5 Labs Every Athlete Over 40 Should Know

By Barbara Lewin, RDN, LDN Sports Nutritionist and Functional Dietitian

If you’re an athlete over 40, you probably know your pace, power, or personal records better than your lab results. That’s common, and it can be risky.

As we age, heart disease, insulin resistance, and inflammation often appear first in blood work, not in symptoms. Being fit does not make you immune.

Here are five labs every athlete over 40 should understand, even if you train hard and feel great.

1. LDL Cholesterol (and ApoB if Available)

Most athletes know their “total cholesterol,” but that number alone does not tell the full story.

LDL cholesterol is often called “bad cholesterol.” What really matters is how many LDL particles are circulating in your blood. That’s where ApoB comes in.

Why it matters:

• You can be lean and still have high LDL or ApoB.

• Diet quality strongly affects these numbers.

• Elevated levels increase long-term heart disease risk.

Many athletes assume high training volume cancels this out. It does not.

2. Triglycerides

Triglycerides are a type of fat in the blood and a strong marker of metabolic health.

Why athletes over 40 should care:

• High triglycerides often reflect excess refined carbs or sugar.

• Levels can rise even with normal weight.

• Elevated triglycerides increase heart disease risk.

Frequent sports drinks, bars, and processed carbs outside of training can quietly drive this number up.

3. Fasting Glucose and Hemoglobin A1c

Many athletes are surprised to find early blood sugar issues.

• Fasting glucose shows your blood sugar at one moment.

• A1c shows your average blood sugar over three months.

Why it matters:

• You can be fit and still insulin resistant.

• Aging reduces metabolic flexibility.

• Blood sugar issues raise heart disease risk.

Exercise helps, but diet timing and quality matter more as you get older.

4. Blood Pressure (Tracked Over Time)

Blood pressure is often overlooked because it seems “basic,” but it is important.

Why athletes miss this:

• Readings at the doctor may look fine.

• A single measurement does not tell the full story.

• Vascular stiffness increases with age.

Even mildly elevated blood pressure over time puts strain on the heart and arteries. Tracking trends is more useful than looking at one number.

5. Inflammation Markers (hs-CRP)

High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) measures low-grade inflammation.

Why it matters for athletes:

• Chronic inflammation increases heart disease risk.

• Overtraining, poor recovery, and diet all contribute.

• Inflammation can rise even when performance feels good.

Training hard without proper fueling and recovery can quietly increase inflammation.

Why These Labs Matter More After 40

As you get older:

• Hormones change.

• Recovery takes longer.

• The heart and blood vessels become less flexible.

• Poor habits catch up faster.

You don’t need to panic, but you do need to pay attention. Waiting until symptoms appear is too late.

Common Mistake: Looking at Labs Alone

Many athletes are told:

• “You’re active, so you’re fine.”

• “Your weight is normal.”

• “Your numbers aren’t that bad.”

But labs do not exist in isolation. They need to be interpreted alongside:

• Training volume

• Diet quality

• Family history

• Stress and sleep

• Age and goals

This is where athletes often get stuck.

How an Introductory Session Helps

Most athletes over 40 don’t need extreme changes. They need clarity.

In an Introductory Session, we:

• Review your labs through an athlete lens

• Identify what actually matters

• Separate performance fueling from everyday eating

• Flag heart health risks early

• Create a realistic plan moving forward

No guesswork, no generic advice.

👉 Learn more about the Introductory Session here:
sports-nutritionist.com/virtual-session-special