Early‑season lab work anchors coaching decisions to objective data. By testing now, before training load ramps up, we can identify deficiencies, set baselines, and individualise training, nutrition, and recovery strategies. This protects athlete health, supports performance, and provides context for changes across the season.
- Identify deficiencies or imbalances early, allowing targeted interventions.
- Guide training, nutrition, and recovery strategies.
- Provide context for performance changes across the season.
- Support athlete health, safety, and long‑term availability.
🔥 Inflammation
⚡ Metabolic
🧬 Hormonal
🦴 Bone & Minerals
❤️ Cardiac
🖼 Imaging
Monitoring & Feedback Loop
Goal: Ensure lab data informs safe training progression
- Upload results to TrainingPeaks or shared folder.
- Coach reviews before adjusting training plan.
- Repeat testing mid‑season if flagged by results.
Panel 1 — Iron & Oxygen Transport
Goal: Ensure red blood cell production and aerobic capacity aren’t limited.
- Ferritin, Haemoglobin, Haematocrit
- Serum Iron, Transferrin, TIBC, Transferrin Saturation
- Soluble Transferrin Receptor (sTfR), Hepcidin (if available)
🗒 Coach notes: Low ferritin (<30 µg/L) or abnormal Hb/Hct requires medical review before training load increases.
Red‑flag check: Abnormal results → stop progression, seek medical clearance.
Panel 2 — Inflammation & Recovery
Goal: Distinguish healthy training stress from unresolved strain or illness.
- C‑Reactive Protein (CRP)
- Creatine Kinase (CK)
🗒 Coach notes: Elevated CRP or CK outside expected post‑training windows suggests unresolved inflammation or over‑reaching.
Red‑flag check: Persistently high CRP → medical review.
Panel 3 — Metabolic
Goal: Confirm thyroid, glucose, lipid, and vitamin D status for adaptation and recovery.
- 25‑Hydroxyvitamin D
- TSH, Free T3, Free T4
- Fasting Glucose, Fasting Insulin
- Lipid Profile (TC, LDL‑C, HDL‑C, TG)
- Liver Enzymes (ALT, AST, GGT)
🗒 Coach notes: Low vitamin D, abnormal thyroid, or poor lipid profile → adjust nutrition and training load.
Red‑flag check: Abnormal thyroid or glucose → escalate to doctor.
Panel 4 — Hormonal
Goal: Monitor anabolic/catabolic balance, menstrual health, and RED‑S risk.
- Total & Free Testosterone
- 17β‑Oestradiol (E2), Progesterone
- LH, FSH
- Cortisol (AM draw, diurnal profile if available)
🗒 Coach notes: Low sex hormones or elevated cortisol may indicate RED‑S, over‑training, or endocrine issues.
Red‑flag check: Abnormal hormone profile → medical review before progression.
Panel 5 — Bone & Minerals
Goal: Protect against stress injuries and support long‑term availability.
- Calcium, Magnesium, Zinc
- Vitamin K1 (optional, if available)
🗒 Coach notes: Deficiencies increase risk of bone stress injuries; ensure adequate intake and monitor trends.
Red‑flag check: Abnormal calcium or magnesium → escalate to doctor.
Panel 6 — Cardiac
Goal: Add safety and context for tracking progress.
- Resting 12‑lead ECG (if due)
🗒 Coach notes: ECG abnormalities require cardiology review before clearance for high‑intensity training.
Red‑flag check: Any abnormal ECG → immediate medical referral.
Panel 7 — Imaging
Goal: Provide baseline body composition and bone density data.
- DEXA — Dual‑Energy X‑ray Absorptiometry
🗒 Coach notes: Use DEXA to track lean mass, fat mass, and bone mineral density across the season.
Red‑flag check: Low bone mineral density → medical review and nutrition intervention.
Lab Request — Start‑of‑Base‑Season
Athlete: ___________________
Date: ___________
DOB: ___________
Scenario: Start‑of‑Base‑Season
Coach/Ref: ESP – Patrick@esp.co.nz
| ✔ | Panel | Test Name (Full) | Specimen | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iron | Ferritin | Blood | Low ferritin (<30 µg/L) → medical review | |
| Iron | Haemoglobin | Blood | Check for anaemia | |
| Iron | Haematocrit | Blood | Supports Hb interpretation | |
| Iron | Serum Iron | Blood | Iron status | |
| Iron | Transferrin | Blood | Iron transport protein | |
| Iron | TIBC | Blood | Total iron-binding capacity | |
| Iron | Transferrin Saturation | Blood | Iron availability | |
| Iron | Soluble Transferrin Receptor (sTfR) | Blood | Optional — iron demand marker | |
| Iron | Hepcidin | Blood | Optional — iron regulation | |
| Inflam | C-Reactive Protein (CRP) | Blood | Elevated CRP → unresolved strain | |
| Inflam | Creatine Kinase (CK) | Blood | Elevated CK → muscle damage | |
| Metabolic | 25-Hydroxyvitamin D | Blood | Low → adjust nutrition | |
| Metabolic | TSH | Blood | Thyroid function | |
| Metabolic | Free T3 | Blood | Thyroid hormone | |
| Metabolic | Free T4 | Blood | Thyroid hormone | |
| Metabolic | Fasting Glucose | Blood | Metabolic health | |
| Metabolic | Fasting Insulin | Blood | Insulin sensitivity | |
| Metabolic | Lipid Profile (TC, LDL-C, HDL-C, TG) | Blood | Cardiometabolic risk | |
| Metabolic | Liver Enzymes (ALT, AST, GGT) | Blood | Liver function | |
| Hormonal | Total & Free Testosterone | Blood | Low → RED-S risk | |
| Hormonal | 17β-Oestradiol (E2) | Blood | Menstrual health | |
| Hormonal | Progesterone | Blood | Cycle phase | |
| Hormonal | LH | Blood | Reproductive axis | |
| Hormonal | FSH | Blood | Reproductive axis | |
| Hormonal | Cortisol (AM draw) | Blood | Stress/adaptation | |
| Bone | Calcium | Blood | Bone stress risk | |
| Bone | Magnesium | Blood | Muscle & bone health | |
| Bone | Zinc | Blood | Recovery & immunity | |
| Bone | Vitamin K1 | Blood | Optional — bone metabolism | |
| Cardiac | Resting 12-lead ECG | Imaging | If due — safety check | |
| Imaging | DEXA — Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry | Imaging | Body composition & bone density |