Sports Blood Tests | Athlete Performance Testing | Epicentre
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Sports Performance Blood Testing

Iron, vitamin D, hormones, recovery markers, organ function. The difference between good and great is often in your blood work. Find your limiters. Fix them. Repeat.

Reviewed by Dr. Samantha Naidoo, MB ChB, FCP (SA) · Medical Director
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4.7/5 Google RatingNo doctor's referralResults in 2 – 5 daysMorning appointments available

Who Is This Page For?

Endurance athletes

Runners, cyclists, triathletes, swimmers

Strength athletes

Bodybuilders, powerlifters, CrossFit

Team sports

Rugby, football, hockey, netball

Active lifestyle

Gym-goers, recreational athletes

Fatigue, slow recovery, frequent illness and performance plateaus are often caused by nutrient deficiencies, hormonal imbalances or chronic inflammation that do not show symptoms until performance drops. Blood testing identifies the problem before it costs you a race, a season or a goal.

What Blood Tests Reveal

Energy and oxygen

Iron, ferritin, B12, FBC, glucose. Low ferritin = fatigue before anaemia shows.

Recovery and adaptation

Vitamin D, magnesium, CK (muscle damage), CRP (inflammation).

Hormonal balance

Testosterone, cortisol, TSH, DHEA-S. Cortisol:testosterone ratio flags overtraining.

Inflammation and immunity

CRP, WBC, ferritin, vitamin D. Chronic low-grade inflammation impairs recovery.

Common findings in athletes: iron deficiency without anaemia (ferritin drops before haemoglobin), vitamin D insufficiency (affects muscle function and immunity), cortisol:testosterone imbalance (overtraining), chronic low-grade inflammation (elevated CRP), and subclinical thyroid dysfunction (subtle TSH changes affecting metabolism).

Sports Performance Packages

Endurance

Runner's Performance and Recovery Panel

Complete endurance panel: iron studies, B12, vitamin D, magnesium, electrolytes and metabolic markers. Designed for runners, cyclists, triathletes and swimmers.

Iron ProfileFerritinB12Vitamin DMagnesiumCalciumElectrolytesGlucoseFBC
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Sport Test Package

Essential sports screening: FBC, glucose, lipids, vitamin D, thyroid, liver and CK-MB (muscle damage marker).

FBCGlucoseLipogramCK-MBVitamin DTSHCalciumLFT
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Strength and Hormones

Comprehensive Bodybuilder Package

R2,200

Testosterone, oestradiol, organ function and metabolic markers. For strength athletes and hormone monitoring. Includes liver, kidney, lipids and haematocrit safety markers.

TestosteroneOestradiolLipogramLFTKidney FunctionFBCCalciumMagnesium
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Men's Hormonal Vitality and Performance

R1,595

Complete male hormone panel with safety markers: testosterone (total and free), oestradiol, SHBG, PSA, haematocrit, liver and lipids. Also suitable for ongoing hormone therapy monitoring.

Total TestosteroneFree TestosteroneOestradiolSHBGPSAFBCLFTLipogramHbA1c
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Comprehensive

ODx Max Package

The most comprehensive performance panel: testosterone, cortisol, DHEA-S, fasting insulin, inflammation markers, thyroid, vitamins, minerals and organ function. 30+ markers. Fasting required.

TestosteroneCortisolDHEA-SFasting InsulinCRPHomocysteineIronVitamin DMagnesiumTSH+20 more
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Anti-Ageing Health Package

R4,422

Full hormone panel plus cortisol, inflammation, vitamins and metabolic markers. 18 markers covering hormones, thyroid, cardiovascular and vitality. Good for recovery optimisation.

TestosteroneCortisolDHEA-STSHFree T3Free T4Vitamin DIronMagnesiumCRP+8 more
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Which package? Endurance athletes: start with the Runner's Panel (iron, vitamins, recovery). Strength athletes: Bodybuilder Package or Men's Hormonal Vitality (hormones + organ safety). Full picture: ODx Max (30+ markers). Or WhatsApp us with your sport and goals.

When to Test

Pre-season

Establish baseline before training ramps up

Mid-season

Catch depletion during heavy training blocks

Post-competition

Assess recovery after major events

Off-season

Ensure full recovery before next cycle

Test timing: Wait 48 – 72 hours after intense training (CK, CRP and cortisol are elevated after hard sessions). Test testosterone and cortisol in the morning before 10am when levels peak. Most panels do not require fasting unless insulin or glucose is included.

All packages: Payflex available (4 interest-free instalments). 10% student discount. 10% pensioner discount. All prices include VAT. ODx report included free.

Frequently Asked Questions

What blood tests should athletes get?
Endurance: iron studies (especially ferritin), vitamin D, B12, FBC, magnesium, electrolytes. Strength: testosterone, oestradiol, liver function, lipids, FBC, kidney function. All athletes: vitamin D, CRP, thyroid (TSH), FBC. For comprehensive assessment add cortisol, DHEA-S and homocysteine.
How often should athletes test?
2 – 4 times per year. Pre-season baseline, mid-season check during heavy training, post-competition recovery and off-season to ensure full recovery.
Why is ferritin important even if I am not anaemic?
Ferritin is your iron reserve. It drops before haemoglobin (which defines anaemia). Many athletes have "normal" haemoglobin but depleted ferritin, causing fatigue and reduced performance. Optimal ferritin for athletes is typically 50 – 150 ng/mL, higher than standard normal ranges.
When should I test relative to training?
Wait 48 – 72 hours after intense training. CK (muscle damage) can be 10x higher after hard sessions. CRP is elevated 24 – 48 hours. For testosterone and cortisol, test in the morning before 10am.
What does the cortisol:testosterone ratio tell me?
Low ratio (testosterone dominant): favourable for recovery and adaptation. High ratio (cortisol dominant): suggests overtraining, under-recovery or chronic stress. A rising ratio with declining performance is a classic overtraining marker.
Can you monitor hormone therapy?
Yes. The Bodybuilder Package and Men's Hormonal Vitality panel include testosterone (total and free), oestradiol, SHBG, FBC/haematocrit, liver function, lipids and PSA (men 40+). Epicentre is a diagnostic laboratory and does not prescribe medication.

Related

Hormone Testing Fatigue Testing Vitamin Testing All Packages

Train Smarter. Test Your Blood.

Find your limiters. No doctor's referral. Results in 2 – 5 days.

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Walk-in labs: Observatory (Cape Town), Hillcrest (Durban), Parktown North (Johannesburg). Mon – Fri, 08:30 – 16:00. Morning appointments recommended for hormone testing. Practice #1117394.

SN
Medically reviewed by Dr. Samantha Naidoo
MB ChB, FCP (SA) · Medical Director, Epicentre Laboratories

Epicentre Walk-In Labs does not provide medical diagnoses. For diagnoses and advice, consult your healthcare practitioner.

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