Perform with Dr. Andy Galpin

How to Use & Interpret Blood Tests for High Performance

Aug 7, 2024

Explore the transformative potential of blood testing for athletic performance. Discover how to select the right blood markers tailored to your personal goals. Learn about the timing and preparation needed for accurate results. Delve into the significance of interpreting reference ranges and natural variability. Uncover ways to enhance your results through targeted nutrition and training. This engaging discussion equips listeners with the tools to optimize health and performance by mastering the art of blood analysis.

02:22:34

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Quick takeaways

Blood testing for performance differs significantly from medical panels, requiring specific markers tailored to individual athletic goals.

Understanding context and variability in blood markers is crucial for accurate interpretation, allowing actionable insights for health and performance.

Lifestyle factors such as nutrition, hydration, and sleep greatly influence blood test outcomes, emphasizing their importance in overall well-being and performance.

Establishing baseline blood markers through routine testing creates a personal health profile that guides future interventions and improvements.

Making informed interventions based on observed blood markers can lead to significant enhancements in performance and recovery for athletes.

Deep dives

The Purpose of Blood Testing

Blood testing is often perceived as uninformative or underwhelming by many individuals. Despite its widespread use, many people find that blood tests do not provide actionable insights into their health or performance. The episode emphasizes understanding the context around blood work to better interpret results, moving beyond numbers to glean useful information. By applying this understanding, individuals can learn how to leverage their blood work for improving health and performance outcomes.

Prioritize Hydration and Monitor Albumin Levels

01:27

The Importance of Magnesium Measurement in Blood

00:55

Importance of Hydration and Preparation for Blood Draw

01:06

Optimize Health Monitoring: Less is More

01:27

Intro

6min

Unlocking Performance Through Blood Testing

25min

Understanding Blood Markers for Personalized Nutrition

35min

Mastering Blood Testing for Athletes

54min

Mastering Blood Test Insights

22min

In this episode, I discuss blood testing for athletic performance. I explain how performance-based blood testing differs from medical or disease-based blood panels and the pros and cons of blood testing for performance.

I explain how to choose specific blood markers based on your performance goals, scenario, and situation. I also discuss the timing, frequency, and preparation for blood tests to increase the accuracy and validity of results. I explain how to contextualize blood test results, interpret reference ranges, and account for the natural variability of blood markers. I also discuss how to improve blood test results through nutrition, behaviors, training, or supplementation.

Listeners of this episode will understand how to determine appropriate blood markers for yourself or your client based on specific training goals and how to interpret blood results so you can look, feel, and perform at your best.

Access the full show notes for this episode at performpodcast.com.

Thank you to our sponsors

AG1: https://drinkag1.com/perform

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Vitality Blueprint: https://vitalityblueprint.com/perform

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Renaissance Periodization: https://rpstrength.com/perform

Timestamps

00:00:00 Blood Testing, Albumin, MCV

00:03:05 Sponsors: Eight Sleep & Vitality Blueprint

00:05:55 Blood Testing for Performance

00:09:24 Cons of Blood Work

00:13:39 Pros of Blood Work

00:19:30 Investigate: Blood Panels for General Health, CBC, CMP

00:25:14 Blood Panels for Performance; Bodybuilding, Protein Turnover

00:32:08 Sponsors: Momentous & LMNT

00:35:21 Albumin, Hydration, Inflammation

00:38:50 Endurance Training, Iron

00:46:33 Essential Vitamins & Minerals: Zinc, Chromium, Magnesium, B12

00:50:52 Sodium, Potassium

00:56:48 Energy & Fatigue, Blood Glucose

01:02:39 Sponsors: AG1 & Renaissance Periodization

01:05:18 Tool: Getting Good Blood Data, 48-Hour Rule, Timing, Hydration

01:12:55 Sensitive vs. Resilient Markers; Blood Test Consistency, Testosterone

01:19:41 Interpret: References Ranges, Blood Glucose, Homocysteine

01:28:44 Context & Interpretation, Strength vs. Endurance

01:34:13 Sleep Apnea, Hemoglobin, Endurance Training

01:37:33 Medical vs. Performance Blood Markers, Blood Volume, Creatinine

01:46:18 ALT, AST, Athlete’s Paradox

01:49:05 Optimal for What?, Context & Blood Markers

01:56:35 Tool: Analytical, Diurnal & Biological Variability

02:01:39 Patterns & Categories: Hydration, Inflammation

02:09:01 Intervene: Big Solutions, Direct Markers vs. Systemic Solutions

02:20:57 Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Subscribe & Reviews, Sponsors, YouTube Feedback, Perform Newsletter, Social Media

Disclaimer & Disclosures

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Perform with Dr. Andy Galpin

How to Use & Interpret Blood Tests for High Performance

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

The Purpose of Blood Testing

Understanding Key Blood Markers

Evaluating the Pros and Cons of Blood Work

Choosing Appropriate Blood Markers

Interpreting Blood Test Results

The Role of Lifestyle in Health

Making Informed Interventions

Understanding Inflammation

The Importance of Baseline Data

Practical Advice for Action

Prioritize Hydration and Monitor Albumin Levels

The Importance of Magnesium Measurement in Blood

Importance of Hydration and Preparation for Blood Draw

Optimize Health Monitoring: Less is More

Thank you to our sponsors

Timestamps

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts