factors like exercise or medication use. Basophils What: A type of white blood cell involved in immune function and inflammation. Shows: Assesses overall immune system health and response. Benefits: Helps monitor for infections and inflammation, which can contribute to fatigue and low mood. Who: Anyone interested in a comprehensive evaluation of their immune health, especially in relation to low mood and fatigue. Important: Basophil levels are typically low, but elevations may indicate certain health conditions. Bilirubin What: A substance produced during the breakdown of red blood cells. Shows: Assesses liver health and function. Benefits: Detects potential liver problems, which can be a contributing factor to fatigue and low mood. Who: Anyone seeking a comprehensive health check to identify potential underlying causes of low mood and fatigue. Important: Bilirubin levels can be elevated due to various factors, including liver conditions and certain medications. Cholesterol What: A type of fat (lipid) in the blood. Shows: Assesses heart disease risk. Benefits: Monitoring cholesterol is crucial for long-term cardiovascular health, which can indirectly impact energy levels and mood. Who: Routine screening for all adults, as heart health is important for everyone. Important: Lifestyle changes (diet, exercise) are essential for cholesterol management, along with medications when needed. Cortisol What: A hormone produced by the adrenal glands, often called the "stress hormone". Shows: Levels can indicate how well your body is responding to stress. Benefits: Helps assess adrenal function and identify potential imbalances that may be contributing to fatigue and low mood. Who: Individuals experiencing symptoms of stress, fatigue, or low mood, or those concerned about their adrenal health. Important: Cortisol levels naturally fluctuate throughout the day. Creatinine What: A waste product filtered from the blood by the kidneys. Shows: Kidney function. Benefits: Early detection of kidney problems allows for interventions to preserve kidney health, which can indirectly impact energy levels and mood. Who: Important for everyone, as kidney health is crucial for overall well-being. Important: Levels can be temporarily affected by dehydration or certain medications. CRP What: A marker of inflammation in the body. Shows: Levels of inflammation, which can be associated with various health conditions and contribute to fatigue and low mood. Benefits: Helps identify potential health issues associated with inflammation. Who: Individuals experiencing fatigue and low mood, or those with suspected inflammation or chronic conditions. Important: CRP levels can be temporarily elevated due to infections or other factors. eGFR What: A calculation that provides a more precise estimate of kidney function. Shows: Overall kidney health. Benefits: A key marker for tracking kidney function over time, which is important for overall health and can indirectly affect energy levels and mood. Who: Anyone concerned about their kidney health or those with risk factors for kidney disease. Important: Provides a more accurate assessment of kidney function than creatinine alone. Eosinophils What: A type of white blood cell involved in immune function and inflammation. Shows: Assesses overall immune system health and response. Benefits: Helps monitor for infections and inflammation, which can contribute to fatigue and low mood. Who: Anyone interested in a comprehensive evaluation of their immune health, especially in relation to low mood and fatigue. Important: Eosinophil levels can be elevated in response to allergies or parasitic infections. Ferritin What: A protein that stores iron. Shows: Body's iron stores. Benefits: Helps identify iron deficiency or overload, which can significantly impact energy levels and mood. Who: Anyone interested in monitoring their iron levels, especially those with fatigue or dietary restrictions. Important: Should be interpreted alongside other iron status markers. Folate What: A B vitamin essential for cell growth and function. Shows: Detects folate deficiency. Benefits: Important for overall health and well-being, including energy levels and mood regulation. Who: Individuals experiencing low mood and fatigue, or those with specific dietary habits that may affect folate intake. Important: Folate is crucial during pregnancy, so it's important for women of childbearing age to ensure adequate levels. FT3 What: One of the active forms of thyroid hormone. Shows: Assesses overall thyroid health and identifies potential underactive or overactive states. Benefits: Ensures optimal thyroid function, crucial for energy levels, metabolism, and mood regulation. Who: Individuals experiencing fatigue, low mood, or suspected thyroid issues. Important: Some conditions can affect thyroid test results. FT4 What: One of the active forms of thyroid hormone. Shows: Assesses overall thyroid health and identifies potential underactive or overactive states. Benefits: Ensures optimal thyroid function, crucial for energy levels, metabolism, and mood regulation. Who: Individuals experiencing fatigue, low mood, or suspected thyroid issues. Important: Some conditions can affect thyroid test results. GGT What: A liver enzyme. Shows: Elevated levels often indicate liver problems. Benefits: Used to screen for liver disease and assess liver health, which can indirectly impact energy levels and mood. Who: Anyone concerned about their liver health or those with lifestyle factors that may put them at increased risk. Important: GGT levels can be elevated due to various factors, including alcohol consumption and certain medications. Globulin What: A type of protein in the blood. Shows: Overall protein status, potential liver or kidney problems, or inflammation. Benefits: Provides insights into nutritional status and helps assess various health conditions that may be contributing to fatigue and low mood. Who: Individuals seeking a comprehensive health check to identify potential underlying causes of low mood and fatigue. Important: Levels can be affected by many factors, including hydration status. HbA1c What: Measures average blood sugar levels over the past 2-3 months. Shows: Assesses diabetes risk or monitors blood sugar control in those with diabetes. Benefits: Helps identify potential blood sugar imbalances that can contribute to fatigue and low mood. Who: Individuals experiencing fatigue and low mood, or those with risk factors for diabetes. Important: