Supplement Deficiencies
Iron, vitamin D, and calcium are commonly needed in this group of people who exercise regularly.
Who are athletes or physically active individuals?
A common pre-workout stimulant, this compound improves alertness, reduces perceived exertion, and enhances endurance by antagonizing adenosine receptors.
What is caffeine?
Using multiple supplements at the same time or for long periods may cause this.
What is risk of adverse effects or supplement stacking?
This type of test checks kidney function to ensure supplement safety, especially with high protein intake or fat-soluble vitamins.
What are serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) tests?
Excess magnesium from supplements can upset the digestive system, most often causing this common symptom.
What is diarrhea?
Pharmacists may recommend supplementing this electrolyte to prevent exercise-associated muscle cramps, but excessive intake can cause hyperkalemia.
What is potassium?
This supplement improves high-intensity exercise performance by increasing phosphocreatine stores.
What is creatine?
Before prescribing high-dose vitamin D, pharmacists check this mineral’s level to prevent hypercalcemia and kidney damage.
What is serum calcium?
Monitoring this helps ensure hydration and electrolyte balance during intense training.
What are sodium, potassium, and fluid status tests?
Excess iron can harm the stomach and intestines, resulting in this digestive complication.
What is stomach irritation / gastric ulcers / gastrointestinal bleeding?
This fat-soluble vitamin acts as a cofactor for gamma-carboxylation of clotting factors; deficiency increases bleeding risk.
✔ What is vitamin K?
This supplement, often combined with creatine, may enhance strength gains but requires monitoring of renal function in high doses.
What is beta-alanine or protein supplements?
When an athlete shows mild signs of a micronutrient deficiency but no urgent health risks, this is the recommended first step to correct it.
What is dietary modification?
These markers are used to track muscle damage or inflammation after strenuous exercise.
What are creatine kinase (CK) and C-reactive protein (CRP) levels?
Chronic overuse of pre-workout supplements containing stimulants may lead to this cardiovascular risk.
What is hypertension or arrhythmia?
Numbness, tingling, and impaired coordination in vegetarian athletes may indicate deficiency of this vitamin.
What is vitamin B12?
Proper dosage, timing, and formulation are essential to maximize this benefit.
What is performance enhancement?
Checking a supplement for banned substances or contamination before use.
What is doping or contamination screening?
Monitoring this hormone helps detect overtraining syndrome, chronic stress, and inadequate recovery in competitive athletes.
What is cortisol?
Supplements contaminated with heavy metals such as lead or mercury may cause these systemic toxic effects.
What are neurotoxicity, nephrotoxicity, or organ damage
Deficiency of this trace element reduces activity of thyroid peroxidase, decreasing T3/T4 production and basal metabolism.
What is iodine?
This supplement acts as an extracellular buffering agent to reduce hydrogen ion accumulation and delay muscle fatigue during high-intensity exercise.
What is sodium bicarbonate?
Daily intake above 400 mg of this stimulant is considered unsafe and provides no added benefit.
What is caffeine?
Daily intake of vitamin D above this amount in IU can increase the risk of toxicity in athletes.
What is 4,000 IU?
Supplements contaminated with prohibited substances can lead to this unintentional violation.
What is inadvertent doping?