Can I have coffee before a sports performance blood test?

No. NHS fasting guidance says to drink only water, and to avoid tea and coffee, including black coffee, until your sample is taken.

Should I train before my blood test?

No. Strenuous exercise can raise muscle markers such as CK and make results harder to interpret, so avoid hard training before your test.

Why might my kidney result look low if I lift weights?

eGFR is calculated from creatinine, which comes from muscle. If you have a lot of muscle or take protein supplements, eGFR can underestimate how well your kidneys are working.

Sports performance

Private blood test

Sports Performance Blood Test

A wide panel for active people, covering markers linked to training, recovery and energy, with a Plus option for more detail.

51 biomarkers
Fasting required

Choose your panel

Sports Performance51 biomarkers£269Sports Performance Plus58 biomarkers£529

Sports Performance

£269Includes sample collection

Book this test Ask a question

We confirm your appointment and any preparation, such as fasting, before you attend.

What’s included

51 biomarkers in Sports Performance.

Fasting required before this test

Heart & cholesterol9

Cholesterol and other fats in the blood that are linked to heart health.

Apolipoprotein A-I
Apolipoprotein B
Apolipoprotein B / A-I Ratio
Creatine Kinase-MB (CK-MB)
HDL
LDL
Total Cholesterol
Total Cholesterol / HDL Cholesterol Ratio
Triglycerides

Blood sugar & diabetes2

How your body manages sugar, including your average level over recent months.

Glucose
HbA1c

Liver6

Enzymes and proteins that show how well your liver is working.

Alanine Aminotransferase (ALT)
Albumin
Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)
Gamma-Glutamyltransferase (GGT)
Total Bilirubin

Kidneys5

How well your kidneys filter waste from your blood.

Creatinine
Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR)
Urea
Uric Acid
Urinalysis

Body salts & minerals6

Electrolytes and minerals that help your nerves, muscles and heart work properly.

Calcium (adjusted)
Chloride
Magnesium
Phosphate
Potassium
Sodium

Iron & anaemia5

Your iron levels and stores, a common cause of tiredness when low.

Ferritin
Iron
Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC)
Transferrin
Transferrin Saturation

Vitamins3

Key vitamins for energy, nerves, bones and healthy blood.

Folic acid
Vitamin B12
Vitamin D

Blood count1

Your red cells, white cells and platelets.

Full Blood Count

Thyroid3

How well your thyroid is working, and antibodies linked to thyroid conditions.

Free Thyroxine (FT4)
Free Tri-iodothyronine (FT3)
Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

Hormones & fertility6

Reproductive, stress and adrenal hormones.

Cortisol
Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulphate (DHEAs)
Free Androgen Index
Luteinising Hormone
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin (SHBG)
Testosterone

Inflammation & immunity3

Signs of inflammation in the body and how your immune system is working.

C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
High Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hsCRP)
Total Antioxidant Status

Muscle & bone2

Markers of muscle damage and the hormone that controls calcium in your bones.

Creatine Kinase
Myoglobin

About this test

Is the Sports Performance Blood Test right for you?

Who it’s for

You train regularly and want a baseline check of health markers such as iron, vitamins, hormones, cholesterol and organ function.
You have been more tired than usual or are recovering slowly from training, and want to check for common causes such as low iron or an underactive thyroid.
You follow a vegan or plant-based diet and want to check your vitamin B12 and iron.
You have heavy periods, which are a common cause of low iron.
You want to recheck your markers over time, for example at the start and end of a training season.

What it can show

Creatine kinase (CK), CK-MB and myoglobin are proteins found in muscle. They give a picture of muscle strain, and CK in particular rises after hard training.
A full blood count, iron, ferritin, transferrin, TIBC and transferrin saturation, vitamin B12, folic acid, vitamin D and magnesium look at your blood and nutrient levels. Low iron can cause tiredness and lack of energy.
Testosterone, SHBG, the free androgen index, LH, DHEAS and cortisol are hormones, and TSH, free T4 and free T3 show how your thyroid is working.
Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides, apolipoproteins, glucose and HbA1c relate to heart and metabolic health. CRP and hsCRP show inflammation, and kidney, liver, uric acid and urinalysis results show how your organs are working.
The Plus option includes everything above and adds thyroid antibodies (anti-TPO and anti-Tg), free testosterone, red cell folate, zinc, IGF-1 and an omega-3 index. IGF-1 is used by doctors to look at growth hormone activity. Total antioxidant status is also reported, but it is not used in NHS or NICE guidance and is background information only.

What it can’t tell you

Hard training raises CK. AST is found in muscle as well as the liver, so muscle strain can raise it too and make results look abnormal when you are healthy.
A lot of muscle, or taking protein supplements, can make the kidney result (eGFR) look lower than it really is.
Testosterone is highest in the morning and falls after eating and poor sleep, so a single low result needs repeating before any conclusion is drawn.
This test looks at health markers. It does not measure fitness or predict performance.
Results need to be interpreted alongside your symptoms and training. Diagnosis and treatment of any condition found are with your GP or specialist.

Before your test

Sports Performance needs a fasting sample. Have nothing to eat or drink except water for 8 to 12 hours beforehand, so an overnight fast and a morning appointment work best. Do not have tea or coffee (including black coffee), chewing gum or nicotine that morning.
Sports Performance Plus includes the full Sports Performance panel, so it needs the same fasting sample.
Book a morning appointment, before 11am, and avoid strenuous exercise before your test. Tell us about any hard training, races or injuries in the days before.
Biotin (vitamin B7), found in some hair, skin and nail supplements, can affect some hormone and thyroid results. Tell us if you take it, and if you take a high dose (5mg or more a day), stop it for a week before your test if it is safe to do so.

Your results

Usually within a couple of working days. We email your results once a doctor has reviewed them.

How it works

From booking to results in three steps.

Step 1
Request your test
Send a booking request online or call us. We confirm your clinic, appointment time and any preparation.
Step 2
Visit the clinic
A short appointment for professional sample collection at Greysteel or Letterkenny. No GP referral needed.
Step 3
Receive your results
Usually within a couple of working days, emailed to you once a doctor has reviewed them.

Common questions

Questions about this test.

This test checks markers linked to energy, recovery and general health, including iron, vitamins, hormones, thyroid, muscle enzymes, cholesterol, and kidney and liver function. It looks at your health, not your fitness.