Sports Fitness Profile
A health check designed for active individuals wanting to understand their performance, recovery, and energy levels. Includes markers for muscle health, hydration, and metabolic function. Helps optimise training and prevent injury.
Blood Tests, Sports & Fitness- Description
- Uses of This Test
- Why This Test?
The Sports Fitness Profile is a comprehensive blood test designed for anyone who wants a clearer understanding of their health and performance markers in relation to sport, training, and recovery. It’s ideal as a baseline before starting a new programme, or for monitoring progress and wellbeing during ongoing training.
This profile assesses the core areas that most commonly impact performance and recovery, including blood health and oxygen delivery, iron and nutrient status, inflammation, cardiovascular risk, muscle stress, and liver and kidney function. It provides a reliable snapshot of how your body is responding to training and lifestyle demands, helping you make informed decisions about exercise intensity, nutrition, and recovery.
Results can be tracked over time to monitor trends, measure progress, and flag changes that may benefit from adjustment or clinical follow-up.
- Baseline fitness and training health check
- Monitor training recovery and inflammation
- Assess endurance and oxygen delivery markers
- Check iron stores for performance support
- Monitor muscle stress and recovery load
- Support heart health screening for active people
- Track health markers during fitness programmes
- Monitor testosterone and wellbeing markers
Training places controlled stress on the body, which is essential for fitness gains, but it also increases demand on recovery systems, nutrient stores, and organ function. Performance plateaus, fatigue, slower recovery, muscle soreness, or reduced endurance are often linked to underlying issues that aren’t obvious without testing.
This profile checks the key areas that matter to active individuals:
Blood and oxygen delivery – A full blood count helps identify anaemia or recovery-limiting patterns that can reduce stamina and performance.
Iron status and ferritin – Iron and ferritin are closely linked to energy production and endurance. Low stores are a common reason for tiredness and reduced training output.
Inflammation and recovery – hs-CRP helps detect low-grade inflammation that may impact recovery or indicate excessive training load.
Liver and kidney function – These markers help assess how well your body is processing metabolic waste, supplements, and training byproducts, and can highlight dehydration or stress.
Heart and cholesterol health – A lipid profile supports cardiovascular health screening, which remains important even for physically active people.
Muscle stress and metabolic markers – Creatine kinase (CK) can reflect muscle strain and recovery demand, while uric acid can indicate metabolic stress linked to gout risk.
Vitamin and hormone support – Vitamin D and B12 contribute to energy metabolism, immune function, and muscle performance. Testosterone supports strength, recovery, and body composition.
This creates a broad, reliable picture of how your body is functioning in response to your training regime.
What We Test
Biomarkers analysed by accredited UK laboratories
Biomarkers Tested
Kidney Function
- Urea
Reflects protein metabolism and hydration status; may rise with dehydration or high training load.
- Creatinine
Used to assess kidney filtration; can be influenced by muscle mass and intense training.
- Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR)
Provides an overall estimate of kidney function to support safe monitoring over time.
Assesses waste clearance and hydration balance, which can influence recovery and performance.
Liver Function
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
Supports assessment of liver and bile duct function.
- Alanine Transaminase (ALT)
Sensitive marker of liver cell stress.
- Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST)
Reflects liver and muscle enzyme activity, relevant after strenuous training.
- Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase (GGT)
Supports identification of liver stress from alcohol, medication, or metabolic factors.
- Total Protein
Provides an overview of circulating proteins, linked to nutritional and liver status.
- Globulin
Supports immune protein balance and inflammation interpretation.
- Albumin
Reflects liver protein production and overall nutritional status.
- Total Bilirubin
Linked to liver processing and red blood cell breakdown.
Assesses liver processing, metabolic stress, and protein production relevant to overall health and recovery.
Bone, Muscle & Metabolic Markers
- Calcium
Essential for muscle contraction, nerve signalling, and bone health.
- Urate (Uric Acid)
Associated with gout risk and metabolic stress; can be influenced by diet and training.
- Creatine Kinase (CK)
Marker of muscle strain or breakdown, useful for assessing recovery load.
Assesses bone-related minerals, muscle stress, and metabolic balance.
