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Clinic appointment

Sports Performance Check

A wide performance panel combining a full blood count, general blood chemistry, iron stores, inflammation, omega fatty acid balance, a seven-mineral screen and two B vitamins.

  • Doctor-reviewed results
  • Laboratory analysis
  • 3 to 5 working days from lab receipt
  • Fasting preferred
Sports Performance Check, clinic sample tubes

What’s included

Included tests listed below

All items are shown below, grouped by area. You can collapse a group as you read.

Full blood count
  • Full blood count

    Measures how many blood cells you have. It is a common blood test, used to look for blood problems such as iron deficiency anaemia.

Inflammation & clotting
  • ESR

    Erythrocyte sedimentation rate, a blood marker of inflammation often requested alongside CRP. In someone with suspected polymyalgia rheumatica, a raised level supports the diagnosis, although the condition can still be diagnosed when inflammatory markers are normal.

  • C-reactive protein

    C-reactive protein (CRP) is a blood test used to check the level of inflammation in the body. A raised level shows inflammation is present but not its cause, because inflammation is a feature of many conditions. It is often checked alongside ESR, another inflammation test.

Kidney & salt balance
  • Sodium

    One of the body's electrolytes, the salts and minerals in the blood that help carry electrical signals. It is checked in an electrolyte test to look for an imbalance, for example in people taking diuretics or ACE inhibitors for high blood pressure.

  • Potassium

    A mineral held mostly inside the body's cells. Small shifts in its level affect how muscles contract, including the heart, and it is vital for the heart's electrical signals and for fluid balance. The kidneys are the main route by which the body gets rid of potassium.

  • Chloride

    One of the electrolytes, the salts and minerals in the blood (along with sodium, potassium and bicarbonate) that help conduct electrical impulses in the body. It is measured in an electrolyte panel, which can show whether salts, or acid and base, are out of balance.

  • Bicarbonate

    Part of the system that keeps your blood from becoming too acidic or too alkaline. Read alongside the other salts rather than on its own.

  • Urea

    Urea is checked together with sodium, potassium and creatinine to assess how well the kidneys are working and the body's fluid balance.

  • Creatinine

    A waste product measured in the blood as the main test for kidney disease. Combined with age and sex, it is used to work out eGFR, an estimate of how much the kidneys can filter each minute. A lower eGFR can point to chronic kidney disease.

  • eGFR

    eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate) is an estimate of how well your kidneys filter waste from the blood. It is calculated from the level of creatinine, a waste product, in your blood, together with your age and sex. A lower rate can be a sign of chronic kidney disease.

Liver
  • Bilirubin

    A breakdown product of haem from red blood cells, which the liver processes so it can be passed out in bile. A raised level can come from extra red blood cell breakdown, liver disease or a blocked bile duct, and can lead to jaundice.

  • Alkaline phosphatase

    Alkaline phosphatase, one of the standard liver function tests. A raised level, especially with a raised GGT, suggests a problem with bile flow (cholestasis), such as a blocked bile duct. Bone disease and low vitamin D can also raise it.

  • AST

    Aspartate transaminase, a liver test read together with ALT. A pattern where AST and ALT are the main raised liver tests points to liver cell damage, for example from viral hepatitis, fatty liver disease, alcohol or medicines. The balance between AST and ALT gives clues to the cause.

  • ALT

    Alanine aminotransferase (ALT) is one of the standard liver blood tests. A raised level mainly points to injury to liver cells, which can be caused by viral hepatitis, fatty liver disease, alcohol, autoimmune hepatitis or some medicines. Its pattern alongside the other liver tests helps show the likely type of liver problem.

  • Gamma GT

    A liver enzyme that is more sensitive than ALT or AST to alcohol, some medicines and fatty change in the liver.

  • Total protein

    Measures the total amount of protein in the blood. A low level can point to a liver or kidney problem, or to protein not being digested or absorbed well; a high level can reflect dehydration or a cancer such as multiple myeloma. Further tests show which proteins are out of range.

  • Albumin

    The main protein your liver makes. It is a useful marker of the liver's longer-term output.

  • Globulin

    Serum globulins, a group of blood proteins. Levels can rise in long-term liver inflammation (chronic hepatitis) and in cirrhosis.

Bone & minerals
  • Calcium

    A mineral that helps build bones and keep teeth healthy, controls how muscles contract (including the heartbeat) and helps blood to clot normally.

  • Phosphate

    Measures phosphate, a chemical containing the mineral phosphorus. The body needs it to make energy, for muscles and nerves to work, and for bones to grow. It is checked in malnutrition, diabetic ketoacidosis and digestive conditions that affect absorption, and is monitored closely in chronic kidney disease.

  • Uric acid

    A raised uric acid level (hyperuricaemia) is the most important risk factor for gout, where urate crystals form in and around joints. Levels are more likely to be high with kidney disease, some medicines such as diuretics, excess weight, and a diet high in alcohol, sugary drinks, meat or seafood.

