Health Assessment Report
ExamplePerformance panel · 10 biomarkers
Patient details
- Name
- Daan Willems
- Gender
- Male
- Age
- 33 years
- Date of birth
- 17-05-1992
Test details
- Test Date
- 16-06-2026
- Report date
- 19-06-2026
- Location
- Amsterdam Noord
- Laboratory
- Star-SHL
10
Total Markers
8
In Range
2
Needs Attention
Overall Assessment
This is a strong profile. Testosterone, IGF-1, HbA1c and fasting insulin all sit in the upper part of their range or comfortably within it, consistent with steady training and good metabolic conditioning.
Two values need attention: your hsCRP is slightly raised and your ferritin is low. In an athlete at your training volume those two often travel together and are rarely a sign of disease — but they do determine whether you keep progressing or stall.
Key Findings
hsCRP slightly raised (3.9 mg/L)
AttentionAbove the 3.0 limit. In an athlete the most likely explanation is a hard training stimulus in the days before the draw. hsCRP rises after intense exercise and settles within a few days.
Ferritin low (24 µg/L)
AttentionBelow the 30 lower limit. Endurance athletes lose iron through sweat, foot-strike haemolysis and the gut. Below a ferritin of 30, oxygen transport measurably declines even while hemoglobin is still normal.
Metabolic conditioning is excellent
GoodHbA1c 32 mmol/mol and fasting insulin 4.1 mU/L. This combination indicates high insulin sensitivity and is better than the average 33-year-old's.
Testosterone and IGF-1 in the upper part of their range
GoodTestosterone 22.4 nmol/L and IGF-1 28.6 nmol/L. There is no hormonal indication of overtraining or insufficient recovery.
Detailed Analysis
Hormones
NormalTestosterone 22.4 nmol/L and IGF-1 28.6 nmol/L. Both sit in the upper part of their reference range.
This is the pattern you want under heavy training: a falling testosterone or IGF-1 is one of the first hormonal signals of chronically insufficient recovery. There is no sign of that here.
Metabolic
NormalYour HbA1c is 32 mmol/mol, reflecting an average blood glucose over the past two to three months well below the upper limit. Your fasting insulin of 4.1 mU/L is low-normal.
A low HbA1c combined with a low fasting insulin indicates high insulin sensitivity. That is precisely what training acts on.
Inflammation
AttentionYour hsCRP is 3.9 mg/L, above the 3.0 limit. This test measures low-grade inflammation and is sensitive enough to pick up a single hard training session.
A single raised value in an athlete is therefore often training-related. If it stays raised after a few days of rest, it warrants further investigation.
Minerals
AttentionYour ferritin is 24 µg/L, below the lower limit of 30. For the general population 20 is often used as the floor, but 30 applies to endurance athletes because performance starts to suffer below that.
Your hemoglobin of 9.1 mmol/L is still normal. That is the usual picture: the store runs down before transport is affected.
Liver
NormalYour ALT is 41 U/L, just within range. In strength athletes a mildly raised ALT is often of muscle rather than liver origin; a CK measurement distinguishes the two when in doubt.
Recommendations
Repeat hsCRP after three rest days
Schedule the repeat after at least three days without intense training. If the value normalises it was training-related. If it stays above 3.0, discuss it with your GP.
Get ferritin above 40
Raise iron intake through diet and combine it with vitamin C. Do not take an iron supplement without advice: with a normal ferritin, supplementing does more harm than good, and in endurance athletes the cause of the loss is usually investigated first.
Retest after eight to twelve weeks
Ferritin responds slowly. Retest ferritin and hemoglobin after eight to twelve weeks, at a point with a comparable training load to now.
Next Steps
Schedule the hsCRP repeat after a short rest period and the ferritin check in eight to twelve weeks. Keep the training load around the draw comparable, or you will be comparing two different situations.
Contact your GP if the hsCRP stays raised, or if fatigue persists despite a normal ferritin. This report does not replace a consultation.
Your Test Results
Hematology
1What It Measures
Haemoglobin (Hb) is the iron-containing protein in your red blood cells that binds oxygen. It picks up oxygen in your lungs, carries it around your body, and takes carbon dioxide back on the return trip. This test measures how much haemoglobin is present per litre of blood. In the Netherlands the result is usually reported in mmol/l; internationally g/dl is more common. The value is measured as standard within the complete blood count. Because almost all the oxygen in your blood is bound to haemoglobin, this value tells you directly how much oxygen your blood can carry. Your doctor will therefore almost always assess haemoglobin together with haematocrit, the red cell count and MCV.
Lifestyle Tips
Dietary iron is the foundation: red meat, legumes, wholegrain products and dark leafy greens. Vitamin C with a meal improves the absorption of plant-based iron, while coffee and tea inhibit it. Do not start iron supplements on your own initiative. Supplementing without a demonstrated deficiency is not useful and too much iron can be harmful; have your ferritin measured first. Drink enough before a blood draw: dehydration concentrates your blood and can artificially raise the result. A persistently low or high value should always be investigated by a doctor, because the underlying cause matters more than the number itself.
