{"id":13276,"date":"2022-04-07T10:48:27","date_gmt":"2022-04-07T08:48:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.220triathlon.com\/?p=96827"},"modified":"2022-04-07T10:58:13","modified_gmt":"2022-04-07T08:58:13","slug":"can-blood-testing-kits-help-triathletes","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/220triathlon\/rss_feed\/can-blood-testing-kits-help-triathletes\/","title":{"rendered":"Can blood testing kits help triathletes?"},"content":{"rendered":"

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By James Witts\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 07 April 2022 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Triathlon attracts individuals who like a challenge, who like to maximise every advantage and, of course, who love gear. My, how we love gear. Swathes of curvaceous carbon rolling upon deep-rim works of art, wetsuits that slipstream through the water and featherweight run shoes.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s all in the name of speed. But what about you? How much do you invest in your physical self? It\u2019s time to discover the triathlon benefits of blood testing\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

A swift turnaround<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Thriva<\/a><\/strong>, partners of Super League Triathlon, is a home blood-testing service designed to lift the lid on your health and performance by analysing numerous proteins, hormones, vitamins and enzymes that have been scientifically proven to impact your triathlon outcome.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

We\u2019re talking testosterone, iron, vitamin D\u2026 but we\u2019ll elaborate on that shortly. For now, let\u2019s dig deep into the process, from testing to analysis.<\/span><\/p>\n

Firstly, head to the <\/span>Thriva website<\/a><\/strong> and choose the blood test that\u2019s applicable to you as a triathlete. In a blink of an eye \u2013 well, no more than a couple of days \u2013\u00a0 your kit arrives. Now it\u2019s onto the bit that might cause concern for some: the blood test. Fear not, as it\u2019s incredibly easy and barely perceptible.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Simply lay out the contents of your Thriva box on a flat surface, ensuring your hand\u2019s below your elbow \u2013 gravity helps your blood flow. Warming and scrunching your hand also helps.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Then, using the miniscule lancet, prick the corner of your fingertip (the ring finger\u2019s ideal). No grimmacing\u2019s required as you won\u2019t feel a thing. Then massage your hand downwards to squeeze your blood into the included tube.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once you\u2019ve deposited sufficient blood for analysis, simply click the cap on, swirl the tube a few times before packaging it up and posting in the pre-paid envelope. One of Thriva\u2019s experienced doctors then analyses the results. And, in our experience, they do this swifter than a Brownlee out of transition, with our online dashboard being updated within two days of posting.<\/span><\/p>\n

The results<\/strong><\/h2>\n

My test was all about improving performance and recovery, so Dr Kenneally analysed testosterone levels, iron stores, liver function, and vitamins D and B12.\u00a0 Why these, you may ask? Good question\u2026<\/span><\/p>\n

Testosterone \u2013 the triathlon hormone<\/strong><\/h3>\n

I\u2019m sure we\u2019re all aware that testosterone\u2019s a male hormone, but are you aware it\u2019s responsible for myriad processes associated with peak triathlon performance?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As a snapshot, these include increasing muscle mass, helping you to burn fat more effectively, bolstering bone density and even influencing your competitive spirit. In short, it\u2019s important.<\/span><\/p>\n

The problem is, testosterone levels drop by both age and when endurance training for hours on end. I\u2019m 45 and train for around 8-10hrs a week so the alarm bells were ringing. Thankfully, I came in at 14.57nmol\/l, which was normal, albeit it could be higher. (Every variable measured falls within a low, normal or high range with some parameters rating optimal, too.)<\/span><\/p>\n

To that end, Thriva<\/a><\/strong> offers advice on how to boost flagging levels of hormones and vitamins. When it comes to testosterone, an anabolic exercise like weight training helps. As testosterone levels have been shown to drop by 1% a year from the age of 40, weight training should become an ever-greater part of my triathlon training as the years roll by. More, better-quality sleep should help, too.<\/span><\/p>\n

Ferritin \u2013 oxygen must-have<\/strong><\/h3>\n
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Ferritin\u2019s a protein that stores iron and releases it when needed. That\u2019s why ferritin\u2019s a useful indicator of your body\u2019s iron status. And that\u2019s important because iron\u2019s needed to make haemoglobin. This is a protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from lungs to every part of your body.<\/span><\/p>\n

The impact on triathlon performance is clear, as our body demands huge amounts of oxygen to create energy to help us race longer, faster and stronger. Those oxygen supplies are in shorter supply, however, if iron levels are low, which is especially common in female triathletes because of blood loss due to menstruation. Through a triathlon lens, this can mean sub-optimum performance. Through a clinical lens, this could result in anaemia.<\/span><\/p>\n

My iron levels came back as 48ug\/l, sitting in the optimal range. Arguably, that\u2019s down to my naturally iron-rich diet of red meat, dark green leafy vegetables and nuts. This seems to have countered the potential negative impact of caffeine \u2013 I drink too much coffee! \u2013 which impairs iron absorption. An iron supplement is an option if your levels are low but, as always in the world of nutrition, the first port of call should be a healthy, nutritious diet.<\/span><\/p>\n