All Fitness and Performance

“All Fitness and Performance Tests” brings every core and optional athlete blood test into one place so you can build a smart, personalized lab plan. Use these tests to understand the biology behind energy, recovery, hydration, and training adaptation. A practical approach starts with a core panel—CBC, CMP/electrolytes, lipid panel, and A1c or fasting glucose—then adds targeted markers like ferritin/iron, vitamin D, thyroid (TSH), creatine kinase (CK), hs-CRP, magnesium, and B12/folate based on your goals, season, and symptoms.

These labs support screening, diagnostic work-ups when appropriate, and monitoring, but they don’t replace a medical exam, imaging, or sports-medicine evaluation—especially if you have chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, or injury.

Signs, Situations & Related Needs

• Energy & stamina: persistent fatigue, heavy legs, slower splits, plateau

• Recovery strain: lingering soreness, frequent “post-viral” dips, poor sleep recovery

• Hydration & heat: cramps, dizziness, headaches, GI issues during long sessions or hot/humid training

• Bone & soft tissue: repeat strains, tendon pain, or stress-reaction concerns

• Women’s health & REDs: cycle changes, low energy availability, iron questions

• Training checkpoints: pre-season baseline, mid-block tune-up, post-illness return, altitude or heat camps
  Seek urgent care for red-flag symptoms (chest pain, severe shortness of breath, syncope, neurologic changes).

Why These Tests Matter

What testing can do

• Screen for modifiable factors that limit performance (iron deficiency, low vitamin D, electrolyte imbalance).

• Stratify risk for cardiometabolic health (lipids, glucose/A1c) and overuse strain (CK, hs-CRP trends).

• Monitor trends across training cycles to guide fueling, recovery, and follow-up.

What testing cannot do

• Explain every cause of fatigue or pain without clinical context.

• Replace ECG/cardiology work-ups, imaging, or sports-medicine exams when indicated.

• Guarantee performance outcomes—training, sleep, and nutrition still matter.

What These Tests Measure (at a glance)

• CBC (Complete Blood Count): red/white cells, platelets; screens for anemia or infection. Hydration and training can shift hemoglobin/hematocrit.

• Iron Studies (Ferritin, Iron, TIBC/Transferrin, % Saturation): iron stores/transport for oxygen delivery. Ferritin rises with inflammation—pair with symptoms and hs-CRP.

• CMP/Electrolytes: sodium, potassium, chloride, CO2, kidney/liver enzymes, albumin, glucose. Dehydration and hard sessions can affect values.

• Glucose Control (Fasting Glucose, A1c ± Insulin): day-to-day and 3-month glycemia; informs fueling.

• Lipids (± ApoB, Lp[a]): LDL/HDL/triglycerides; ApoB refines risk; Lp(a) is inherited.

• Thyroid (TSH ± Free T4/T3): energy, thermoregulation, mood. High-dose biotin can interfere—hold if advised.

• Vitamin D (25-OH): bone/muscle function; often low in indoor or winter training.

• Vitamin B12 & Folate: red-cell production and nerve health.

• Magnesium (± RBC Mg) & Phosphorus: muscle contraction, cramping; sweat losses matter.

• Creatine Kinase (CK): skeletal muscle breakdown; draw on rest days to avoid post-workout spikes.

• hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein): low-grade inflammation; trend over time, don’t chase single spikes.

• Optional, case-by-case: Urine albumin-creatinine (kidney stress in high-risk settings) and hormones (e.g., testosterone/estradiol) per clinician guidance.

Quick Build Guide

How the Testing Process Works

1. Pick your starting set: most begin with CBC, CMP, Lipids, A1c or Fasting Glucose, plus Ferritin/Iron and Vitamin D.

2. Add goal-based tests: TSH, CK, hs-CRP, Magnesium, B12/Folate; consider ApoB/Lp(a) for family risk.

3. Time your draw: schedule on a rest or easy day (24–48 hours after hard training); follow any fasting instructions.

4. Get results securely: most post within a few days.

5. Plan next steps: review with your clinician or sports RD to refine fueling, recovery, and follow-up.

Interpreting Results (General Guidance)

• Trends beat single values: compare to your baseline and training log.

