InsideTracker Endurance blood test - 7 blood values

InsideTracker gives members an Endurance score from 0 to 100, calculated from a fixed set of blood values. If you search for InsideTracker in the Netherlands, you usually want those values measured without a membership and without shipping a sample to the United States.

This blood test is that alternative: the same blood values behind the Endurance category, drawn at a certified Dutch lab and returned digitally in your account, with an assessment by a BIG-registered doctor.

This panel may suit endurance athletes and active people who want to track their oxygen transport. It can be relevant for:

• Runners, cyclists and triathletes who want to follow their ferritin
• Athletes with an unexplained drop in performance
• Vegetarians and vegans who want to check their iron, B12 and folate
• People who want the InsideTracker Endurance category measured in the Netherlands

This panel measures 7 blood values, of which the blood count itself contains dozens of underlying values:

• Blood count: a Complete Blood Count including hemoglobin, hematocrit and your red cell indices.
• Iron status: Ferritin, Iron, Transferrin and Transferrin Saturation, calculated at no extra draw.
• Vitamins for blood production: Vitamin B12 and Folate.

The results show how your red blood cells, your complete iron status and your B vitamins compare to the reference ranges. For endurance athletes, that is the chain that carries oxygen to your muscles: a shrinking iron store shows first in your ferritin, long before your hemoglobin drops.

If you would rather see how your body absorbs training load, our InsideTracker Recovery blood test is a better fit. The full InsideTracker blood test measures 36 blood values in one go. Keep in mind that a single value is not a diagnosis.

For this blood test, a staff member draws a small tube of blood at a certified location. You can choose from 700+ collection sites, so there is almost always a location near you.

You only need your appointment confirmation and a valid ID. The draw usually takes just a few minutes.

Some endurance athletes choose to measure these values:

• When they want a baseline at the start of a training block
• When their pace or recovery drops without a clear reason
• When they want to follow their iron status around marathon or race preparation
• When they eat plant-based and want to check their B12 and iron

What the results mean depends on your personal situation and training load. Endurance athletes often run somewhat lower ferritin values; that is exactly why the pattern across several measurements is informative.

Always discuss any deviating values with your GP, so you know what the results may mean for you personally.

Preferably plan a morning draw: your serum iron fluctuates through the day, and a morning draw makes measurements most comparable. Strict fasting is not required.

Avoid extremely heavy training the day before the draw and drink enough water. If in doubt, discuss your situation with your GP.

You receive your results digitally in your account, usually within a few working days. For each value, you can see whether it falls within the reference range.

Every blood test result includes a professional assessment from a BIG-registered doctor. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.