Quick Facts
- Sample: Blood
- Fasting: 12–14 hours required
- Turn-around: 3–5 business days. May take longer based on weather, holiday, or lab delays.
Benefits
- Precision cardiovascular assessment — Advanced lipid particle analysis reveals heart disease risk standard cholesterol tests miss
- Hormone optimization insights — Free and total testosterone measurements support energy, strength, and muscle recovery goals
- Muscle health tracking — Aldolase enzyme levels detect exercise-related stress and guide recovery strategies
- Inflammation monitoring — High-sensitivity CRP identifies systemic inflammation impacting performance and cardiovascular health
- Complete metabolic picture — Comprehensive panel evaluates organ function, blood health, and metabolic balance in one test
Who Is This Test For?
- Athletes and fitness enthusiasts optimizing training programs and tracking performance biomarkers
- Individuals starting or adjusting exercise regimens who want baseline health data
- People experiencing unexplained fatigue, low energy, or difficulty building muscle mass
- Those with family history of heart disease, diabetes, or hormonal imbalances
- Anyone monitoring the impact of lifestyle changes on cardiovascular and metabolic health
- Individuals seeking comprehensive wellness assessment as part of preventive care
How It Works – Just 3 Steps
- Order online and prepare — Fast for 12–14 hours; discontinue biotin supplements 72 hours before testing; rest 30 minutes before your appointment.
- Visit a lab — Blood drawn via venipuncture at a certified lab.
- Receive results — Access detailed biomarker data online within 3-5 days to help guide your next steps.
FAQ
What does this panel measure? It evaluates cardiovascular risk through advanced lipid analysis, hormone levels via testosterone testing, blood cell counts, liver and kidney function, muscle enzyme activity, and systemic inflammation markers.
Do I need to prepare for this test? Yes, maintain your usual diet for 2–3 weeks beforehand and fast for 12–14 hours before your blood draw. Water is permitted during fasting.
How is this different from a standard cholesterol test? Standard tests measure only total cholesterol and HDL/LDL levels. This panel includes NMR LipoProfile® or Cardio IQ, which analyzes LDL particle number and size for more accurate cardiovascular risk assessment (American Heart Association 2023).
Can women benefit from testosterone testing? Absolutely. Testosterone influences muscle mass, energy, mood, and bone density in women. Low levels can impact fitness performance and overall wellness (NIH 2024).
What if my results show abnormal values? Consult with your healthcare provider to discuss findings. Abnormal results may indicate need for lifestyle modifications, further testing, or medical intervention.
How often should I repeat this test? Testing frequency depends on your health status and goals. See the frequency table in More Details for specific recommendations.
More Details
What is the purpose of this test?
The Fitness #2 Essential Blood Test Panel provides a comprehensive evaluation of biomarkers essential for optimizing physical fitness and overall health. By analyzing cardiovascular risk factors, hormone balance, metabolic function, muscle health, and inflammation, this panel delivers actionable insights that support personalized training and wellness strategies (Mayo Clinic 2024).
The panel includes six critical components: NMR LipoProfile® or Cardio IQ Advanced Lipid Panel for precise lipid particle analysis, Complete Blood Count (CBC) with differential to assess blood health and immune function, Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP-14) evaluating 14 substances including glucose and organ function markers, Aldolase to measure muscle enzyme activity, Free and Total Testosterone via LC-MS/MS for hormonal status, and high-sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) to detect inflammation (CDC 2024).
This comprehensive approach enables early detection of chronic conditions like heart disease and diabetes while providing data to guide nutrition, exercise intensity, recovery protocols, and hormone optimization efforts.
Who would benefit from this test?
This panel is particularly valuable for athletes and fitness enthusiasts seeking to maximize performance through data-driven training adjustments. Individuals beginning new exercise programs benefit from baseline measurements that track progress and identify potential health obstacles. Those experiencing symptoms like unexplained fatigue, reduced strength, difficulty building muscle, mood changes, or decreased libido can uncover underlying hormonal or metabolic issues.
People with family history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or testosterone imbalances should consider this test for preventive screening. It's also ideal for monitoring the effects of lifestyle interventions including dietary changes, supplement regimens, or hormone therapy. Anyone recovering from muscle injury or tracking post-workout recovery can use aldolase and inflammation markers to optimize healing.
Health-conscious individuals seeking comprehensive wellness assessment without requiring a prior physician visit will appreciate the direct-to-consumer access and detailed biomarker coverage this panel provides.
When should I order the Fitness #2 Essential Blood Test Panel?
Order this test before starting or significantly modifying your exercise and nutrition programs to establish baseline values. Consider testing if you experience persistent fatigue, low energy levels, trouble maintaining muscle mass, decreased workout performance, mood changes, reduced libido, unexplained muscle soreness, or symptoms potentially linked to hormonal imbalance (Journal of Sports Medicine 2023).
