Blood tests for women who train

The tests worth doing before you start a fat-loss phase, with optimal ranges, not just “normal” ones. Take this page to your doctor, who will decide what is right for you and interpret the results.

01 · Energy, iron and hormones

Test	Why it matters	Optimal for a woman who trains	When
Full blood count (FBC/CBC)	Picks up anaemia, common with heavy periods and hard training.	Haemoglobin 13 to 15 g/dL (below 12 is anaemia). MCV 82 to 98 fL. Platelets 150 to 400.	Baseline, then every 3 to 6 months
Ferritin	Iron stores. Falls long before haemoglobin does.	50 to 100 ng/mL. Below 30 is iron deficiency.	Baseline, then every 3 to 6 months
Transferrin saturation and CRP	Confirm the iron picture; inflammation can hide low iron.	Saturation 20 to 45%. CRP below 3 mg/L (hs-CRP ideally below 1).	With ferritin
Vitamin D (25-OH-D)	Low levels are common and linked to fibroids, bone health and muscle function.	40 to 60 ng/mL (100 to 150 nmol/L). Below 20 is deficient.	Baseline, then every 3 months if low
TSH (with free T4 if abnormal)	Thyroid problems cause heavy bleeding and slow down weight loss.	0.5 to 2.5 mIU/L.	Baseline

02 · Metabolic and general health

Test	Optimal for a woman who trains
HbA1c	Under 5.4% (5.7% and above is prediabetes)
Fasting glucose	70 to 90 mg/dL (3.9 to 5.0 mmol/L)
LDL cholesterol	Under 100 mg/dL (2.6 mmol/L)
HDL cholesterol	Above 60 mg/dL (1.5 mmol/L)
Triglycerides	Under 100 mg/dL (1.1 mmol/L)
ALT and AST (liver)	Under 25 U/L
Creatinine and eGFR (kidney)	Creatinine 0.6 to 1.1 mg/dL, eGFR above 90. Training and high protein can raise creatinine slightly.
Vitamin B12	Above 400 pg/mL (300 pmol/L)
Folate	Above 10 ng/mL
Magnesium	0.85 to 1.0 mmol/L (2.0 to 2.4 mg/dL)

Test now for a baseline, then once a year, or sooner if your doctor advises.

If you have fibroids or heavy periods

Pelvic ultrasound (transvaginal) on cycle days 5 to 10: the only way to see how many fibroids there are, how big they are and where they sit. Repeat as your gynaecologist advises.
Check ferritin and full blood count every 8 to 12 weeks.
A pregnancy test before starting any new treatment.
Clotting tests (including von Willebrand) if you have always had very heavy periods or bleed easily.
AMH and fertility tests if you are planning a pregnancy.

Good to know

Have your blood taken in the morning after a 10 to 12-hour fast (water only), and not the day after a hard session.
Labs use different units and ranges. These optimal ranges are a guide; your doctor has the final word.

Before cutting calories: if your ferritin is below 30, your haemoglobin is low, or your vitamin D is deficient, eat at maintenance and let your doctor treat it first. Dieting on low iron makes everything harder. Want help reading your results? See 1:1 coaching, or read the iron starting guide.

Based on

Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care. Heavy Menstrual Bleeding Clinical Care Standard (2024): routine ferritin and full blood count; transvaginal ultrasound on cycle days 5 to 10.
Ivanova et al. J Obstet Gynaecol Can (2024): systematic review and meta-analysis of vitamin D and uterine fibroids.
American Society of Hematology, draft iron deficiency guideline (2025): ferritin cut-off of 30 for adults.

This page is nutrition coaching information, not medical advice.

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