Bodybuilding and other physical sports necessitate more than just hard work. Because the amount of effort necessary in these occupations will tax your body, you should consider routine health monitoring at all times.
As a result, bloodwork for bodybuilding is recommended prior to and throughout specified periods of activity. Blood tests are often required, particularly if you use nutritional supplements.
Nonetheless, because this type of work and supplementation is common in bodybuilding and sports training, doctors usually recommend certain blood tests. If you are or want to be a bodybuilder, this is the spot to learn about the blood work required for bodybuilding.
Bodybuilding Blood Works
Blood testing for bodybuilders should include CBC, CMP-14, cortisol, reproductive hormones, insulin, and thyroid hormones.
Your doctor may order further blood tests based on your health status or if you have a current illness or infection.
Why Are Blood Tests Necessary for Bodybuilders?
Professional bodybuilders and athletes are required to get annual health consultations and exams, as well as the blood tests described above.
If you have health issues that require treatment, your doctor’s visits may become more frequent.
Bodybuilding health screening can be more stringent than other less physically demanding sports.
However, it does indicate that if you undertake hard training, such as resistance workouts and strength-building exercises, your body will undergo significant changes.
Thinner muscles and lower body fat can cause muscle injury, which can lead to inflammation and an imbalance in enzyme and hormone synthesis. It is exacerbated further by the use of steroids and the use of testosterone replacement medication (TRT).
Anabolic steroid use has been linked to diseases such as myocardial infarction and cancer in studies over the years.
As a result, even if they do not participate in bodybuilding, anyone who uses steroids to improve their physique should have bloodwork done.
If the changes in the body caused by these behaviors are not watched, your complete health may be jeopardized. Furthermore, if you overdo the workouts and supplements, you may have undesirable consequences.
3 Types of Blood Tests Bodybuilders Need to Take
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
A complete blood count is frequently included in a standard exam (CBC). It is used to examine your blood cells (red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets).
Your CBC results will reveal a lot about your health. It is used to screen for, diagnose, and monitor a number of blood cell diseases. There are normal count reference ranges for each component of your blood.
Infection, for example, may be indicated by an increase in white blood cells (WBCs). A shortage of red blood cells can result in anemia (RBCs). In contrast, CBC provides baseline information about your overall health. It also detects any health conditions that may be interfering with your bodybuilding activity and food requirements.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel 14 (CMP 14)
To measure your metabolism and provide an overview of your body’s chemistry, a full metabolic panel is conducted. It consists of 14 tests aimed to assess vital organs and physiological fluids.
CMP can measure protein levels, serum glucose levels, electrolytes, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), creatinine, calcium, bilirubin, sodium, chloride, and potassium levels.
These substances should be present in quantities that are less than the typical reference range. Otherwise, you may become anxious about your health.
CMP is especially important if you’re taking medications or supplements like anabolic steroids because it determines whether these compounds are causing liver and kidney damage.
Hormone Analysis
Hormones have a huge impact on bodybuilding. Muscle growth has been proven to be aided by anabolic hormones, for example. Catabolic hormones, on the other hand, will most likely hinder the procedure.
As a result, having more anabolic hormones in your blood than catabolic hormones makes logical. As a result, the hormones listed below promote either 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 frequently a source of concern.
Pharmaceuticals were widely used in the practice because male bodybuilders want greater testosterone.
Steroids are testosterone analogues made synthetically. This hormone, which is mostly produced by the testes, encourages male characteristics such as muscle growth.
Those that use steroids or TRT to augment their resistance and strength training should see noticeable bulking.
If this is not the case, you should get your testosterone levels examined with a blood test to rule out any possible problems, such as liver or thyroid disease.
For Female Bodybuilders
Female hormones such as estrogen and progesterone may not have the same effect as testosterone. Female bodybuilders, on the other hand, must strike a good balance in order to achieve the physique they seek.
Estrogen, for example, can stimulate muscle growth and collagen production in connective tissues.
According to a study conducted by the University of California, Davis, a high estrogen level can reduce women’s strength and performance while also increasing their chance of injury.
Unlike estrogen, progesterone can boost the creation of muscle proteins. As a result, the procedure is nearly comparable to that of testosterone injection.
If there is a significant imbalance in estrogen and progesterone, other hormones such as follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH) are tested.
The brain produces these two hormones. FSH controls estrogen secretion, while LH controls progesterone secretion.
General Hormone Testing
Aside from sex steroids, blood tests are utilized to examine 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 when building muscle fibers.
With glucagon, the opposite effects occur.
Uncontrolled insulin use can lead to major complications.
Thyroid hormones, such as triiodothyronine, are another type of hormone being researched for bodybuilders (T3). Thyroid-stimulating hormone and other hormone-stimulating medications are also listed.
Your thyroid gland should be in good health when bodybuilding because it is vital for metabolism and muscular growth.
Hormone testing for their functions can provide important information regarding their condition.
In Conclusion
Bodybuilders should have blood testing at least once a year.
The bodybuilding process has a number of health benefits that can only be enhanced with continuous monitoring.
Before commencing your strenuous workout, have a Bodybuilder Profile Blood Test. This bundle of tests already includes the necessary lab testing for bodybuilders.
Tests for cortisol, insulin, T3, TPO antibodies, TSH, LH, FSH, and sex steroids testosterone, progesterone, and estradiol are also available. All of the necessary bodybuilding tests are bundled into one. All you have to do is order the blood test and you’re done.