The core tests every man should know about
Cholesterol and heart risk. Heart disease remains one of the leading causes of death in men, and raised LDL cholesterol has no symptoms. A full lipid profile, ideally with apolipoprotein B and Lp(a), shows your risk far better than total cholesterol alone.
HbA1c. Type 2 diabetes and pre-diabetes are common from middle age, especially with weight around the middle or a family history. HbA1c shows your average blood sugar over three months.
Liver function. Liver enzymes rise with alcohol, fatty liver and some medicines. Fatty liver is increasingly common in men who drink little but carry weight around the middle.
Kidney function. Creatinine and eGFR pick up early kidney problems, which are linked to blood pressure and diabetes and have no symptoms early on.
Testosterone. Worth checking if you have low energy, low mood, reduced libido or loss of muscle. Testosterone is highest in the morning, so an early appointment gives the most reliable reading.
Thyroid and vitamin D. Both are common causes of tiredness and low mood that are easy to correct.
PSA and the prostate
PSA is a blood marker that can be raised by prostate cancer but also by an enlarged prostate, infection, recent exercise or ejaculation. Men over 50, and men over 45 who are Black or have a family history of prostate cancer, can ask for a PSA test after discussing its pros and cons. A practitioner talks you through what a result does and does not mean.
At Omnia
The Randox Everyman (92 biomarkers, £313) covers every test above, including free testosterone and PSA. For a smaller start, Omnia Essential (£90) covers blood count, cholesterol, blood sugar, liver and kidneys, and the Prostate Profile (£83) is available on its own. If you train, the Sports Performance check adds muscle and recovery markers. See every test and price.