Even a weight trainer engaged in heavy lifting will return out of the norm results even with no use of anabolic steroids. Now we all know the liver is one of the most important organs in the body Duh! - they all are! Detoxification, numerous processes involved in the conversion of food for energy, growth and repair.



The secretions assist in fat digestion, production of high density lipoprotein Cholestrol (HDL-C) and destruction of the arch enemy low density lipoprotein Cholestrol (LDL-C). Go figure, at rest our liver receives around 30% of the total blood supply, (have a good look at some next time your in the butchers).

Liver function tests actually detect enzyme levels (biological catalyst, want to know more? - go do a biochemistry course). A weight trainer's intense workouts will break down large amounts of skeletal muscle cells (if you've been working out properly anyway).

This and intramuscular injections can distort test results. So what did I need to tell my Doctor so we know what to worry about and what he can sigh about people wanting to have bulging muscles? The tests involve a range of enzyme markers; let's look at the ones pertinent to weight lifters.

Each of the items listed below are parameters used in the measuring of a full blood haematology profile, and it is included here just to get a full understanding, but if the truth is known only a couple of these indices are of any interest to bodybuilders.

Haemoglobin: The measure of the amount of the major blood protein of red blood cells, a low count may indicate anaemia. Poor diet and B12 and folic acid deficiency may account for this (so go eat some liver and spinach, wholesome foods)

Red cells: Now this is a strange one as it counts the number of red cells in a given quantity of blood. These blood cells are actually produced by our bone marrow and only survive for about 3 weeks, but alcohol is a player here and can cause macrocytosis. This means the cells become bigger which can cause serious problems when trying to pass through tiny capillaries.

HCT ratio PCV (haematocrit ratio, packed cell volume / MCH (average corpuscular haemoglobin / MCHC (average corpuscular haemoglobin concentrations) are all different examples of red cell indices which describe exactly what red blood cells contain and their shape.

ESR (erythocyte sedimentation rate) is a good broad indication of a patient's health. My one always comes in high when suffering from an infection (some treatments can compromise the immune system). Many inflammatory conditions can also return a high test result.

Platelets; represents the average number in a given volume of blood, and are essential for helping blood to clot (a low count could lead to bruising or prolonged bleeding from a wound). Use of Aspirin in an ECA stack can also exacerbate this!

White cell count can indicate viral or bacterial infection as this test result would rise with an infection as white cells increase and produce antibodies to combat infection (this is also a good reason to have good muscle mass - where did you think the protein to synthesis antibodies came from?)

Every test that has come before are just run of the mill tests that will be explained to the patient by his GP in the consultancy, unless there should be something really serious revealed. But the results of the tests featured in part 2; although average for big beast body builders, will knock a GP for six if he isn't used to his patients looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger. (Part 2 coming soon).