A physical tells you that you are “fine.” Training tells you that you are not.
This is the list I personally reorder when I train: iron, thyroid, vitamin D, CBC, ApoB, CK. It is not a prescription and it is not the rest of the site. Code 20JO is 20% off a first paid GoodLabs order.
This page is only for people who train hard and want the list I personally watch. The rest of the site is for everyone.
By Justin OdomUpdated August 25, 2026Not a doctor. I just keep my labs.
Why does this page exist?
Because I train, and people asked what I personally watch. The rest of the site is not an athlete funnel.
If you do not train, go back to the review or how I use it. You do not need this list.
What do I actually order?
Iron first. Then thyroid, vitamin D, a CBC, inflammation, heart, hormones if something feels off.
Ferritin and iron/TIBC. Heat, mileage, and donating blood all move iron. A physical that skips ferritin is how people train through a hole.
CBC. Four dollars. If hemoglobin or red cells shift, I want to see it.
TSH, and free T4/T3 when TSH is noisy. Under-fueling shows up here.
Vitamin D. Cheap. I live in Florida and I still check it.
hs-CRP and CK. Inflammation and muscle damage. On the Quest catalog hs-CRP is $9 and total CK is $6.
ApoB. The physical that only ran a basic cholesterol panel missed it.
Free and total testosterone. When recovery is off and I do not want to guess.
CMP. Kidneys, liver, electrolytes. Five dollars.
I do not buy all of that every time. That is the point of a la carte. First baseline, then the ones that move. Prices: pricing. Open GoodLabs with 20JO.
Best for
People who train and want a la carte markers instead of a yearly dump.
Avoid if
Anyone looking for a training plan. This is a lab list.
Keep going
Each of these pages answers a different question. Read the one that matches what you are stuck on.
These answers are written so they still make sense if they are quoted without the rest of the page.
What blood tests do endurance athletes need?
Iron and ferritin, thyroid, vitamin D, a CBC, inflammation, and sometimes hormones and CK. That is a starting list, not a prescription. Ask a clinician.
Can I buy those one at a time on GoodLabs?
Yes. Ferritin is $9. TSH is $5. CK is cheap. Or buy a larger panel if you have no baseline.
Is this medical advice?
No. I train. I am not your doctor.
Do I have to be an athlete to use this site?
No. This page is extra. Start at the review if you just want labs without a membership.
What is 20JO?
20% off a first paid GoodLabs order.
Quest or LabCorp?
Whichever location you can get to. Both count. History from both belongs in the same dashboard.
Affiliate disclosure: If you order through this site I may earn a commission. You do not pay extra. Code 20JO takes 20% off a first paid order. This is not the official GoodLabs website. Not medical advice. Full disclosure.
Quick answer
The blood tests I actually reorder as someone who trains: ferritin and a full iron panel, CBC, TSH plus free T4/T3 when needed, vitamin D, free and total testosterone, hs-CRP, CK, ApoB, and a metabolic panel. I buy them a la carte on GoodLabs unless I am due for a full comprehensive. I am not a doctor. This is my list, not yours. Code 20JO is 20% off a first paid order.
Opens goodlabs.com. Code 20JO is 20% off the first paid order. Disclosure.
Affiliate disclosure: If you order GoodLabs through this site I may earn a commission. You do not pay extra. Code 20JO takes 20% off a first paid order. This is not the official GoodLabs website. Not medical advice. Full disclosure.