A diagnosis of diabetes requires confirmation with additional tests. HDL What: A type of "good" cholesterol. Shows: Assesses heart disease risk. Benefits: Monitoring cholesterol is crucial for long-term cardiovascular health, which can indirectly impact energy levels and mood. Who: Routine screening for all adults, as heart health is important for everyone. Important: Lifestyle changes (diet, exercise) are essential for cholesterol management, along with medications when needed. Haemoglobin What: Measures red blood cell concentration. Shows: Detects anaemia (low red blood cell count) or polycythaemia (too many red blood cells). Benefits: Essential for diagnosing and classifying anaemia, which can impact energy levels and contribute to fatigue and low mood. Who: Individuals experiencing fatigue and low mood, or those with risk factors for anaemia. Important: Requires further investigation to determine the cause of anaemia. Haematocrit What: The percentage of blood volume made up of red blood cells. Shows: Provides another measure of red blood cell count, helps detect anaemia or polycythaemia. Benefits: Often used in conjunction with haemoglobin for diagnosing and classifying anaemia, which can impact energy levels and contribute to fatigue and low mood. Who: Individuals experiencing fatigue and low mood, or those with risk factors for anaemia. Important: Like haemoglobin, further investigation is needed to determine the cause of abnormal levels. Iron What: Measures iron status, crucial for oxygen transport and energy production. Shows: Assesses iron stores, distinguishes between iron deficiency anaemia and other types of anaemia, and can detect iron overload. Benefits: Iron deficiency is a common cause of fatigue. Maintaining optimal iron levels is essential for energy production and overall health. Who: Individuals experiencing low mood and fatigue, especially those with heavy menstrual bleeding or dietary restrictions. Important: Interpretation requires considering the combination of iron markers and dietary intake. LDL What: A type of "bad" cholesterol in the blood. Shows: Assesses heart disease risk. High LDL ("bad" cholesterol), low HDL ("good" cholesterol), and elevated triglycerides raise risk. Benefits: Monitoring cholesterol is crucial for long-term cardiovascular health, which can indirectly impact energy levels and mood. Who: Routine screening for all adults, as heart health is important for everyone. Important: Lifestyle changes (diet, exercise) are the cornerstone for cholesterol management, along with medications when needed. Lymphocytes What: A type of white blood cell involved in immune function and inflammation. Shows: Assess overall immune system health and response. High levels may indicate active infection, inflammation, or certain conditions. Low levels can suggest a weakened immune system. Benefits: Helps monitor for infections and inflammation, which can be contributing factors to fatigue and low mood. Who: Individuals seeking a comprehensive evaluation of their immune health, especially in relation to fatigue and low mood. Important: Specific white cell subsets provide more detailed information about the nature of infection or inflammation. MCH What: Measures the average amount of haemoglobin in each red blood cell. Shows: Helps classify anaemia, assess iron status, and may indicate certain nutritional deficiencies. Benefits: Helps distinguish between different causes of anaemia, which can impact energy levels and contribute to fatigue and low mood. Provides clues about potential nutritional deficiencies that may also be affecting energy and mood. Who: Individuals experiencing fatigue and low mood, or those with risk factors for anaemia or nutritional deficiencies. Important: Interpretation requires considering the full panel of red blood cell measurements. MCHC What: Measures the average concentration of haemoglobin in each red blood cell. Shows: Helps classify anaemia, assess iron status, and may indicate certain nutritional deficiencies. Benefits: Helps distinguish between different causes of anaemia, crucial for targeted treatment and optimising performance. Provides clues about potential nutritional deficiencies impacting blood cell production. Who: Individuals experiencing fatigue and low mood, or those with risk factors for anaemia or nutritional deficiencies. Important: Interpretation requires considering the full panel of red blood cell measurements. MCV What: Measures the average size of red blood cells. Shows: Helps classify anaemia, assess iron status, and may indicate certain nutritional deficiencies. Benefits: Helps distinguish between different causes of anaemia, crucial for targeted treatment and optimising performance. Provides clues about potential nutritional deficiencies impacting blood cell production. Who: Individuals experiencing fatigue and low mood, or those with risk factors for anaemia or nutritional deficiencies. Important: Interpretation requires considering the full panel of red blood cell measurements. Magnesium What: An essential mineral involved in hundreds of bodily processes, including energy production, muscle function, and nerve transmission. Shows: Magnesium levels in the blood, which can indicate deficiency or excess. Benefits: Helps identify magnesium deficiency, which can contribute to fatigue, muscle weakness, and even mood changes. Who: Individuals experiencing fatigue, low mood, muscle cramps, or those with dietary habits that may affect magnesium intake. Important: Magnesium levels can be affected by various factors, including diet, medication use, and certain health conditions. Neutrophils What: A type of white blood cell involved in immune function and inflammation. Shows: Assess overall immune system health and response. High levels may indicate active infection, inflammation, or certain conditions. Low levels can suggest a weakened immune system. Benefits: Helps monitor for infections and inflammation, which can be contributing factors to fatigue and low mood. Who: Individuals seeking a comprehensive evaluation of their immune health, especially in relation to fatigue and low mood. Important: Specific white cell subsets provide more detailed information about the nature of infection or inflammation. Non-HDL What: A type of cholesterol in the blood, calculated as total cholesterol minus HDL cholesterol. Shows: Assesses heart disease risk. High LDL ("bad" cholesterol), low HDL ("good" cholesterol), and elevated triglycerides