InsideTracker Fitness blood test - 7 blood values

InsideTracker gives members a Fitness 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 7 blood values behind the Fitness 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 athletes who want to follow the hormonal side of their training. It can be relevant for:

• Strength athletes who want to know their testosterone and free testosterone
• People with reduced energy or libido who want an objective starting point, alongside their GP's advice
• Athletes who suspect overtraining and want to see their cortisol
• People who want the InsideTracker Fitness category measured in the Netherlands

This panel measures 7 blood values:

• Hormones: Total Testosterone, Free Testosterone (calculated, no extra draw), SHBG and DHEA-S.
• Stress: Cortisol, the counterpart of your anabolic hormones.
• Vitamins: Vitamin B12 and Folate.

The results show how your anabolic hormones and your stress hormone compare to the reference ranges. The combination is informative: a normal total testosterone with a high SHBG can still mean a low free testosterone, and that is the fraction your body can actually use.

If you want the complete hormonal picture including estradiol, progesterone and thyroid, our InsideTracker Hormone Balance blood test measures 12 values. 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 athletes choose to measure these values:

• When they want a baseline before starting a new strength block
• When their progress stalls despite consistent training and nutrition
• When they want to see whether stress shows up in their cortisol
• When they want to repeat their US InsideTracker measurement in the Netherlands

What the results mean depends on your personal situation, your age and your sex. Hormone values also fluctuate through the day, so the draw moment matters.

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

Plan a morning draw, preferably between 7 and 10 am: your testosterone and cortisol peak then, and the reference ranges are based on morning draws. Strict fasting is not required, but it makes measurements more comparable.

Avoid extremely heavy training the evening before and sleep enough. 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.