InsideTracker Recovery blood test - 10 blood values

InsideTracker gives members a Recovery score from 0 to 100, calculated from a fixed set of blood values. If you search for InsideTracker in the Netherlands, you usually want those values measured without a membership and without shipping a sample to the United States.

This blood test is that alternative: the same 10 blood values behind the Recovery category, drawn at a certified Dutch lab and returned digitally in your account, with an assessment by a BIG-registered doctor.

This panel may suit athletes and active people who want to track their recovery objectively. It can be relevant for:

• Athletes in a heavy training block who want to see whether their body handles the load
• People with persistent muscle soreness or fatigue after exercise
• People planning a race season who want a baseline measurement
• People who want the InsideTracker Recovery category measured in the Netherlands

This panel measures 10 blood values:

• Muscle load: Creatine Kinase (CK), the enzyme released with muscle damage.
• Liver: ALT, AST, GGT and Albumin.
• Electrolytes and minerals: Magnesium, Sodium and Potassium.
• Inflammation and vitamins: hs-CRP and Vitamin D.

The results show how your muscle enzymes, liver values, electrolytes and inflammation value compare to the reference ranges. A persistently elevated CK or CRP can signal that your body needs more recovery time.

If you would rather look at oxygen transport and iron status, our InsideTracker Endurance blood test is a better fit. The full InsideTracker blood test measures 36 blood values in one go. Keep in mind that a single value is not a diagnosis.

For this blood test, a staff member draws a small tube of blood at a certified location. You can choose from 700+ collection sites, so there is almost always a location near you.

You only need your appointment confirmation and a valid ID. The draw usually takes just a few minutes.

Some athletes choose to measure these values:

• When they want to know whether persistent fatigue shows up in their blood
• When they start a heavy training block or race season and want a baseline
• When they want to check whether their magnesium and vitamin D are on track
• When they want to follow the effect of more rest or adjusted training

What the results mean depends on your personal situation and training load. CK especially needs context: after heavy training, an elevated value is normal and temporary.

Always discuss any deviating values with your GP, so you know what the results may mean for you personally.

Avoid intense training for 48 hours before the draw: heavy exertion temporarily raises your creatine kinase, making the result harder to interpret. Fasting is not needed for this panel.

Drink enough water on the day of the draw. If in doubt, discuss your situation with your GP.

You receive your results digitally in your account, usually within a few working days. For each value, you can see whether it falls within the reference range.

Every blood test result includes a professional assessment from a BIG-registered doctor. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.