  • Magnesium

    A mineral involved in muscle and nerve function and in releasing energy from food.

Diabetes
  • Glucose

    Measures the amount of sugar (glucose) in your blood when the sample is taken. It may be done after not eating for a few hours (a fasting test) or at other times, and the result is judged differently depending on when you last ate. A high level is mainly seen in diabetes.

Cholesterol
  • Triglycerides

    A type of blood fat measured in a standard lipid profile, which does not usually need a fasting sample. A high level is one form of lipid imbalance and is a risk factor for heart and circulatory disease in its own right.

  • Total cholesterol

    The total amount of cholesterol carried in your blood. The result can be split into HDL (good) cholesterol and non-HDL cholesterol, and doctors use it with things like age and blood pressure to estimate the risk of heart and circulation problems.

  • HDL cholesterol

    HDL cholesterol is part of a standard cholesterol (lipid) profile. It works against the build-up of fatty plaque in artery walls, so higher levels are linked with a lower risk of heart and circulation disease. A low HDL level is one form of unhealthy blood fat balance (dyslipidaemia).

  • LDL cholesterol

    LDL cholesterol is usually calculated from the other results in a standard cholesterol profile. It plays a major part in fatty plaque building up in artery walls, so a raised level increases the risk of conditions such as heart attack and stroke. It has long been the main target of cholesterol-lowering treatment.

Iron studies
  • Iron

    The amount of iron in your blood. Total iron-binding capacity (TIBC) reflects the blood's ability to bind and carry iron, and relates to the amount of transferrin, a protein made by the liver. In iron deficiency anaemia, iron is low and TIBC high. With too much iron, as in haemochromatosis, iron is high and TIBC low or normal.

  • Ferritin

    Your stored iron, the reserve tank. Stores usually fall first, so ferritin can show low iron while the blood count still looks normal. Inflammation can push it up, which is why ESR or CRP is useful alongside.

Fatty acids
  • Omega-3 / omega-6 balance

    The balance of omega-3 and omega-6 fats measured inside your red blood cells.

Trace elements
  • Zinc

    An essential mineral for immunity, wound healing and many enzymes. Low levels can follow poor absorption, some medicines or heavy alcohol use.

  • Copper

    Copper is a mineral the body uses to make red and white blood cells and to release iron to form haemoglobin, which carries oxygen. Most people get all they need from their diet. Long-term high doses can damage the liver and kidneys.

  • Chromium

    A trace element measured here alongside other minerals. Levels are read in the context of your diet, supplements and any exposure.

  • Manganese

    A trace element that helps make and activate some enzymes. It is harmful in excess.

Vitamins
  • Red-cell folate

    Folate measured inside red blood cells. It may be checked when folate deficiency is strongly suspected but the standard blood folate level is normal, once vitamin B12 deficiency has been ruled out. A low result fits with folate deficiency if B12 is not also low.

  • Active vitamin B12

    The part of your vitamin B12 that your cells can actually use. B12 supports nerves and red blood cells. UK guidance accepts either active or total B12 as a first test, and recent supplements or injections can raise the result without fully treating a deficiency.

Overview

A wide panel built for people training seriously who want a measured baseline rather than a guess: full blood count, inflammation, iron and ferritin, B12 and folate, cholesterol, the omega-3 to omega-6 balance, and seven minerals and trace elements. The common reasons are a training block that has stopped producing progress, unusual fatigue during heavy volume, or wanting a set of numbers before a season to compare against later.

Gathers the markers most relevant to training load, recovery and nutrition in one draw, so a doctor can talk through iron stores, inflammation and mineral or vitamin levels together rather than one at a time.

Who this is for and who it isn’t

Who it’s for

  • Adults aged 18 and over
  • People training hard who want iron, B12, folate, minerals and inflammation checked together
  • Anyone whose performance or recovery has dropped without a clear reason

Who it isn’t for

  • It is a nutritional and general-health baseline, not a performance prediction, and no result here tells you what your training should be. It does not include testosterone, cortisol or the other hormones sometimes discussed in a sports context. Any result is read alongside your training load and diet by a doctor, rather than against a target figure found online.
  • Anyone with a new, severe or worsening symptom: contact your GP or call NHS 111. A test you buy today is not a substitute for being examined.

Common reasons people choose this test

  • Training hard but recovering more slowly than usual
  • Unexplained drop in performance or endurance
  • Wanting nutrient and iron levels checked during a heavy training block
  • Following a restricted or plant-based diet while training
  • Wanting a pre-season baseline to compare against later

These are reasons people choose to test, not signs that something is wrong. A result is one part of a picture your doctor puts together with your history and an examination.

What your result looks like

Every result is shown with the unit and the reference range exactly as the laboratory reported it, with the doctor’s note underneath.