raise risk. Benefits: Monitoring cholesterol is crucial for long-term cardiovascular health, which can indirectly impact energy levels and mood. Who: Routine screening for all adults, as heart health is important for everyone. Important: Lifestyle changes (diet, exercise) are the cornerstone for cholesterol management, along with medications when needed. Platelet Count What: Measures the number of platelets, which are cell fragments essential for blood clotting. Shows: How well the blood can clot. Benefits: Helps identify potential bleeding disorders or excessive clotting risks, which can indirectly affect energy levels and overall health. Who: Individuals seeking a comprehensive health check to identify potential underlying causes of low mood and fatigue. Important: Requires interpretation in the context of other blood count results, symptoms, and medications. RBC What: Measures the number of red blood cells, crucial for oxygen transport. Shows: Detects anaemia (low red blood cells) or polycythaemia (too many red blood cells). Benefits: Essential for diagnosing and classifying anaemia, which can significantly impact energy levels and contribute to fatigue and low mood. Who: Individuals experiencing fatigue and low mood, or those with risk factors for anaemia. Important: Requires further investigation to determine the cause of anaemia. RDW What: Measures the variation in size of red blood cells. Shows: Helps classify anaemia and may indicate certain nutritional deficiencies. Benefits: Provides further information about red blood cell health and potential deficiencies that may be contributing to fatigue and low mood. Who: Individuals experiencing fatigue and low mood, or those with risk factors for anaemia or nutritional deficiencies. Important: Interpretation requires considering the full panel of red blood cell measurements. Sodium What: An essential mineral involved in fluid balance, nerve function, and muscle function. Shows: Sodium levels in the blood, which can indicate imbalances or potential hydration issues. Benefits: Helps assess electrolyte balance and hydration status, which can be important for individuals experiencing fatigue and low mood. Who: Individuals concerned about their hydration or electrolyte levels, or those with certain medical conditions. Important: Sodium levels can be affected by various factors, including diet, medication use, and certain health conditions. TIBC What: Measures the total iron-binding capacity of the blood. Shows: Assesses iron stores and can detect iron deficiency or overload. Benefits: Helps in the diagnosis and management of iron deficiency or overload, which can significantly impact energy levels and mood. Who: Anyone interested in monitoring their iron levels, especially those with fatigue or dietary restrictions. Important: Interpretation requires considering the combination of iron markers and dietary intake. Total Protein What: Measures the combined amount of albumin and globulin in the blood. Shows: Overall protein status. Benefits: Provides a general picture of protein balance in the body, which is important for various functions, including energy production and immune health. Who: Individuals seeking a comprehensive picture of their nutritional status, especially in relation to low mood and fatigue. Important: Abnormal levels often require further investigation to determine the cause. Triglycerides What: A type of fat (lipid) in the blood. Shows: Assesses heart disease risk. High LDL ("bad" cholesterol), low HDL ("good" cholesterol), and elevated triglycerides raise risk. Benefits: Monitoring cholesterol is crucial for long-term cardiovascular health, which can indirectly impact energy levels and mood. Who: Routine screening for all adults, as heart health is important for everyone. Important: Lifestyle changes (diet, exercise) are the cornerstone for cholesterol management, along with medications when needed. TSH What: A hormone that stimulates the production of thyroid hormones. Shows: Assesses overall thyroid health and identifies potential underactive or overactive states. Benefits: Ensures optimal thyroid function, crucial for energy levels, metabolism, and mood regulation. Who: Individuals experiencing fatigue, low mood, or suspected thyroid issues. Important: Some conditions can affect thyroid test results. UIBC What: Measures the unsaturated iron-binding capacity of the blood. Shows: Assesses iron stores and can detect iron deficiency or overload. Benefits: Helps in the diagnosis and management of iron deficiency or overload, which can significantly impact energy levels and mood. Who: Anyone interested in monitoring their iron levels, especially those with fatigue or dietary restrictions. Important: Interpretation requires considering the combination of iron markers and dietary intake. Urea What: A waste product filtered from the blood by the kidneys. Shows: Kidney function. Benefits: Early detection of kidney problems allows for interventions to preserve kidney health, which can indirectly impact energy levels and mood. Who: Important for everyone, as kidney health is crucial for overall well-being. Important: Levels can be temporarily affected by dehydration or certain medications. Vitamin D What: A vitamin crucial for calcium absorption, bone health, and immune function. Shows: Detects vitamin D deficiency. Benefits: Supports bone health, muscle function, and overall health, including energy levels and mood regulation. Who: Individuals experiencing low mood and fatigue, or those with limited sun exposure or risk factors for deficiency. Important: Supplementation may be recommended based on levels. White Cell Count What: The total number of white blood cells in the blood. Shows: Overall immune system health. Benefits: Detects potential infections or inflammation that may be contributing to fatigue and low mood. Who: Individuals experiencing fatigue and low mood, or those with signs of infection or a weakened immune system. Important: A differential count provides more information about specific white blood cell types. ​ Albumin What: The main type of protein in the blood, crucial for various functions, including immune health and nutrient transport.   Shows: Overall protein status, potential nutritional deficiencies, liver or kidney issues.   Benefits for Athletes: Ensures adequate protein intake to support recovery and muscle growth. Helps identify potential issues affecting protein metabolism, crucial for optimal performance.   