Analyzing Julian's Blood Work: Natty or Not?

In a recent analysis of Julian's blood work, Coach Greg Doucette dives deep into the metrics to determine whether Julian is a natural athlete or using performance-enhancing drugs. This article summarizes the findings and discusses the implications of Julian's health based on his blood test results.

Introduction

Blood work can reveal a lot about an individual’s health, especially for those in the fitness and bodybuilding community. In the case of Julian, who underwent testing on June 3rd, there were several indicators that raised questions about his natural status. This blog post will summarize the key findings from the analysis of his blood work and what they might mean for his health.

Key Findings from Blood Work

Red Blood Cell Count and Thalassemia Trait

One of the first observations was Julian's high red blood cell (RBC) count. While elevated RBC levels can indicate steroid use, Coach Greg suggests that Julian might have a thalassemia trait, a genetic condition common among 6% of African Americans. This is supported by the fact that his mean corpuscular volume (MCV) is low, which is atypical for steroid users. Thus, Julian's elevated RBC levels may not be due to drug use but rather his genetic background.

Fasting Glucose and A1C Levels

Julian's fasting glucose level was measured at 92 mg/dL, indicating he may be on the verge of pre-diabetes, especially since his A1C was at 5.6%. This raises concerns about his insulin sensitivity, which could be influenced by his muscle mass and diet.

Liver Enzymes and Creatinine Levels

Julian's liver enzymes (ALT) were elevated, which can often be a sign of steroid use. However, Coach Greg suggests that this could also be a result of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, commonly associated with insulin resistance. Additionally, Julian's creatinine levels were high, likely due to creatine supplementation rather than steroid use.

Hormonal Indicators

His testosterone levels were found to be high but not suspiciously so, with normal luteinizing hormone (LH) and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels. If Julian had been using performance-enhancing drugs, these levels would typically be suppressed. This further supports the idea that he may be a natural athlete.

Insulin Resistance and Overall Health

The analysis of Julian's hom insulin resistance score showed he is slightly above the healthy range at 1.5. This is concerning, especially for someone so young and fit. Coach Greg emphasizes the need for Julian to focus on improving his insulin sensitivity through increased cardio and maintaining a balanced diet.

Recommendations for Julian

Incorporate more cardiovascular exercise to improve insulin sensitivity.
Avoid aggressive bulking or cutting strategies that could exacerbate health issues.
Consider supplements like GO2 Max and Turk Builder Max for overall health and fitness support.
Stay aware of mental health and manage stress levels.

Conclusion

While the blood work presents several red flags, it appears that Julian is likely natural. Coach Greg concludes that Julian's impressive physique could be attributed to genetics rather than performance-enhancing drugs. However, the potential for pre-diabetes and insulin resistance is a significant concern that Julian must address moving forward to maintain his health.

Key Takeaways

Julian's high RBC count may be attributed to a genetic thalassemia trait rather than steroid use.
Fasting glucose and A1C levels indicate he is borderline pre-diabetic.
High liver enzymes could suggest non-alcoholic fatty liver disease rather than steroid use.
Normal testosterone, LH, and FSH levels support the idea that he is natural.
Julian should focus on improving his insulin sensitivity through diet and exercise.