Kidney
12 markers in this category
Citrate
Urinary citrate is essential for kidney stone prevention in athletes. Intense exercise, dehydration during training, and high-protein supplementation can all reduce citrate levels and increase the risk of stone formation.
Creatinine
Creatinine is a critical kidney marker for athletes. Higher muscle mass, intense training, creatine supplementation, and high-protein diets can all raise creatinine levels, making it essential to interpret results in the context of your training regimen and body composition.
Creatinine (Urine)
Urinary creatinine is particularly relevant for athletes, as intense exercise, high muscle mass, and protein supplementation can all influence excretion levels. Understanding your baseline helps distinguish training-related changes from potential kidney concerns.
Cystatin C
Cystatin C is the preferred kidney function marker for athletes because it is not affected by muscle mass, exercise intensity, or protein supplementation. It provides a true picture of kidney health regardless of body composition or training load.
Microalbumin (Urine)
Microalbumin testing helps athletes understand kidney stress related to intense training. Exercise-induced proteinuria can temporarily elevate urine albumin levels, so understanding your baseline is important for distinguishing normal training responses from potential kidney concerns.
Oxalate
Urinary oxalate testing is important for athletes who consume high-protein diets, protein supplements, or large quantities of oxalate-rich foods. Dehydration during intense exercise can concentrate urine and increase stone risk, making hydration management and regular screening essential.
Protein (Urine)
Proteinuria testing helps athletes distinguish between exercise-induced proteinuria, which is temporary and generally benign, and persistent proteinuria that may indicate kidney stress. High-protein diets and intense training can influence results, making baseline testing valuable.
Urea (BUN)
BUN is a kidney function marker that athletes should monitor regularly. Intense exercise, high-protein diets, and protein supplementation can all elevate BUN levels. Adequate hydration during training is essential for accurate results and optimal kidney function.
Urine Culture
A urine culture supports athletes in maintaining urinary health. Dehydration during intense training can increase UTI susceptibility, and certain supplements may alter urinary pH. Culture testing ensures accurate diagnosis when symptoms arise.
Urine Screening
Urine screening helps athletes monitor hydration status, detect exercise-induced changes in kidney function, and identify potential issues from supplement use. Parameters such as specific gravity and protein levels are particularly relevant for active individuals.
Urine Sediment
Urine sediment analysis helps athletes understand the impact of intense training on kidney and urinary tract health. Exercise can temporarily alter urine composition, and microscopy can identify crystals from dehydration or supplement use, as well as exercise-induced cellular changes.
eGFR (Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate)
eGFR is essential for athletes to monitor kidney health. Intense exercise, high muscle mass, and protein supplementation can influence creatinine-based eGFR calculations, potentially underestimating true kidney function. Cystatin C-based eGFR may provide a more accurate assessment for athletes.