Who: Athletes with restricted diets, suspected nutritional deficiencies, or those with liver or kidney issues.   Important: Levels can be affected by many factors, including hydration status and inflammation.   ALP What: An enzyme primarily found in the liver and bone. Elevated levels can indicate liver damage, bone disease, or other health conditions.   Shows: Assesses liver health and function. The liver plays a crucial role in energy metabolism, nutrient breakdown, detoxification, and many processes relevant to athletes. ALP is also important in bone health.   Benefits for Athletes: Detects potential liver issues and allows for monitoring. Ensures proper liver function, crucial for recovery, performance, and overall health. Can also be used alongside other markers of bone health.   Who: Athletes taking supplements or medications that can affect the liver, or those with unexplained fatigue or changes in body composition.   Important: Many things can temporarily raise liver enzyme levels, including strenuous exercise and dietary factors.   ALT What: An enzyme primarily found in the liver. Elevated levels can indicate liver damage or inflammation.   Shows: Assesses liver health and function. The liver plays a crucial role in energy metabolism, nutrient breakdown, detoxification, and many processes relevant to athletes.   Benefits for Athletes: Detects potential liver issues and allows for monitoring. Ensures proper liver function, crucial for recovery, performance, and overall health.   Who: Athletes taking supplements or medications that can affect the liver, or those with unexplained fatigue or changes in body composition.   Important: Many things can temporarily raise liver enzyme levels, including strenuous exercise and dietary factors.   AST What: An enzyme primarily found in the liver and heart. Elevated levels can indicate liver damage, heart problems or inflammation.   Shows: Assesses liver health and function. The liver plays a crucial role in energy metabolism, nutrient breakdown, detoxification, and many processes relevant to athletes. AST is also important in heart health.   Benefits for Athletes: Detects potential liver issues and allows for monitoring. Ensures proper liver function, crucial for recovery, performance, and overall health. Can also be used alongside other markers of heart health.   Who: Athletes taking supplements or medications that can affect the liver, or those with unexplained fatigue or changes in body composition.   Important: Many things can temporarily raise liver enzyme levels, including strenuous exercise and dietary factors.   Basophils What: A type of white blood cell involved in immune function and inflammation.   Shows: Assess overall immune system health and response. High levels may indicate active infection, inflammation, or certain conditions. Low levels can suggest a weakened immune system.   Benefits for Athletes: Helps monitor for infections, especially in athletes with frequent illness. May reveal underlying inflammation impacting recovery.   Who: Athletes with signs of infection, frequent illness, or suspected immune system dysfunction.   Important: Specific white cell subsets provide more detailed information about the nature of infection or inflammation.   Bilirubin What: A substance produced during the breakdown of red blood cells. Elevated levels can indicate liver problems or other health conditions.   Shows: Assesses liver health and function. The liver plays a crucial role in energy metabolism, nutrient breakdown, detoxification, and many processes relevant to athletes.   Benefits for Athletes: Detects potential liver issues and allows for monitoring. Ensures proper liver function, crucial for recovery, performance, and overall health.   Who: Athletes taking supplements or medications that can affect the liver, or those with unexplained fatigue or changes in body composition.   Important: Many things can temporarily raise liver enzyme levels, including strenuous exercise and dietary factors.   Cholesterol What: A type of fat (lipid) in the blood.   Shows: Assesses heart disease risk. High LDL ("bad" cholesterol), low HDL ("good" cholesterol), and elevated triglycerides raise risk, even in fit individuals.   Benefits for Athletes: While athletes often have favourable lipid profiles, monitoring cholesterol is crucial for long-term cardiovascular health. Early detection and management help prevent heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular complications that can curtail athletic careers.   Who: Routine screening for all adults, but athletes should pay particular attention to these markers as optimal cardiovascular health is essential for performance.   Important: Lifestyle changes (diet, exercise) are the cornerstone for cholesterol management, along with medications when needed.   CK Muscle What: An enzyme found primarily in muscle cells. Elevations can indicate muscle damage from training.   Shows: Muscle damage and breakdown. Intense training naturally causes some elevation, but very high levels can indicate excessive muscle breakdown.   Benefits for Athletes: Helps gauge the intensity of workouts and monitor recovery. Tracking CK levels can aid in optimising training plans to maximise gains while preventing excessive muscle damage.   Who: Athletes, especially those engaging in strength training or high-intensity workouts.   Important: CK levels rise naturally after strenuous exercise, so interpretation requires an understanding of the athlete's training schedule.   Creatinine What: A waste product filtered from the blood by the kidneys. High levels can indicate kidney problems or other health issues.   Shows: Kidney function, which is crucial for fluid balance, electrolyte regulation, and waste removal.   Benefits for Athletes: Maintains hydration status and electrolyte balance by ensuring the kidneys are functioning properly. Detects kidney issues early before impacting performance.   Who: Important for all athletes, especially those with high protein intake or participating in endurance sports, which can stress the kidneys.   Important: Levels can fluctuate with hydration status, so interpretation requires context.   eGFR What: A calculation based on creatinine, age, sex, and other factors, providing a more precise estimate of kidney function.   Shows: Overall kidney health and stage of any chronic kidney disease.   Benefits for Athletes: A key marker for tracking kidney function over time, especially for athletes with risk factors for kidney disease.   