Goals and conditions · Health goal
Training recovery and energy availability
Blood tests that sports medicine studies and consensus statements use when training fatigue, overreaching or low energy availability is suspected.
Biomarkers
Start with the primary markers, then add the companions that change how the primary result reads. Each link cites its source.
FerritinPrimary marker
Also: Iron Saturation
The ECSS and ACSM consensus lists iron deficiency among the causes to exclude before diagnosing overtraining syndrome.
Tests: Labcorp 12, Quest Diagnostics 3, with ranges on the biomarker page
Triiodothyronine (T3), FreePrimary marker
Also: Triiodothyronine (T3)
A 2024 review of REDs diagnosis found T3 among the biomarkers studies use most often, alongside bone density and body composition.
Tests: Labcorp 1, Quest Diagnostics 1
CortisolCompanion marker
A review of male cyclists with low energy availability reports elevated cortisol and reduced testosterone.
Tests: Labcorp 18, Quest Diagnostics 13
Creatine Kinase, TotalCompanion marker
Strenuous exercise that damages skeletal muscle raises total CK for about a day before it returns toward baseline with rest.
Tests: Labcorp 4, Quest Diagnostics 3
Creatine kinase monitoring in sport medicine, British Medical Bulletin, 2007
TestosteroneCompanion marker
Also: Testosterone, Free
A review of male cyclists with low energy availability reports reduced testosterone and elevated cortisol.
Tests: Labcorp 21, Quest Diagnostics 13, with ranges on the biomarker page
Related
Sources
Journal study
Consensus statement
Creatine kinase monitoring in sport medicine, British Medical Bulletin, 2007
Journal study
Journal study
We list which biomarkers a named source connects to this goal; we do not diagnose it. Interpret your own results with a licensed clinician, or track them in Aumnivida.