MarkerX Blog

EDUCATIONAL

What Your Blood Test Results Actually Mean (And Why Your GP's 'Normal' Might Not Be Normal For You)

Standard reference ranges weren't built for athletes. Here's what 'normal' actually means on your lab report — and why it might not mean what you think.

PERFORMANCE

The 10 Blood Markers Every Serious Athlete Should Be Testing — And How Often

Most athletes test too little, too infrequently, and then do nothing with the data. Here are the 10 markers that actually matter — and the testing cadence that gives you actionable information.

EDUCATIONAL

ALT and AST Are High on Your Bloodwork — Should You Panic? (Probably Not If You Lift)

Your liver markers came back elevated. Before you panic, here's why elevated ALT and AST are almost always a muscle story — not a liver story — for athletes who train hard.

HORMONES

Testosterone Reference Ranges Were Set For Sedentary Men. Here's What Optimal Actually Looks Like.

The standard male testosterone range is 10–35 nmol/L. That's a huge window — and most of it is nowhere near optimal. Here's what the research actually says about where you want to be.

EDUCATIONAL

The Difference Between Standard, Athlete-Adjusted, and Optimal Reference Ranges

Not all reference ranges are created equal. Understanding which one you should be comparing yourself against is the first step to making your bloodwork actually useful.

PERFORMANCE

Haematocrit, Haemoglobin, and RBC: The Blood Count Markers That Tell You How Hard You Can Push

Your red blood cells are your body's oxygen delivery system. These three markers tell you how efficient that system is — and whether it's holding your performance back.

EDUCATIONAL

Why Your Creatinine Is 'High' But Your Kidneys Are Fine (The Athlete's Guide to Kidney Markers)

Your lab report flagged your creatinine as above range. Before you worry, here's why elevated creatinine in athletes almost always reflects muscle mass — not kidney stress.

VITAMINS

Vitamin D Deficiency in Athletes: Why the Standard Range Is Too Low and How to Fix It

The majority of athletes are vitamin D deficient — and the standard 'sufficient' threshold is set far below what the research shows is optimal for performance and recovery.

LIPIDS

LDL Is High — But Is It Actually a Problem? ApoB, Particle Size, and What Matters

Your LDL came back high. Before that conversation about medication, it's worth understanding what your LDL number actually tells you — and what it doesn't.

PERFORMANCE

The Bodybuilder's Guide to Bloodwork: What to Test, When to Test, and What to Do With the Results

If you take your training seriously, your bloodwork should be as structured as your programming. A comprehensive guide to building a blood testing protocol that gives you real, actionable data.