Who: Athletes with suspected kidney issues, risk factors, or those being monitored for existing kidney disease.   Important: Provides a more accurate assessment of kidney function than creatinine alone.   Eosinophils What: A type of white blood cell involved in immune function and inflammation.   Shows: Assess overall immune system health and response. High levels may indicate active infection, inflammation, or certain conditions. Low levels can suggest a weakened immune system.   Benefits for Athletes: Helps monitor for infections, especially in athletes with frequent illness. May reveal underlying inflammation impacting recovery.   Who: Athletes with signs of infection, frequent illness, or suspected immune system dysfunction.   Important: Specific white cell subsets provide more detailed information about the nature of infection or inflammation.   FSH What: A hormone that stimulates sex hormone production and regulates the menstrual cycle in females.   Shows: Helps evaluate female reproductive function, menstrual cycle irregularities, and potential hormonal imbalances impacting performance.   Benefits for Athletes: Essential for assessing female athlete health, identifying causes of irregular periods, and understanding how hormonal fluctuations impact training.   Who: Female athletes with irregular periods, suspected hormonal issues, or those exploring fertility potential.   Important: Levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle; interpretation requires an understanding of the athlete's cycle phase.   Free Androgen Index (FAI) What: A calculation based on total testosterone and SHBG, estimating the amount of bioavailable (active) testosterone.   Shows: Provides another measure of androgen levels, especially helpful in women when normal total testosterone might not reflect high bioavailable levels.   Benefits for Athletes: Relevant for female athletes with signs of androgen excess (e.g., irregular periods, excess hair growth) that can impact performance and overall health.   Who: Primarily female athletes with suspected hormonal imbalances or signs of androgen excess.   Important: Interpretation requires considering clinical context and other hormone levels.   Free Testosterone What: The bioavailable (active) form of testosterone, the primary male sex hormone (also present in females) crucial for muscle growth, energy, and performance.   Shows: Overall sex hormone balance. Low testosterone can contribute to fatigue, decreased muscle mass, and impaired performance.   Benefits for Athletes: Helps identify potential hormonal imbalances affecting performance, recovery, and body composition.   Who: Athletes experiencing unexplained fatigue, changes in body composition, or those with suspected imbalances.   Important: Interpretation requires considering sex, age, and an athlete's training cycle.   FT3 What: One of the active forms of thyroid hormone. Optimal thyroid function is essential for metabolism, energy levels, and overall health.   Shows: Assesses overall thyroid health and identifies potential underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthyroidism) states.   Benefits for Athletes: Ensures optimal thyroid function, crucial for performance, recovery, and body composition.   Who: Athletes with fatigue, unexplained weight changes, or suspected thyroid issues. Routine screening for all athletes is important, as thyroid dysfunction can be subtle.   Important: Some conditions can affect thyroid test results, so interpretation should consider the athlete's full clinical picture.   FT4 What: One of the active forms of thyroid hormone. Optimal thyroid function is essential for metabolism, energy levels, and overall health.   Shows: Assesses overall thyroid health and identifies potential underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthyroidism) states.   Benefits for Athletes: Ensures optimal thyroid function, crucial for performance, recovery, and body composition.   Who: Athletes with fatigue, unexplained weight changes, or suspected thyroid issues. Routine screening for all athletes is important, as thyroid dysfunction can be subtle.   Important: Some conditions can affect thyroid test results, so interpretation should consider the athlete's full clinical picture.   GGT What: An enzyme primarily found in the liver. Elevated levels can indicate liver damage, inflammation, or other health conditions.   Shows: Assesses liver health and function. The liver plays a crucial role in energy metabolism, nutrient breakdown, detoxification, and many processes relevant to athletes.   Benefits for Athletes: Detects potential liver issues and allows for monitoring. Ensures proper liver function, crucial for recovery, performance, and overall health.   Who: Athletes taking supplements or medications that can affect the liver, or those with unexplained fatigue or changes in body composition.   Important: Many things can temporarily raise liver enzyme levels, including strenuous exercise and dietary factors.   Globulin What: A type of protein in the blood, crucial for various functions, including immune health and nutrient transport.   Shows: Overall protein status, potential nutritional deficiencies, liver or kidney issues.   Benefits for Athletes: Ensures adequate protein intake to support recovery and muscle growth. Helps identify potential issues affecting protein metabolism, crucial for optimal performance.   Who: Athletes with restricted diets, suspected nutritional deficiencies, or those with liver or kidney issues.   Important: Levels can be affected by many factors, including hydration status and inflammation.   HDL What: A type of "good" cholesterol in the blood.   Shows: Assesses heart disease risk. High LDL ("bad" cholesterol), low HDL ("good" cholesterol), and elevated triglycerides raise risk, even in fit individuals.   Benefits for Athletes: While athletes often have favourable lipid profiles, monitoring cholesterol is crucial for long-term cardiovascular health. Early detection and management help prevent heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular complications that can curtail athletic careers.   Who: Routine screening for all adults, but athletes should pay particular attention to these markers as optimal cardiovascular health is essential for performance.   Important: Lifestyle changes (diet, exercise) are the cornerstone for cholesterol management, along with medications when needed.   