Bodybuilding and other physical sports necessitate more than just intensive training.
Because the amount of labor required in these disciplines will push your body to its limits, regular health monitoring should be considered at all times.
That is why bloodwork for bodybuilding is recommended before and throughout particular periods of exercise.
Similarly, blood tests are essential, especially if you are using dietary supplements.
Nonetheless, because this type of labor and supplementation is common in bodybuilding and sports training, doctors frequently recommend specialized blood tests.
If you are a bodybuilder or want to become one, this is the spot to learn about the bodybuilding blood work you will require.
Bodybuilding Blood Works
Blood testing for bodybuilders should include the CBC, CMP-14, and cortisol, reproductive hormones, insulin, and thyroid hormones.
Other types of blood tests may be ordered by your doctor based on your health status or if you have an existing disease or infection.
Why Are Blood Tests Necessary for Bodybuilders?
Annual health consultations and checks, as well as the aforementioned blood tests, are required for professional bodybuilders and sports.
If you have health issues that need to be treated, the frequency of your doctor’s appointments may rise.
Indeed, the health screening required for bodybuilding can be more rigorous than that required for other less physically demanding sports.
However, it comes with the general assumption that if you begin hard training, such as resistance workouts and strength-building activities, your body will undergo significant changes.
Your muscular tissues will be damaged during the process of developing slimmer muscles and lower body fats, which may cause inflammation and an imbalance in enzyme and hormone production.
It is exacerbated further by the use of steroids and the delivery of testosterone replacement medication (TRT).
Anabolic steroid use has been linked to illnesses such as myocardial infarction and cancer in studies over the years.
As a result, anyone who uses steroids to enhance their physique, even if they are not competing in bodybuilding, should have some bloodwork done.
If the alterations in the body caused by these behaviors are not monitored, you may end up risking your complete health.
Furthermore, if you go excessive with the workout and supplements, negative outcomes may occur.
3 Types of Blood Tests Bodybuilders Need to Take
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
A complete blood count (CBC) is a standard inclusion in a routine checkup. It is performed to evaluate your blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets).
Your CBC results will reveal plenty of information about your health. It is used for screening, diagnosing and monitoring a variation of conditions that affect your blood cells
Each composition of your blood has reference ranges for normal counts.
For example, elevated white blood cells (WBCs) may suggest infection.
Low red blood cells (RBCs) can be linked to anemia.
Nonetheless, CBC provides baseline information about your general health. In addition, it reveals probable health conditions that could interfere with your bodybuilding training and food requirements.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel 14 (CMP 14)
To examine your metabolism and provide an overview of your body’s chemistry, a thorough metabolic panel is conducted. It consists of 14 tests aimed to assess key organs and physiological fluids.
CMP can provide your doctor with information like as protein levels, serum glucose levels, electrolytes, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, calcium, bilirubin, sodium, chloride, and potassium levels.
These compounds should have concentrations that are lower than the typical reference range. Otherwise, it may raise concerns about your health.
CMP is more more important if you’re taking drugs or supplements like anabolic steroids because it determines whether these compounds are causing liver and kidney damage.
Hormone Analysis
Hormones have an important role in bodybuilding. Anabolic hormones, for example, are known to increase muscular growth. Catabolic hormones, on the other hand, are most likely to hinder the process.
As a result, having more anabolic hormones in your blood than catabolic hormones makes logical. So, here’s a list of hormones that either promote anabolism or catabolism.
Anabolic hormones
- Growth hormone
- Testosterone
- Insulin
- Insulin-like growth factors
Catabolic Hormones
- Cortisol
- Glucagon
- Epinephrine
For Male bodybuilders
Male bodybuilders’ testosterone levels are always a source of concern.
Male bodybuilders would prefer increased testosterone, therefore drugs were commonly used in the procedure.
Steroids are a man-made version of testosterone. This hormone is produced largely by the testes and promotes male characteristics such as muscle growth.
Those who use steroids or TRT to augment their resistance and strength training should notice obvious bulking.
If this is not the case, your testosterone levels should be evaluated with a blood test to rule out any potential problems, such as liver or thyroid illnesses.
For Female Bodybuilders
Women’s sex steroids, such as estrogen and progesterone, may not have the same effect as testosterone. However, female bodybuilders must maintain a healthy balance in order to acquire their desired shape.
Estrogen, for example, can build collagen in connective tissues and stimulate muscle growth.
According to a study conducted by the University of California, Davis, a high estrogen level can reduce women’s strength and performance and increase their risk of injury.
In contrast to estrogen, progesterone can enhance the creation of muscle proteins. As a result, the procedure is nearly identical to that of testosterone.
If there is a significant imbalance in estrogen and progesterone, other hormones such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are measured.
The brain produces these two hormones. FSH induces the secretion of estrogen, while LH is in charge of progesterone.
General Hormone Testing
Aside from sex steroids, blood tests are used to assess other substances in the body.
Insulin levels, for example, are monitored on a regular basis since some bodybuilders employ this hormone to improve performance and avoid breakdown while building muscle fibers.
With glucagon, the opposite effects occur.
Uncontrolled insulin use can lead to major complications.
Thyroid hormones, such as triiodothyronine, are another set of hormones evaluated for bodybuilders (T3). It also includes hormone-stimulating drugs, such as thyroid-stimulating hormone.
Your thyroid gland should be in good health when bodybuilding because it is important for metabolism and muscular growth.
Hormone testing connected to their functions can provide useful information regarding their condition.
In Conclusion
Bodybuilders should not disregard the importance of blood tests at least once a year.
The bodybuilding process offers various health benefits, which can only be enhanced with regular monitoring.
Before you start your intense workout, have a Bodybuilder Profile Blood Test. This set of tests already includes the essential lab testing for bodybuilders.
CBC, CMP 14, and hormone testing such as cortisol, insulin, T3, TPO antibodies, TSH, LH, FSH, and sex steroids testosterone, progesterone, and estradiol are all possible. All of the necessary bodybuilding tests are wrapped into one. All you have to do is request the blood test and you’re done.