Cholesterol Profile
- Total Cholesterol
Overall cholesterol level used in cardiovascular risk assessment.
- High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL)
Protective cholesterol linked to reduced cardiovascular risk.
- Low-Density Lipoprotein (LDL)
Higher-risk cholesterol linked to arterial plaque formation.
- HDL Percentage
Shows the proportion of protective cholesterol relative to total.
- Non-HDL Cholesterol
Represents all atherogenic cholesterol particles associated with cardiovascular risk.
- Total Cholesterol : HDL Ratio
Key indicator of overall cardiovascular risk balance.
- Triglycerides
Linked to metabolic health and cardiovascular risk.
Assesses cardiovascular risk factors relevant to long-term heart health.
Iron Studies
- Iron
Measures circulating iron levels used for red blood cell production.
- Total Iron-Binding Capacity (TIBC)
Indicates the blood’s capacity to transport iron.
- Unsaturated Iron-Binding Capacity (UIBC)
Helps interpret iron availability in circulation.
- Transferrin Saturation
Shows the proportion of transport protein carrying iron, indicating usable iron availability.
- Ferritin
Reflects iron stores and supports detection of deficiency before anaemia develops.
Assesses iron availability for oxygen transport and energy production, relevant to endurance and fatigue.
Full Blood Count with 5-Part Differential
- Haemoglobin
- Haematocrit
- Red Cell Count
- Mean Cell Volume (MCV)
- Mean Cell Haemoglobin (MCH)
- Mean Cell Haemoglobin Concentration (MCHC)
- Red Cell Distribution Width (RDW)
- White Cell Count
- Neutrophils
- Lymphocytes
- Monocytes
- Eosinophils
- Basophils
- Platelet Count
- Mean Platelet Volume (MPV)
Assesses oxygen delivery, immune activity, and recovery capacity.
Inflammation
- High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP)
Assesses low-grade inflammation that may affect recovery and cardiovascular risk.
Vitamins
- Vitamin D (25-OH)
- Vitamin B12
Key vitamins that support energy metabolism, immunity, and muscle function.
Hormone Profile
- Testosterone
Supports muscle growth, recovery, libido, and energy; imbalance may affect training response and vitality.
Hormone marker linked to strength, recovery, body composition, and wellbeing.
In-Clinic Blood Testing At Longridge, Preston
If you’d rather leave everything to a qualified professional, our in-clinic blood testing service is the most comfortable and hands-off experience. Once you complete your order, we’ll contact you to arrange a convenient appointment time.
Your sample will be taken by a trained phlebotomist, making the process quick, smooth, and reassuring - especially if you’re nervous around blood or struggle with finger-prick tests.
We send off all samples the same day to the lab to be processed so results can be expected within 72 hours.
Why Use This Service:
Hands-off, professional experience
High-quality samples for complex tests
No risk of “not enough sample”
Support at every step
No posting or packaging required
Convinient appointment times
Taking Charge Of Your Own Health Has Never Been Easier
Worried about your wellbeing?
If you’re experiencing unexplained symptoms such as fatigue, weight loss, or other issues, a comprehensive blood test may be the key to discovering potential underlying health problems.
Need to monitor a health condition?
Blood tests offer essential insights into various aspects of your health, from detecting deficiencies to evaluating immune functions.
Enhancing Performance and Fitness?
Whether you’re training for a sport or keeping track of your fitness progress, a blood test serves as an excellent foundation for your performance improvement journey.
All Our Tests Include:
No GP Referral
Order directly - no waiting for appointments
Fast Results
Detailed analysis within 72 hours
Laboratory Commentary
Expert interpretation of your results included
Secure & Confidential
Discreet service and consultations
Frequently Asked Questions
- Qualified Pharmacists
- Flexible Appointments
- Top Customer Service
Are same-day appointments available?
Often, yes. If you need a blood test today, call us on 01772 439054 and we will do our best to fit you in the same day.
What if my results need explaining?
Your results are reported against the laboratory’s reference ranges, so you can see which values sit outside the expected range. Where the laboratory provides written commentary it is included with your report. If anything is unclear or needs a follow-up, our pharmacists are happy to talk you through it.