HDL % of Total Cholesterol What: The percentage of total cholesterol that is HDL ("good") cholesterol.   Shows: Provides another way to assess heart disease risk, as a high HDL percentage is protective.   Benefits for Athletes: Offers athletes a more nuanced perspective on their overall cholesterol balance. Helps track whether lifestyle changes or medications are improving their lipid profile.   Who: Part of routine cholesterol screening, with emphasis for athletes as optimal cardiovascular health supports their performance.   Important: Lifestyle changes (diet, exercise) are crucial for improving the HDL percentage.   Haemoglobin What: Measures red blood cell concentration, crucial for oxygen transport to muscles.   Shows: Detects anaemia (low red blood cells) or polycythaemia (too many red blood cells). Can be affected by iron status, hydration, and other factors.   Benefits for Athletes: Optimal haemoglobin levels are essential for oxygen delivery to muscles during training and competition. Ensures that athletes are not anaemic, which can cause fatigue and impaired performance. Who: Athletes of all levels, especially endurance athletes, females, or those with any signs of fatigue.   Important: Requires interpretation in the context of other blood count results and an athlete's training load.   Haematocrit What: Measures the percentage of red blood cells in the blood, crucial for oxygen transport to muscles.   Shows: Detects anaemia (low red blood cells) or polycythaemia (too many red blood cells). Can be affected by iron status, hydration, and other factors.   Benefits for Athletes: Optimal haematocrit levels are essential for oxygen delivery to muscles during training and competition. Ensures that athletes are not anaemic, which can cause fatigue and impaired performance.   Who: Athletes of all levels, especially endurance athletes, females, or those with any signs of fatigue.   Important: Requires interpretation in the context of other blood count results and an athlete's training load.   hsCRP What: A sensitive marker of inflammation that can increase with training overload or hidden health issues.   Shows: Levels of systemic inflammation. Chronically elevated levels can hinder recovery and contribute to long-term health risks.   Benefits for Athletes: Helps identify overtraining, underlying infections, or other inflammatory conditions that might be impacting performance and recovery.   Who: Athletes with unexplained prolonged fatigue, performance decline, or suspected inflammation.   Important: hsCRP can temporarily increase after intense training sessions, so interpretation requires context.   Iron What: Measures iron status, crucial for oxygen transport and energy production.   Shows: Assesses iron stores, distinguishes between iron deficiency anaemia and other types of anaemia, and can detect iron overload.   Benefits for Athletes: Iron deficiency is common in athletes, especially females and endurance athletes. Maintaining optimal iron levels is essential for endurance performance and recovery.   Who: Routine screening, especially for female athletes, endurance athletes, those with heavy menstrual bleeding, or those with restricted diets.   Important: Interpretation requires considering the combination of these markers and an athlete's dietary intake.   LDL What: A type of "bad" cholesterol in the blood.   Shows: Assesses heart disease risk. High LDL ("bad" cholesterol), low HDL ("good" cholesterol), and elevated triglycerides raise risk, even in fit individuals.   Benefits for Athletes: While athletes often have favourable lipid profiles, monitoring cholesterol is crucial for long-term cardiovascular health. Early detection and management help prevent heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular complications that can curtail athletic careers.   Who: Routine screening for all adults, but athletes should pay particular attention to these markers as optimal cardiovascular health is essential for performance.   Important: Lifestyle changes (diet, exercise) are the cornerstone for cholesterol management, along with medications when needed.   LH What: A hormone that stimulates sex hormone production and regulates the menstrual cycle in females.   Shows: Helps evaluate female reproductive function, menstrual cycle irregularities, and potential hormonal imbalances impacting performance.   Benefits for Athletes: Essential for assessing female athlete health, identifying causes of irregular periods, and understanding how hormonal fluctuations impact training.   Who: Female athletes with irregular periods, suspected hormonal issues, or those exploring fertility potential.   Important: Levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle; interpretation requires an understanding of the athlete's cycle phase.   Lymphocytes What: A type of white blood cell involved in immune function and inflammation.   Shows: Assess overall immune system health and response. High levels may indicate active infection, inflammation, or certain conditions. Low levels can suggest a weakened immune system.   Benefits for Athletes: Helps monitor for infections, especially in athletes with frequent illness. May reveal underlying inflammation impacting recovery.   Who: Athletes with signs of infection, frequent illness, or suspected immune system dysfunction.   Important: Specific white cell subsets provide more detailed information about the nature of infection or inflammation.   MCH What: Measures the average amount of haemoglobin in each red blood cell.   Shows: Helps classify anaemia, assess iron status, and may indicate certain nutritional deficiencies.   Benefits for Athletes: Helps distinguish between different causes of anaemia, crucial for targeted treatment and optimising performance. Provides clues about potential nutritional deficiencies impacting blood cell production.   Who: Athletes diagnosed with anaemia or those with fatigue, especially combined with risk factors for deficiencies.   Important: Interpretation requires considering the full panel of red blood cell measurements.   MCHC What: Measures the average concentration of haemoglobin in each red blood cell.   Shows: Helps classify anaemia, assess iron status, and may indicate certain nutritional deficiencies.   Benefits for Athletes: Helps distinguish between different causes of anaemia, crucial for targeted treatment and optimising performance. Provides clues about potential nutritional deficiencies impacting blood cell production.   