Schedule testing when monitoring recovery from injury or evaluating the effectiveness of current fitness strategies. Individuals with family history of high cholesterol or heart disease should test proactively to assess cardiovascular risk factors. Those undergoing lifestyle changes or medical treatments affecting metabolism, hormones, or cardiovascular health benefit from periodic monitoring.
Testing is most informative when conducted after maintaining a stable diet for 2–3 weeks and completing the required 12–14 hour fast. This consistency ensures accurate baseline measurements for future comparison.
How do I interpret the results?
Results compare your biomarker values to established laboratory reference ranges. Your report indicates whether each measurement falls within normal, borderline, or abnormal ranges. Elevated LDL particle numbers, measured through NMR LipoProfile®, correlate with increased cardiovascular risk even when standard cholesterol levels appear normal (American Heart Association 2023).
- LDL Particle Number: Measures cardiovascular risk; higher numbers indicate increased heart disease risk and may require intervention
- Testosterone (Free/Total): Assesses hormonal status; low levels may impact muscle mass, energy, and recovery
- hs-CRP: Evaluates systemic inflammation; elevated values suggest increased cardiovascular risk and impaired recovery
- Aldolase: Reflects muscle enzyme activity; high levels may indicate muscle damage or excessive training stress
- CBC (Complete Blood Count): Assesses blood cell health; abnormalities may reveal anemia, infection, or immune dysfunction
- CMP-14 (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel): Evaluates metabolic function, including kidney and liver health, glucose levels, and electrolyte balance
Testosterone levels influence muscle mass and recovery capacity, with deficiencies linked to reduced athletic performance and elevated injury risk among active individuals.
Abnormal values should prompt consultation with healthcare providers to determine appropriate interventions. These may include dietary modifications, adjusted training intensity, supplementation, cardiovascular treatment, or hormone therapy. Repeat testing monitors intervention effectiveness over time.
Disclaimer: Reference ranges may vary by laboratory. Listed ranges are general guidelines and may differ from those used by the performing lab. Always consult your healthcare provider for interpretation.
Pre-test preparation
Maintain your regular diet for 2–3 weeks before testing to ensure results reflect your typical physiological state. Fast for 12–14 hours prior to blood collection, consuming only water during the fasting period. Avoid strenuous exercise 24 hours before your test, as intense activity can temporarily elevate muscle enzymes like aldolase.
Continue taking prescribed medications unless your healthcare provider advises otherwise. Inform the collection facility of all medications and supplements, as some may influence test results. Schedule your appointment for morning hours when possible, as hormone levels like testosterone are typically highest early in the day.
Arrive well-hydrated to facilitate blood draw. Wear comfortable clothing with sleeves that roll up easily for venipuncture access.
How often should I get tested?
Testing frequency depends on your health status, fitness goals, and any interventions you're monitoring. Use this table as a general guide and consult your healthcare provider for personalized recommendations.
- Baseline fitness assessment: Once before starting a new program
- Monitoring training effectiveness: Every 3–6 months
- Managing known cardiovascular risk: Every 3–6 months or as directed
- Optimizing hormone therapy: Every 3 months initially, then every 6 months
- Tracking lifestyle intervention: 3 months after changes, then every 6 months
- General preventive wellness: Annually
- Family history of heart disease or diabetes: Every 6–12 months
More frequent testing may be appropriate if you have abnormal baseline results, are recovering from injury, or are making significant adjustments to training or diet. Athletes in competitive training may test quarterly to optimize performance variables.
Why early detection matters
Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death globally, yet many risk factors are modifiable when identified early. Advanced lipid testing reveals elevated LDL particle numbers before standard cholesterol panels show abnormalities, enabling preventive interventions that reduce heart attack and stroke risk by up to 30% (American Heart Association 2023).
Low testosterone affects millions of adults, causing fatigue, muscle loss, mood disorders, and metabolic dysfunction. Early detection allows for lifestyle modifications or hormone optimization that restore energy, strength, and quality of life. Chronic low-grade inflammation, measured by hs-CRP, predicts future cardiovascular events and impairs exercise recovery. Addressing inflammation through diet, stress management, and appropriate medical treatment protects long-term health.
Metabolic markers like glucose and kidney function tests identify prediabetes and organ dysfunction in early stages when interventions are most effective. Athletes benefit from detecting anemia or electrolyte imbalances that compromise performance before symptoms become severe. Early awareness empowers proactive health management rather than reactive treatment of established disease.
Related tests you may consider
Micronutrient Panel — Assesses nutrients critical for muscle function, immune health, and energy metabolism that complement fitness optimization efforts.
Thyroid Panel — Evaluates thyroid hormones that regulate metabolism, energy levels, and body composition, particularly useful if experiencing unexplained weight changes or fatigue.
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) — Measures average blood glucose over three months to assess diabetes risk and glycemic control affecting energy and performance.
Cortisol Test — Evaluates stress hormone levels that impact recovery, sleep quality, and training adaptation when dysregulated.