• Context matters: recent workouts can raise CK and liver enzymes and shift electrolytes and hematocrit.

• Ferritin with context: pair with CBC and hs-CRP; inflammation can mask low stores.

• Out-of-range values need clinician review—avoid self-treating with high-dose supplements.

Choosing Panels vs. Individual Tests

• Starter core panel: CBC • CMP/Electrolytes • Lipid Panel • A1c or Fasting Glucose • Vitamin D • TSH • Ferritin/Iron

• Performance/overload focus: CK • hs-CRP • CMP/Electrolytes • Magnesium

• Cardiometabolic detail: Lipids ± ApoB, Lp(a) • A1c/Glucose (± Insulin)

• Women’s health & REDs: CBC • Ferritin/Iron • Vitamin D • B12/Folate • TSH • CMP

• Altitude/heat: CBC trend • CMP/Electrolytes • Ferritin/Iron • CK on rest days

FAQs

Do I need to fast?
Follow your order instructions. Fasting is common for lipids and glucose/insulin.

When should I schedule the blood draw?
On a rest day or at least 24–48 hours after a hard session to avoid CK and enzyme spikes.

Will supplements affect results?
Yes. Biotin can interfere with some thyroid assays; high-dose iron or vitamin D skews levels. Follow any holds on your order.

Are these anti-doping tests?
No. These labs support health and performance; anti-doping testing is handled by sport governing bodies.

How often should I repeat labs?
Common checkpoints are pre-season, mid-season, and post-season, or after illness/injury. Your clinician may tailor timing to your training load and prior results.

Should I test hormones?
Hormone testing is case-by-case. Discuss goals, symptoms, and timing with your clinician.

Related Categories & Key Tests

• Upward: Fitness & Performance Tests Hub

• Sideways: Fitness & Training Tests • Performance Tests • Blueprint Fitness • Endurance Athlete Blood Test • Strength & Power Profile • Hydration & Electrolyte Tests • Women’s Health & REDs

• Key Tests (downward): CBC • Ferritin/Iron/TIBC/TSAT • CMP/Electrolytes • Lipid Panel (± ApoB, Lp[a]) • A1c/Fasting Glucose (± Insulin) • TSH (± Free T4/T3) • Vitamin D (25-OH) • Vitamin B12 • Folate • Magnesium (± RBC Mg) • CK • hs-CRP • Urine Albumin-Creatinine

References

American College of Sports Medicine — Biomarker and athlete monitoring recommendations.
International Olympic Committee — Consensus statements on Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (REDs).
American Heart Association — Cardiometabolic risk assessment guidance.
Endocrine Society — Laboratory testing considerations (e.g., biotin interference).
British Journal of Sports Medicine — Athlete blood profiling and monitoring consensus.
National Athletic Trainers’ Association — Best practices for pre-participation and in-season screening.

Available Tests & Panels

Your All Fitness and Performance Tests menu is pre-populated in the Ulta Lab Tests system. Select a core panel, add goal-based tests, schedule your draw on a rest day, and review results with your clinician or sports dietitian to tailor training, fueling, and recovery.

Your All Fitness and Performance Tests menu is pre-populated in the Ulta Lab Tests system. Select a core panel, add goal-based tests, schedule your draw on a rest day, and review results with your clinician or sports dietitian to tailor training, fueling, and recovery

• All Fitness and Performance
• Blueprint Fitness
• Fitness & Training
• Performance

Additional information about fitness and performance lab tests may be found in the following articles.

• Lab Tests to Measure Your True Physical Fitness 
• Blueprint Fitness Endurance Athlete Blood Tests - What You Need to Know
• Fitness Assessment Lab Tests and their Benefits - What You Need to Know
• Blood Tests for Optimal Athletic Performance