Example reportIllustrative, not a real result
  • Haemoglobin▼ Low
    Result
    108 g/L
    Range
    120–150 / 130–170
  • ESRIn range
    Result
    8 mm/hr
    Range
    <20
  • SodiumIn range
    Result
    140 mmol/L
    Range
    133–146

Doctor’s note (example)

Haemoglobin is a little below the range and the red cells are on the small side, which most often points to low iron. I would check ferritin next; this is common and usually straightforward to put right.

…and 33 more markers. Ranges shown as women / men. Values above are examples. Your report shows your own results with the laboratory’s units and reference range for your age and sex, reviewed, signed and released by a GMC-registered doctor.

How it works

  1. You book your appointmentA trained clinician takes your sample at one of our London clinics. Nothing to do at home.
  2. The clinician takes your sampleA single clinic blood draw by a trained clinician
  3. The laboratory analyses itYour sample is processed for the measurements included in this test. Lab processing typically takes 3 to 5 working days from receipt of your sample.
  4. A doctor reviews and releases itA GMC-registered doctor reads every result and signs the report before it reaches you.
Sample
Clinic blood draw
Preparation
Fasting preferred
Who it's for
Any sex · ages 18+

How to prepare

A fasted sample is preferred for this test, which usually means nothing but water overnight. It is not essential, and the reviewing doctor takes it into account if you have eaten. If you can, book a morning slot and come before breakfast.

What we can and can’t tell you

The reference range beside each result is the laboratory’s own. A result in range is not a clean bill of health and a result outside it is not a diagnosis. Most ranges cover about 95% of healthy people, so about 1 in 20 healthy people fall just outside any one range. No test result replaces an examination or your own doctor’s judgement, and none of these panels is a cancer screening programme.

Read the full note

The reference range printed beside each of your results is the laboratory's own, and it is the range that applies to your result. We do not apply a second range of our own, and we do not tell you that a result the laboratory reported as normal is nonetheless too low or too high. If you see a claim elsewhere that your result ought to sit inside a narrower band than the one the laboratory printed, treat it with caution and ask your doctor.

Some assays cannot give an exact figure above or below a certain point, and those results are reported the way the laboratory sends them, for example as a value greater than a stated number. A result in range is not a clean bill of health, and a result outside a range is not a diagnosis: most reference ranges are set to cover about 95% of healthy people, so some healthy people fall just outside them. No blood test replaces an examination, a scan or your own doctor's judgement, and none of these panels is a screening programme for cancer.

If you have a symptom that is new, severe, or getting worse, contact your GP or NHS 111 rather than waiting for a test result. In an emergency call 999.

Frequently asked questions

Should I test after a hard session?

Hard exercise in the previous day or two can affect some blood results, so a rested day gives a more representative picture, and the reviewing doctor takes recent training into account if you mention it.

Does this show whether a supplement is working?

It shows your level on the day of the test. Whether that reflects your supplement, your diet or your training is a judgement your doctor makes with you, and we do not recommend or sell supplements.

How long do results take?

The laboratory typically takes 3 to 5 working days from receiving your sample. This does not include kit delivery, sample collection or return postage. A doctor reviews your results before they are released.

Can I choose a home kit or a clinic?

This test is a clinic blood draw, as it needs a venous sample for accuracy. We arrange a convenient appointment for you.

Is a doctor involved?

Yes. Every result is reviewed by a GMC-registered doctor who signs it off and explains what it means and what to do next.

Is it confidential?

Your results are available through your secure patient portal. Our privacy policy explains how your information is handled and when it may be shared to provide your care.

Do I need to fast?

A fasted sample is preferred for this test, which usually means nothing but water overnight. It is not essential, and the reviewing doctor takes it into account if you have eaten. If you can, book a morning slot and come before breakfast.

What happens to my sample and results?

Your sample is analysed at a UKAS-accredited laboratory (ISO 15189). A GMC-registered doctor then reads every result and signs the report before it is released, so nothing reaches you unreviewed. There is no option to receive results without a doctor reading them first. The report arrives in your secure portal in plain English: each result with its unit and the laboratory's own reference range, and the doctor's note on what the set means read together. If a result sits outside its range the report says so and explains what usually happens next, which is most often a conversation with your own GP, who can act on it alongside your history and examination. Most reference ranges are set to cover about 95% of healthy people, so about 1 in 20 healthy people fall just outside any one of them. On a report with many results it is common for one to sit just outside its range, and a single number on its own rarely tells the whole story. If a result needs urgent attention, the reviewing doctor is alerted straight away and we contact you by phone the same working day rather than leaving it in the portal for you to find. If a specific result needs rechecking, the reviewing doctor says so in your report.

Doctor-reviewed results
In plain English, signed by a GMC-registered doctor
Laboratory testing
Read each test’s coverage and limitations
No GP referral
Order directly, no waiting list
Private & discreet
Secure results, your own private portal

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