Nov 6, 2015
Blood testing is an underutilized way in which you as
an athlete can improve your performance. Think about a car that's
not running smoothly. Sure, you could make some guesses as to why
it's not running right, but you're probably going to need to do
some tests to understand the underlying root causes. Your body is
similar, but rather than spanners and wrenches, our toolkit
consists of diet, sleep, movement, stress reduction and
supplements.
I have for you today a unique episode of the podcast.
Dr. Tommy Wood is an athlete, a medical doctor, a research
scientist, and the director of our clinical coaching programme
O2 Boost. Tommy practises what he preaches, but his
work life balance is far from ideal, and his test results are far
from perfect.
The O2 Boost process is simple. First, place an order. Shortly
after, you'll receive a PDF requisition that you take directly to
LabCorp, no need to visit your doctor. If you’re lucky enough to be
in the UK, the process is even simpler: the test can be done at
home from a fingerstick. Choosing the organic acids option enables
us to make a more detailed diagnostic--that test is easy to do, you
collect a sample of urine first thing, freeze it and send it to the
lab using the pre-paid FedEx mailer. Once all the results are in,
Tommy and I will gather some appropriate information from you and
then analyse your results. Then I'll get you on the phone to
discuss what to do next. We thought it'd be fun to record and
broadcast our discussion of Tommy's results, and what you'll hear
in this episode is not unlike what you can expect from your
follow-up appointment.
Perhaps you already have some blood test results you’d like us
to look at? No problem, choose the “Send you own” option.
Everything is important, but nothing more so than stress. I
would argue that cortisol is the king of hormones, and I suspect
that stress, both good and bad, may be the underlying cause of most
of the imperfections that we've found in Tommy's biochemistry.
Click the image to download a PDF version of Tommy’s
results:
Here’s the outline of this conversation with Tommy Wood:
- [0:03] The idea that lead to recording this O2 Boost
consultation.
- [0:56] Tommy’s response to his blood results.
- [2:26] The situation Tommy is in that may have impacted his
test results.
- [3:57] Christopher’s assessment of Tommy’s situation and the
issues that may be reflected in Tommy’s results.
- [5:06] The possibility of “adrenal fatigue” in Tommy’s results
and the possibility of dehydration.
- [8:17] Fasting blood glucose of 97 and Hemoglobin A1C of 5.7 -
a bit elevated - and Tommy’s response to those results.
- [12:25] What does Tommy’s low liver enzyme results
suggest?
- [14:26] Ferritin levels are high - and Tommy’s thoughts
on that.
- [16:20] Tommy’s suspicion that he might be heading toward iron
overload.
- [18:58] Tommy’s cholesterol level: 228 - above the normal level
and in increase from the last time he measured.
- [20:07] Fasting glucose levels below 5… a very good
result.
- [20:44] TSH of 1.0 - free T3 of 2.7 - Thyroid function appears
to be a bit low - and Christopher wonders if Tommy is eating enough
food.
- [22:38] Tommy’s homocysteine readings: a bit elevated and a possible
additional clue that Tommy is headed toward iron overload.
- [26:05] Red blood cell size reading is inconclusive.
- [28:07] Vitamin D levels are 29.2 - quite a bit low (and he
hasn’t been supplementing).
- [31:25] Total white blood cell count was 3 - low as well - and
reasons why the test could be reading that way.
- [35:42] Christopher’s assessment of Tommy’s lifestyle and how
he’s handling the stress load and busy-ness.
- [37:11] Should Tommy adjust his diet because of these
results?
- [39:00] Tommy’s attempts at managing the stress load.
- [40:01] How results have to be considered in light of a
person’s baseline.
- [43:31] What Tommy’s done to deal with sleep issues he’s
having.
- [46:10] Creatinine levels are outside the normal range, which
is likely a result of Tommy supplementing with creatine.
- [47:29] Tommy’s views on supplementation with creatine and
cautions about getting a better quality creatine..
- [50:52] What Tommy’s blood results show and how you can get
your own O2 Boost test.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE
O2 Boost Testing