Athlete Blood Panel

Specialized testing for athletes focusing on performance, recovery, and longevity markers.

Performing LabsQuest Diagnostics, Access Medical Laboratories

Specimen TypeBlood

Collection LocationAt Home or Lab Visit

Fasting RequiredYes

About Athlete Blood Panel

Optimized for performance, recovery, and longevity - this comprehensive panel measures 70+ key biomarkers to help athletes and active individuals understand how their body is adapting to training, where recovery might be lagging, and where higher-performance risk may be accumulating.

What it assesses

The Athlete Panel includes an expanded set of markers that go well beyond standard sports tests - covering cardiovascular health (e.g., ApoB, Lp(a)), metabolic and insulin resistance indicators (e.g., HOMA-IR, glucose, insulin), hormone health (e.g., testosterone, free & total; SHBG; LH/FSH; estradiol), organ health (liver, kidney), nutrition & micronutrients (iron studies, B12, folate, zinc), muscle damage & recovery (e.g., creatine kinase), inflammation (hs-CRP), and even Omega-3 Index for long-term cellular and brain health.

Why this matters for athletes & high-performers

Performance optimization: By revealing where your internal systems may be under strain, you can tailor training, nutrition, and recovery to make gains more effectively.
Recovery & adaptation: Persistent fatigue, plateauing, or difficulty recovering may reflect subtle biomarker shifts - the Athlete Panel aims to catch these early.
Longevity & resilience: Athletic performance isn't just about today - it's about staying durable and healthy well into the future. This panel gives you insight into long-term risks hidden beneath the surface.
Data-driven decisions: Instead of guesswork, you get actionable data so that you can modify training loads, nutritional strategies, supplementation, and rest in a targeted way.

Who it's for

If you're an athlete, competitive or recreational; a high-performing individual balancing intense training with professional/work demands; or someone invested in both immediate gains and long-term health - this panel is designed for you.

What you'll get

A detailed report of 70+ biomarkers, each contextualised for active populations and longevity-focused norms.
Insights into where your systems are strong, where risk may be creeping in, and what interventions may help you recover faster or train smarter.
Access to support (via Instalab's concierge or physician team) to interpret results and convert them into concrete next steps.

71 Biomarkers Included

Apolipoprotein B

A protein on cholesterol-carrying particles that drive plaque buildup in the arteries, and considered a top risk factor for heart attack and stroke.

Lipoprotein(a)

A genetically determined cholesterol-carrying particle; elevated levels increase the risk of atherosclerotic heart disease.

Total Cholesterol

A lipid crucial for proper functioning of cells and carried throughout your body in particles called lipoproteins.

LDL Cholesterol

A form of cholesterol that can accumulate in artery walls; elevated levels a risk factor for heart disease.

HDL Cholesterol

The amount of cholesterol carried in a type of lipoprotein called HDL, which plays many roles, including the removal of cholesterol from your artery walls.

VLDL Cholesterol

The amount of cholesterol carried in a type of atherogenic lipoprotein called VLDL. Too much can lead to plaque buildup in your arteries and heart disease.

Triglycerides

A type of fat found that signals insulin resistance and increases risk for heart disease and pancreatitis.

High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein

A protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation and linked to increased risk of heart attack and stroke.

Homocysteine

An amino acid involved in the methionine cycle; elevations have been linked to increased risk of stroke and cognitive decline.

Uric Acid

A waste product from the breakdown of purines, which can cause gout or indicate insulin resistance.

Cortisol

A hormone released by the adrenal glands that regulates stress response, metabolism, and immune function.

Dehydroepiandrosterone Sulfate

A steroid hormone that reflects adrenal function and influences hormone balance, aging, and physical resilience.

Insulin Growth Factor 1

A hormone influenced by growth hormone that supports tissue repair, muscle maintenance, and metabolic health.

Insulin

A hormone that moves sugar into cells and controls fat storage, linked to diabetes and metabolic health.

Glucose

A sugar that fuels every cell and organ and signals early signs of diabetes when elevated.

Hemoglobin A1c

The percentage of hemoglobin with glucose attached; higher levels reflect poor blood sugar control and increased risk for diabetes.

Homeostatic Model Assessment of Insulin Resistance

An index showing how hard your body works to keep blood sugar under control and revealing early insulin resistance linked to diabetes and heart disease.

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone

A hormone that controls how much thyroid hormone your body makes and signals whether your thyroid is overactive or underactive.

Free Thyroxine

A hormone produced by the thyroid that acts as your body’s metabolic reserve, waiting to be converted into its active form (T3) when needed.

Vitamin D (25-hydroxy)

A fat-soluble vitamin that helps regulate calcium levels and supports bone, immune, heart, and brain health.

Vitamin B12

A water-soluble vitamin essential for red blood cell production, nerve protection, and DNA repair.

Vitamin B9

A water-soluble vitamin that fuels DNA production and cell repair, helping support heart health and prevent anemia.

Zinc

A mineral essential for immune defense, tissue repair, and healthy cell function—low levels can affect immunity, cognition, and recovery.

Total Iron

A mineral that powers oxygen transport, brain function, and energy, with deficiency and overload both linked to serious health risks.

