Fitness Profile — Essentials Test
Assess blood-based health markers and insights to help you optimize or begin your fitness routine. This is an introductory panel for the fitness-minded person. Read more
The Fitness Profile – Essentials also includes the collection of key body measurements and an online Health Risk Assessment, which is a brief survey that will capture family health history and current health and wellness behaviors. These additional metrics include a Biometric Screening (physical measurements of your height, weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure); a Health Risk Assessment survey to gather information about your family health history and your current health and wellness behaviors; a personalized Health Quotient Score which can be used to help you better understand and track your individual health and fitness. You may request a personal discussion with a doctor to review your results and help you set measurable and achievable health goals.
How it works
A low white blood cell count, also called leukopenia, may mean your body cannot fight off infection, and an excessive white blood cell count (leukocytosis) may indicate an infection or inflammation. Additionally, white blood cells are a component of the immune system and are classified into subtypes called neutrophils, monocytes, lymphocytes, eosinophils, and basophils. If the neutrophil count is high, this may be indicative of an acute infection, stress, muscle damage, rheumatoid arthritis, or other inflammatory disorders.
If the neutrophil count is low, it may be the result of a bacterial infection or medical condition. A consistently low neutrophil count, in the absence of disease, may be a sign of overtraining.
Monocytes can be elevated because of an infection, inflammation, allergic reaction, or asthma. During exercise, the number of monocytes in circulation increases. However, the number of monocytes in circulation normally returns to resting levels when exercise stops. Athletes, especially endurance and female athletes, may normally have lower monocyte counts than the range of normal results (called the reference range). This is often considered an adaptation to training.
An elevated lymphocyte count may mean an infection or other immune challenge. If the lymphocyte count is low, it may be the result of a medical condition. A low lymphocyte count may also occur from undernutrition, stress, use of corticosteroids (such as prednisone), or high exercise volumes.
If the eosinophil count is high, it could be the result of an infection, allergic reaction, eczema, or asthma. Certain medical conditions such as autoimmune diseases, hay fever, or leukemia are also associated with elevated eosinophil counts. If the eosinophil count is low, it may be the result of high levels of cortisol in the body or alcohol intoxication.
When the number of basophils, like eosinophils, climbs too high, they can contribute to allergies and other inflammatory reactions in the body. A low basophil count may indicate that the athlete is unlikely to be experiencing an allergic response and this is generally not a cause for concern.
In medicine, triglycerides are used to monitor for conditions like diabetes or coronary artery disease. However, triglycerides can provide an important fuel during exercise. Triglycerides are a type of fat found in the blood. When you eat, your body converts any calories it doesn't need to use right away into triglycerides. The triglycerides are then stored in your fat cells. Later, when your body needs energy, hormones release the triglycerides into your blood so they can be used for fuel. This process is known as lipolysis.
People who exercise frequently tend to have lower levels of triglycerides in their blood because their bodies use more triglycerides for energy during exercise. Distance runners and other endurance athletes usually have the lowest levels of triglycerides because they use the most energy during exercise. Triglycerides are an important source of energy for athletes, helping them to maintain their performance during exercise.
The primary role of thyroid hormones is to regulate metabolic rate, and improper function of the thyroid gland could lead to significant decreases in athletic performance.
If thyroid stimulating hormones, or TSH, is high, the thyroid gland is likely not producing enough thyroid hormones or working as it should. Underactive thyroid function can affect energy levels, growth, mood, and performance. Because of fatigue, hypothyroidism can make it difficult to exercise, and your capacity to train as an athlete is significantly reduced.
When the TSH level is low, it means that the thyroid gland is overactive and producing high amounts of thyroid hormones. An overactive thyroid may make maintaining muscle mass difficult. The oversecretion of thyroid hormones can have a catabolic effect on skeletal muscle tissue.
Importantly, athletes can maintain healthy thyroid hormone levels and avoid these complications with proper diagnosis and treatment.
No, there is a difference between the terms, though they sometimes seem to be used interchangeably. Anemia is caused by insufficient levels of hemoglobin, whereas a lack of iron causes iron deficiency.
It's possible to have an iron deficiency while maintaining a normal hemoglobin level. However, a person with iron deficiency anemia has neither sufficient levels of hemoglobin nor iron. It's important to note that anemia can also be caused by issues other than iron imbalance, such as blood loss, inflammation, and certain health conditions.