30/10/2025
How to read blood test results: what changes when you are physically very active ?
When athletes undergo routine blood tests, several values often differ from the normal reference range. These differences usually reflect physiological adaptations to training, not pathology.
If you go to a general practitioner for a health check and a blood test, he or she may not always take into account or even ask about your level of physical activity. Your blood sample will be compared to a reference range, which is established on values that are found in the “general healthy population”. This includes sportive people but also people that do not exercise.
Regular intensive exercise requires a lot more from the body, in terms of energy and/or muscle synthesis. This translates into adaptations in the metabolic pathways, and several parameters in the blood test will show values that are not normally seen in the general population.
With this information, we want to point out that it is not always bad if you have some blood test results that are extra-ordinary. They may just be in an indication that you are exceptional when it comes to physical activity. But still, always consult with a health specialist and discuss your level and timing of exercise for a correct interpretation of blood test results, so that possible health hazards are not ignored.
Check our blog for more information on common irregularities in blood test analysis
https://verelst.global/blog/f/how-to-read-blood-test-results-adaptations-in-athletes