Key blood tests for men's health
| Test | Target/Normal Range | What it detects |
|---|---|---|
| Total Testosterone | 300–1,000 ng/dL (morning sample) | Low T — fatigue, low libido, muscle loss |
| PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) | <4.0 ng/mL (age-adjusted) | Prostate cancer risk; prostate enlargement |
| Fasting Lipid Profile (LDL) | LDL <100 mg/dL | Heart disease risk — leading cause of male death |
| Fasting Glucose / HbA1c | Glucose <100 mg/dL; HbA1c <5.7% | Diabetes; type 2 is 50% more common in men |
| CBC (Haemoglobin) | 13.5–17.5 g/dL | Anaemia; polycythaemia |
| Creatinine / eGFR | eGFR >60 | Kidney health |
| LFT (ALT, GGT) | ALT <56 U/L; GGT <48 U/L | Fatty liver; alcohol-related liver damage (GGT very sensitive) |
| Uric acid | 3.5–7.2 mg/dL | Gout risk |
PSA screening — what men need to know
PSA (prostate-specific antigen) is a protein produced by prostate cells. Elevated PSA can indicate: prostate cancer (the 2nd most common cancer in men), benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH — non-cancerous enlargement), prostatitis (infection or inflammation). PSA is not a perfect test — it can be elevated without cancer and normal with cancer. Current guidelines vary: the American Cancer Society recommends discussing PSA screening with men from age 50 (45 if high risk — Black men or family history; 40 if very high risk). A rising PSA over time (PSA velocity) is more informative than a single value.
| PSA (ng/mL) | Interpretation |
|---|---|
| <4.0 | Generally reassuring; age-adjusted thresholds vary |
| 4.0–10.0 | Borderline; 25% have prostate cancer on biopsy |
| >10.0 | High; 50%+ have prostate cancer; biopsy recommended |
Testosterone deficiency (Low T) — recognition and testing
Low testosterone (hypogonadism) is significantly underdiagnosed. It affects approximately 2–6% of men aged 40–79. Symptoms — fatigue, reduced libido, erectile dysfunction, low mood, muscle loss, belly fat gain — are non-specific and often attributed to ageing or stress. Always test morning testosterone (7–10am) as levels are 30–40% higher in the morning. If low, confirm with a repeat test and add LH/FSH to determine whether the problem is the testes (primary) or pituitary (secondary).
Recommended blood test schedule for men
Age-based screening schedule for men
- From age 20: Fasting lipid profile every 5 years; blood pressure check
- From age 35: Fasting glucose; lipid profile every 5 years
- From age 40: Testosterone (if symptoms); fasting insulin; LFT
- From age 45: Discuss PSA screening with your doctor; annual HbA1c if overweight
- From age 50: PSA; colonoscopy for colorectal cancer screening; annual metabolic panel
- All ages: CBC, creatinine, uric acid as indicated by symptoms
Lifestyle factors that most impact men's blood results
- Visceral (belly) fat: raises triglycerides, lowers HDL, raises fasting glucose and insulin resistance, and suppresses testosterone
- Alcohol: raises GGT, triglycerides and uric acid; damages liver
- Smoking: accelerates atherosclerosis; doubles heart attack risk
- Sleep apnoea (affects 40% of obese men): lowers testosterone, raises blood pressure and blood sugar
- Physical inactivity: major driver of metabolic syndrome, insulin resistance and low testosterone
Questions to ask your doctor
- Is my testosterone level low?
- Should I have a PSA test?
- What is my cardiovascular risk score?
- Is my GGT elevated due to alcohol or fatty liver?
- Should I have a colonoscopy?