Who: Athletes diagnosed with anaemia or those with fatigue, especially combined with risk factors for deficiencies.   Important: Interpretation requires considering the full panel of red blood cell measurements.   MCV What: Measures the average size of red blood cells.   Shows: Helps classify anaemia, assess iron status, and may indicate certain nutritional deficiencies.   Benefits for Athletes: Helps distinguish between different causes of anaemia, crucial for targeted treatment and optimising performance. Provides clues about potential nutritional deficiencies impacting blood cell production.   Who: Athletes diagnosed with anaemia or those with fatigue, especially combined with risk factors for deficiencies.   Important: Interpretation requires considering the full panel of red blood cell measurements.   Monocytes What: A type of white blood cell involved in immune function and inflammation.   Shows: Assess overall immune system health and response. High levels may indicate active infection, inflammation, or certain conditions. Low levels can suggest a weakened immune system.   Benefits for Athletes: Helps monitor for infections, especially in athletes with frequent illness. May reveal underlying inflammation impacting recovery.   Who: Athletes with signs of infection, frequent illness, or suspected immune system dysfunction.   Important: Specific white cell subsets provide more detailed information about the nature of infection or inflammation.   Neutrophils What: A type of white blood cell involved in immune function and inflammation.   Shows: Assess overall immune system health and response. High levels may indicate active infection, inflammation, or certain conditions. Low levels can suggest a weakened immune system.   Benefits for Athletes: Helps monitor for infections, especially in athletes with frequent illness. May reveal underlying inflammation impacting recovery.   Who: Athletes with signs of infection, frequent illness, or suspected immune system dysfunction.   Important: Specific white cell subsets provide more detailed information about the nature of infection or inflammation.   Non-HDL What: A type of cholesterol in the blood, calculated as total cholesterol minus HDL cholesterol.   Shows: Assesses heart disease risk. High LDL ("bad" cholesterol), low HDL ("good" cholesterol), and elevated triglycerides raise risk, even in fit individuals.   Benefits for Athletes: While athletes often have favourable lipid profiles, monitoring cholesterol is crucial for long-term cardiovascular health. Early detection and management help prevent heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular complications that can curtail athletic careers.   Who: Routine screening for all adults, but athletes should pay particular attention to these markers as optimal cardiovascular health is essential for performance.   Important: Lifestyle changes (diet, exercise) are the cornerstone for cholesterol management, along with medications when needed.   Oestradiol What: The primary female sex hormone, essential for menstrual cycle regulation, energy levels, and athletic performance.   Shows: Ovarian function and hormonal balance. Levels fluctuate throughout the menstrual cycle.   Benefits for Athletes: Helps assess female hormonal status, identify menstrual irregularities that impact performance, and track training adaptations in female athletes.   Who: Female athletes, especially those with irregular periods, suspected hormonal imbalances, or planning training around their menstrual cycle.   Important: Timing of oestradiol measurement within the menstrual cycle is crucial for accurate interpretation.   Platelet Count What: Measures the number of platelets, which are cell fragments essential for blood clotting.   Shows: High levels can be reactive or can indicate certain conditions. Low levels increase bleeding risk, though this is less common.   Benefits for Athletes: Assesses bleeding risk, especially important for contact sports. Helps identify potential clotting disorders that may affect recovery from strenuous exercise or injuries.   Who: Included in routine health screenings. Athletes should be particularly aware of very high or low levels that might impact their sport.   Important: Requires interpretation in the context of other blood count results, symptoms, and medications.   Prolactin What: A hormone that stimulates milk production after childbirth but has other functions. High levels (hyperprolactinaemia) can interfere with hormonal balance and energy levels.   Shows: Used to evaluate causes of irregular periods, unexplained energy dips, and potential pituitary gland issues.   Benefits for Athletes: Helps identify hormonal disturbances that can affect both male and female athletes' performance and overall well-being.   Who: Athletes with unexplained declines in performance, irregular periods (in females), or suspected pituitary gland issues.   Important: Stress, certain medications, and some medical conditions can raise prolactin levels.   RBC What: Measures the number of red blood cells, crucial for oxygen transport to muscles.   Shows: Helps classify anaemia, assess iron status, and may indicate certain nutritional deficiencies.   Benefits for Athletes: Helps distinguish between different causes of anaemia, crucial for targeted treatment and optimising performance. Provides clues about potential nutritional deficiencies impacting blood cell production.   Who: Athletes diagnosed with anaemia or those with fatigue, especially combined with risk factors for deficiencies.   Important: Interpretation requires considering the full panel of red blood cell measurements.   RDW What: Measures the variation in size of red blood cells.   Shows: Helps classify anaemia, assess iron status, and may indicate certain nutritional deficiencies.   Benefits for Athletes: Helps distinguish between different causes of anaemia, crucial for targeted treatment and optimising performance. Provides clues about potential nutritional deficiencies impacting blood cell production.   Who: Athletes diagnosed with anaemia or those with fatigue, especially combined with risk factors for deficiencies.   Important: Interpretation requires considering the full panel of red blood cell measurements.   SHBG What: A protein that binds to testosterone, regulating its availability.   Shows: Overall sex hormone balance. Low testosterone can contribute to fatigue, decreased muscle mass, and impaired performance.   