How much do private blood tests cost in Preston?
Prices start at £39 for a single-marker test such as our Cholesterol/Lipid Profile and rise to £349 for the Allergy Complete 295-allergen panel. Most comprehensive health panels cost between £100 and £180. The price covers the laboratory analysis and your results report, and our pharmacists will talk you through anything that needs explaining at no extra charge.
What is the difference between a home finger-prick test and a clinic appointment?
Both use exactly the same accredited UK laboratories. A home kit suits busy schedules and simpler tests, while a clinic appointment with our phlebotomist is better for comprehensive panels, larger samples, or anyone who would rather not take their own sample. If you are not sure which to choose, call us and we will point you to the right option.
Where is the clinic?
You will find us at 54 Berry Lane, Longridge, Preston PR3 3JP, with free parking on site. We see patients from Longridge, Preston, the Ribble Valley and across Lancashire.
Are weekend appointments available?
Yes. We are open 10am to 6pm on Saturdays, with blood test appointments available by arrangement, so you can fit your test around work and family.
What if I’m on the pill, coil or HRT?
Just tell us at booking. Hormonal contraception and HRT affect some results, so we note it on your order and take it into account when we talk your results through with you.
What can an AMH test tell me?
AMH is the single best blood marker of your ovarian reserve, a useful indicator if you’re planning for a family, considering egg freezing, or simply want to understand your fertility. It can be tested on any day of your cycle.
When in my cycle should I take a hormone test?
It depends on the test. AMH can be done on any day. Baseline hormones (FSH, LH, oestradiol) are usually taken on days 2 to 5. Progesterone is taken around day 21 (about 7 days before your next period is due). We’ll guide you on timing when you book.
When is the best time to take a testosterone test?
Ideally in the morning (before 11am), when testosterone is at its natural peak. We’ll guide you on timing when you book.
What’s the best test if I think my testosterone is low?
Testosterone Plus, which measures total and free testosterone plus SHBG and the Free Androgen Index. Total testosterone alone misses many men whose symptoms come from low free testosterone, so getting the complete picture matters.
Do I need an allergy test or intolerance test?
If your reactions are fast (hives, swelling, wheezing), the 295-allergen IgE panel is the right starting point. If they’re slower and gut-based (bloating, cramps, fatigue), a targeted intolerance or coeliac profile may suit you better. Not sure? Call us and we’ll guide you.
What does the 295-allergen panel test for?
Foods, pollens, animals, dust mites, moulds, insect venoms, drugs and contact allergens (all from a single blood sample). The full allergen list can be found on the product page.
How accurate are home finger-prick tests compared to clinic tests?
Our home finger-prick tests use the same accredited laboratories as our clinic tests. While clinic tests allow for more comprehensive panels, home tests are highly accurate for the parameters they measure.
Do I need a GP referral for a blood test?
No, you don’t need a GP referral. You can book directly with us for any blood test. We are a private clinic offering direct access to comprehensive blood testing.
How old do I have to be to have a blood test?
We will only draw blood from those aged 16 and above due to legal requirements.
How long does it take for the blood test results to come?
If you have used our clinic to complete a blood test, we send off all samples the same day to the lab to be processed. If you have used a home test kit, then once your sample has been sent off the lab will analyse your sample. Results are usually received within 72 hours.
How do I perform the home finger-prick test?
Your home blood test kit will contain easy-to-follow instructions on how to take your own finger blood sample. If you have any concerns or questions prior to using the kit, please contact our phlebotomists who will be happy to assist.
How do I prepare for a blood test?
There is no preparation required prior to taking any of the blood tests. Please simply remember to stay hydrated prior to your appointment. This is to help your veins dilate better to enable a quick and efficient blood sample to be taken and reduce the risks of feeling faint following your blood test.
Please inform the phlebotomist before your test if you are currently taking any blood thinning medication.
Should I fast before my blood test?
Fasting is not required for most blood tests. However, if your profile includes cholesterol tests and you’ve previously had high levels, consider fasting for 8 hours beforehand. While not essential, fasting can provide more accurate results.
Note: Fasting means abstaining from any food and drink, except for water.