Stress fractures are one of running's most frustrating injuries. Several blood markers reveal whether your bones are set up to handle your mileage.
Few injuries are as frustrating as a stress fracture. There is often no single moment it happens, just a slow build of load on a bone that was not quite ready for it. The good news is that several of the factors behind bone strength show up in your blood, which means risk can often be spotted early.
Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium, and calcium is the raw material your bones are built from. Low vitamin D is common in runners who train in the early morning or evening, and it quietly weakens the foundation your mileage depends on.
Sex hormones play a major role in keeping bones strong. In women, low oestrogen from high training loads or low energy availability can speed up bone loss. In men, low testosterone can do the same. These markers are easy to overlook until a fracture forces the issue.
When a runner does not eat enough to match their training, the body cuts back on processes it sees as non-essential, including bone maintenance. This pattern, known as relative energy deficiency in sport, shows up across several markers including hormones and ferritin, and bone health is one of its first casualties.
Runners ramping up mileage quickly, female runners, masters athletes, and anyone with a history of stress fractures all have good reason to check these markers. Catching a low result early gives you time to act before a small weakness becomes weeks on the sidelines.
You cannot see your bone health from the outside, but you can read many of the signals that drive it. SuperRun's RunHer and Elite panels include the vitamin and hormone markers tied to bone strength, so you can train hard on a foundation you trust.
This article is general information for runners and is not medical advice, a diagnosis, or a treatment plan. Always discuss your results and any health concerns with your GP or a qualified health professional.
SuperRun is blood testing built for runners. The Elite panel tracks 70+ biomarkers across hormones, heart, metabolism and longevity, scored against athlete performance zones. No GP referral needed, with 4,000+ collection centres across Australia.