Hormones
2What It Measures
This test measures the total amount of testosterone in your blood, reported in nmol/l. It includes both testosterone bound to proteins like SHBG and albumin, and the small fraction of free, unbound testosterone available for immediate use.
Lifestyle Tips
Regular resistance training, adequate sleep, stress management, and a balanced diet with sufficient zinc and vitamin D may support healthy testosterone levels. Limiting alcohol consumption could also be beneficial. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.
What It Measures
This test measures the concentration of IGF-1 in your blood. IGF-1 is produced primarily in the liver in response to growth hormone stimulation and mediates many of the growth-promoting effects of growth hormone throughout the body.
Lifestyle Tips
Adequate sleep, regular physical activity, and balanced nutrition may support healthy IGF-1 levels. Strength training and sufficient protein intake are often associated with optimal growth factor activity. Consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.
Inflammation
1What It Measures
This test uses a highly sensitive assay to detect low concentrations of CRP that standard CRP tests cannot measure. It reflects subtle, chronic inflammation associated with vascular health.
When Levels Are High
Elevated hs-CRP may not cause direct symptoms but indicates chronic low-grade inflammation that may contribute to cardiovascular disease over time.
Lifestyle Tips
Regular exercise, a Mediterranean-style diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and not smoking may help lower hs-CRP levels. Stress management and adequate sleep also contribute to reducing chronic inflammation.
Kidney
1What It Measures
eGFR estimates the volume of blood that your kidneys filter per minute, expressed in millilitres per minute per 1.73 square metres of body surface area. It is calculated using blood <a href="/en/biomarkers/creatinine">creatinine</a> or cystatin C levels, combined with factors such as age and sex. A normal eGFR is generally above 90 mL/min. Values between 60 and 89 may indicate mildly reduced function, 30 to 59 suggests moderate impairment, 15 to 29 indicates severe reduction, and below 15 may indicate kidney failure. You can estimate your own value with our <a href="/en/tools/kidney-function-calculator">kidney function calculator</a>.
Lifestyle Tips
Protect your kidney function by managing blood pressure and blood sugar levels within healthy ranges. Stay well hydrated and maintain a balanced diet that is not excessively high in sodium or protein. Engage in regular physical activity, maintain a healthy weight, and avoid smoking. Limit the use of over-the-counter pain medications, particularly NSAIDs, which can damage the kidneys over time. Always discuss medication use with your healthcare provider.
Liver
1What It Measures
ALT is an enzyme found predominantly in liver cells. When liver cells are damaged or inflamed, ALT is released into the bloodstream, causing levels to rise. This test measures the concentration of ALT in your blood. Because ALT is more specific to the liver than other enzymes like AST, it is considered one of the most reliable markers of liver health.
Lifestyle Tips
Limit alcohol consumption, as excessive intake is a common cause of elevated ALT levels. Maintain a healthy weight through balanced nutrition and regular exercise, as non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is increasingly common. Review all medications and supplements with your healthcare provider, as some may affect liver function. Stay well hydrated and include liver-supportive foods such as leafy greens, cruciferous vegetables, and foods rich in antioxidants.
Metabolic
2What It Measures
This test measures the percentage of haemoglobin in red blood cells that has glucose attached to it. Higher percentages indicate higher average blood sugar over the preceding months.
Lifestyle Tips
Consistent carbohydrate management, regular physical activity, maintaining a healthy weight, and managing stress are key to keeping HbA1c within a healthy range. Small, sustained changes are more effective than drastic diets.
What It Measures
This test measures baseline insulin levels in a fasting state. Elevated fasting insulin often precedes elevated fasting glucose, making it an early indicator of metabolic dysfunction.
Lifestyle Tips
Regular exercise, especially resistance training and aerobic activity, can improve insulin sensitivity. Reduce refined carbohydrates, prioritise protein and fibre, and maintain a healthy weight.
Minerals
1What It Measures
This test measures the amount of ferritin in your blood. Low ferritin indicates depleted iron stores, while high ferritin may suggest iron overload or inflammation.
When Levels Are Low
Symptoms of low ferritin may include fatigue, weakness, pale skin, brittle nails, hair loss, headaches, and difficulty concentrating. Low ferritin can precede iron-deficiency anaemia.
Lifestyle Tips
Include iron-rich foods such as lean red meat, poultry, fish, beans, and fortified cereals. Pair iron-rich foods with vitamin C sources to enhance absorption. Avoid drinking tea or coffee with meals, as they can reduce iron absorption.
Vitamins
1What It Measures
This test measures the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D in your blood, which is the main circulating form of vitamin D and the most reliable indicator of your overall vitamin D status.
Lifestyle Tips
Aim for regular, safe sun exposure of around 15–20 minutes daily when possible. Include vitamin D-rich foods such as fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified dairy products. Consider supplementation during winter months after consulting your healthcare provider.
Assessed by a BIG-registered doctor
This report was prepared by a BIG-registered doctor. It does not replace a personal medical consultation. Always consult your general practitioner if you have questions.