Benefits for Athletes: Helps identify potential hormonal imbalances affecting performance, recovery, and body composition.   Who: Athletes experiencing unexplained fatigue, changes in body composition, or those with suspected imbalances.   Important: Interpretation requires considering sex, age, and an athlete's training cycle.   Sodium What: An essential mineral involved in fluid balance, nerve and muscle function, and many bodily processes.   Shows: Hydration status, electrolyte imbalances. Levels can fluctuate significantly with sweat loss.   Benefits for Athletes: Essential for athletes to monitor, especially those in endurance sports or who experience heavy sweating. Imbalances can hinder performance and lead to muscle cramps or more serious health concerns.   Who: Athletes, especially those in endurance sports or training in hot climates where significant sweat loss occurs.   Important: Levels can fluctuate with fluid intake, diet, and certain medications.   Testosterone What: The primary male sex hormone (also present in females) crucial for muscle growth, energy, and performance.   Shows: Overall sex hormone balance. Low testosterone can contribute to fatigue, decreased muscle mass, and impaired performance.   Benefits for Athletes: Helps identify potential hormonal imbalances affecting performance, recovery, and body composition.   Who: Athletes experiencing unexplained fatigue, changes in body composition, or those with suspected imbalances.   Important: Interpretation requires considering sex, age, and an athlete's training cycle.   TIBC What: Measures the total iron-binding capacity of the blood, reflecting the amount of iron that can be transported.   Shows: Assesses iron stores, distinguishes between iron deficiency anaemia and other types of anaemia, and can detect iron overload.   Benefits for Athletes: Iron deficiency is common in athletes, especially females and endurance athletes. Maintaining optimal iron levels is essential for endurance performance and recovery.   Who: Routine screening, especially for female athletes, endurance athletes, those with heavy menstrual bleeding, or those with restricted diets.   Important: Interpretation requires considering the combination of these markers and an athlete's dietary intake.   Total Protein What: Measures the total amount of protein in the blood, crucial for various functions, including immune health and nutrient transport.   Shows: Overall protein status, potential nutritional deficiencies, liver or kidney issues.   Benefits for Athletes: Ensures adequate protein intake to support recovery and muscle growth. Helps identify potential issues affecting protein metabolism, crucial for optimal performance.   Who: Athletes with restricted diets, suspected nutritional deficiencies, or those with liver or kidney issues.   Important: Levels can be affected by many factors, including hydration status and inflammation.   Triglycerides What: A type of fat (lipid) in the blood.   Shows: Assesses heart disease risk. High LDL ("bad" cholesterol), low HDL ("good" cholesterol), and elevated triglycerides raise risk, even in fit individuals.   Benefits for Athletes: While athletes often have favourable lipid profiles, monitoring cholesterol is crucial for long-term cardiovascular health. Early detection and management help prevent heart attacks, strokes, and other cardiovascular complications that can curtail athletic careers.   Who: Routine screening for all adults, but athletes should pay particular attention to these markers as optimal cardiovascular health is essential for performance.   Important: Lifestyle changes (diet, exercise) are the cornerstone for cholesterol management, along with medications when needed.   TSH What: A hormone that stimulates the production of thyroid hormones. Optimal thyroid function is essential for metabolism, energy levels, and overall health.   Shows: Assesses overall thyroid health and identifies potential underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive (hyperthyroidism) states.   Benefits for Athletes: Ensures optimal thyroid function, crucial for performance, recovery, and body composition.   Who: Athletes with fatigue, unexplained weight changes, or suspected thyroid issues. Routine screening for all athletes is important, as thyroid dysfunction can be subtle.   Important: Some conditions can affect thyroid test results, so interpretation should consider the athlete's full clinical picture.   UIBC What: Measures the unsaturated iron-binding capacity of the blood, reflecting the amount of transferrin that is not bound to iron.   Shows: Assesses iron stores, distinguishes between iron deficiency anaemia and other types of anaemia, and can detect iron overload.   Benefits for Athletes: Iron deficiency is common in athletes, especially females and endurance athletes. Maintaining optimal iron levels is essential for endurance performance and recovery.   Who: Routine screening, especially for female athletes, endurance athletes, those with heavy menstrual bleeding, or those with restricted diets.   Important: Interpretation requires considering the combination of these markers and an athlete's dietary intake.   Urea What: A waste product filtered from the blood by the kidneys. High levels can indicate kidney problems or other health issues.   Shows: Kidney function, which is crucial for fluid balance, electrolyte regulation, and waste removal.   Benefits for Athletes: Maintains hydration status and electrolyte balance by ensuring the kidneys are functioning properly. Detects kidney issues early before impacting performance.   Who: Important for all athletes, especially those with high protein intake or participating in endurance sports, which can stress the kidneys.   Important: Levels can fluctuate with hydration status, so interpretation requires context.   White Cell Count What: Measures the total number of white blood cells, which are involved in immune function and inflammation.   Shows: Assesses overall immune system health and response. High levels may indicate active infection, inflammation, or certain conditions. Low levels can suggest a weakened immune system.   Benefits for Athletes: Helps monitor for infections, especially in athletes with frequent illness. May reveal underlying inflammation impacting recovery.   Who: Athletes with signs of infection, frequent illness, or suspected immune system dysfunction.   Important: Specific white cell subsets provide more detailed information about the nature of infection or inflammation.   ​