Transferrin Saturation

The percentage of transferrin, a blood protein that binds and transports iron, that is actually carrying iron. Elevated levels are a sign of too much iron in the blood or iron overload. Too low levels serve as a sensitive screening test for iron deficiency anemia.

Total Iron Binding Capacity

A measure of your body's ability to hold and transport iron.

Ferritin

A protein that stores iron in the body and helps assess iron levels, with abnormal values linked to deficiency, overload, or inflammation.

Omega-3 Index

The level of EPA and DHA in your red blood cell membranes, which indicate long-term omega-3 levels linked to heart and brain health.

Total Testosterone

A hormone involved in muscle maintenance, libido, mood, red blood cell production, and metabolic function.

Free Testosterone

The active form of testosterone calculated by the Vermeulen method to reflect how much your body can actually use.

Sex Hormone Binding Globulin

A protein that binds and stores testosterone and estrogen until it is required by the body.

Luteinizing Hormone

A hormone that stimulates ovaries to help produce progesterone in women and testes to help produce testosterone in men.

Follicle-Stimulating Hormone

A hormone that helps stimulate egg production in women and sperm production in men.

Estradiol

A hormone that supports bone health, reproduction, and metabolic regulation—abnormal levels may indicate endocrine disruption.

Albumin

A protein that maintains fluid balance and carries hormones, vitamins, and drugs through your bloodstream.

Alkaline Phosphatase

An enzyme important for many processes in your liver and bones; high levels can indicate disease in these areas.

Alanine Aminotransferase

An enzyme released from liver cells that reveals early signs of liver stress, inflammation, or damage.

Aspartate Aminotransferase

An enzyme involved in amino acid metabolism that signals liver or heart damage when released into the bloodstream.

Total Bilirubin

A byproduct of the breakdown of blood cells that reflects liver processing and signals risks for liver disease, bile duct problems, and red blood cell breakdown.

Direct Bilirubin

A water-soluble substance that reflects how well the liver processes waste and signals liver or bile duct problems.

Total Protein

A combined level of all proteins in the blood, used to assess nutritional status, liver function, and chronic inflammation.

Gamma Glutamyl Transferase

An enzyme that breaks down toxins and signals liver stress or bile duct issues.

Blood Urea Nitrogen

A nitrogen-rich waste product that reflects kidney function and hydration status.

Creatinine

A breakdown product of creatine phosphate in the muscle and typically filtered out by the kidneys.

Cystatin C

A protein filtered by the kidneys that provides a more accurate read on kidney health than creatinine.

eGFR

An estimated measure of your kidneys' efficiency in filtering waste from the bloodstream.

Calcium

A mineral that supports bones, muscles, and nerves while signaling risks of kidney, parathyroid, or bone disorders.

Chloride

An electrolyte that plays a critical role in maintaining your body's salt-water balance.

Sodium

An electrolyte that regulates fluid balance, mineral balance, and blood pressure in your body.

Potassium

A mineral that powers cells, supports heart rhythm, and protects against high blood pressure and stroke.

Bicarbonate

An electrolyte used by the body to help neutralize excess acids in your blood and maintain pH balance.

WBC Count

The frontline defenders of your immune system, helping your body fight off harmful substances and infections.

Neutrophil Count

A type of white blood cell that plays a critical role in the body's defense against infection.

Lymphocyte Count

A type of white blood cell that destroys cancer cells, produces antibodies, and directly attacks abnormal cells.

Basophil Count

A rare type of white blood cell that plays a critical role in immune surveillance and allergic reactions.

Monocyte Count

A type of white blood cell that removes damaged tissues, destroys cancer cells, and defends against foreign substances.

Eosinophil Count

A type of white blood cell that defends your body against parasites and allergies, but also cause of organ damage in high numbers.

RBC Count

The number of red blood cells in a test sample. An abnormal level can be a result of anemia or clotting disorders.

Hemoglobin

A protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen and signals anemia when levels are low.

Hematocrit

Proportion of blood made up of red blood cells, reflecting oxygen-carrying capacity and blood thickness.

Mean Corpuscular Volume

A measure of red blood cell size that helps identify causes of anemia and signals broader health risks.

MCH

The average amount of hemoglobin inside your red blood cells, which is essential for carrying oxygen throughout the body.

MCHC

The average concentration of hemoglobin in your red blood cells, which is crucial for carrying oxygen and other bodily functions.

RDW

A measure of the variation in size of red blood cells, which can impact their ability to deliver oxygen.

Platelet Count

Small blood cells that help the body to stop bleeding by forming blood clots when necessary.

Total PSA

A protein produced by both normal and malignant cells of the prostate gland.

Mercury

A toxic heavy metal that disrupts the brain, nerves, and kidneys, especially from fish, vapors, and industrial sources.

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibody

An antibody that targets thyroid peroxidase, which helps regulate thyroid hormone production.

Free Triiodothyronine

A thyroid hormone that reflects how much active energy-regulating hormone is available to your cells.

Total Globulin

A key group of proteins essential for immune function, nutrient transport, and blood clotting.

Creatine Kinase

An enzyme found in muscle cells and the brain that plays an important role in energy metabolism.