Do you want a general health check or to see how you can improve your lifestyle to stay healthy? This is our most advanced finger-prick test for men, an excellent choice if you'd like to check your liver and kidney function, testosterone levels, cholesterol status, and nutritional markers.
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You have the flexibility to choose what works best for you. Enjoy the comfort of having a friendly nurse visit your home for a quick blood draw, opt for a convenient visit to one of our nationwide partner clinics, or self-arrange a draw at a location that suits you.
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Our portal, your results
Track, improve, and monitor your health over time.
MyMedichecks is your personal online dashboard where you can view your results, access clear and simple explanations about individual health markers, monitor changes in your health, and securely store information about your medical history, lifestyle and vital statistics.
What's in the test?
Cholesterol status
Total cholesterol
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Cholesterol is an essential fat (lipid) in the body. Although it has a bad reputation it has some important functions, including building cell membranes and producing a number of essential hormones including testosterone and oestradiol. Cholesterol is manufactured in the liver and also comes from the food we eat. Although there are a number of different types of cholesterol, the two main components of total cholesterol are HDL (high density lipoprotein) which is protective against heart disease and LDL (low density lipoprotein) which, in high levels, can contribute to cardiovascular disease. Your total cholesterol result on its own is of limited value in understanding your risk of heart disease; high levels of HDL cholesterol can cause a raised total cholesterol result but may actually be protective against heart disease. Equally, you can have a normal total cholesterol level but have low levels of protective HDL cholesterol. The most important factors are how much HDL and LDL cholesterol you have, and what proportion of your total cholesterol is made up of protective HDL cholesterol. We give a detailed breakdown of the components of your total cholesterol in the rest of this cholesterol profile.
LDL cholesterol
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LDL cholesterol (low-density lipoprotein) is a molecule made of lipids and proteins which transports cholesterol, triglycerides and other fats to various tissues throughout the body. Too much LDL cholesterol, commonly called 'bad cholesterol', can cause fatty deposits to accumulate inside artery walls, potentially leading to atherosclerosis and heart disease.
Non-HDL cholesterol
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Your total cholesterol is broken down into 2 main components; HDL (good) cholesterol and LDL (bad). There are more types of harmful cholesterol in your blood than just LDL - these include VLDL (very low-density lipoproteins) and other lipoproteins which are thought to be even more harmful than LDL cholesterol. Non-HDL cholesterol is calculated by subtracting your HDL cholesterol value from your total cholesterol. It therefore includes all the non-protective and potentially harmful cholesterol in your blood, not just LDL. As such, it is considered to be a better marker for cardiovascular risk than total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol. The recommended level of non-HDL cholesterol is below 4 mmol/L.
HDL cholesterol
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HDL cholesterol (high-density lipoprotein) is a molecule in the body which removes cholesterol from the bloodstream and transports it to the liver where it is broken down and removed from the body in bile. HDL cholesterol is commonly known as 'good cholesterol'.
Total cholesterol : HDL
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The cholesterol/HDL ratio is calculated by dividing your total cholesterol value by your HDL cholesterol level. It is used as a measure of cardiovascular risk because it gives a good insight into the proportion of your total cholesterol which is good (i.e. high-density lipoprotein HDL). Heart disease risk tools (such as QRisk) use the cholesterol/HDL ratio to calculate your risk of having a heart attack.
Triglycerides
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Triglycerides are a type of fat (lipid) that circulate in the blood. After you eat, your body converts excess calories (whether from fat or carbohydrates) into triglycerides which are then transported to cells to be stored as fat. Your body then releases triglycerides when required for energy.
Hormones
Testosterone
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Testosterone is a hormone that causes male characteristics. For men, it helps to regulate sex drive and has a role in controlling bone mass, fat distribution, muscle mass, strength and the production of red blood cells and sperm. Testosterone is produced in the testicles of men and, in much smaller amounts, in the ovaries of women. Testosterone levels in men naturally decline after the age of 30, although lower than normal levels can occur at any age and can cause low libido, erectile dysfunction, difficulty in gaining and maintaining muscle mass and lack of energy. Although women have much lower amounts of testosterone than men, it is important for much the same reasons, playing a role in libido, the distribution of muscle and fat and the formation of red blood cells. All laboratories will slightly differ in the reference ranges they apply because they are based on the population they are testing. The normal range is set so that 95% of men will fall into it. For greater consistency, we use the guidance from the British Society for Sexual Medicine (BSSM) which advises that low testosterone can be diagnosed when testosterone is consistently below the reference range, and that levels below 12 nmol/L could also be considered low, especially in men who also report symptoms of low testosterone or who have low levels of free testosterone.
Iron status
Ferritin
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Ferritin is a protein which stores iron in your cells and tissues. Usually, the body incorporates iron into haemoglobin to be transported around the body, but when it has a surplus, it stores the remaining iron in ferritin for later use. Measuring ferritin levels gives us a good indication of the amount of iron stored in your body.
Kidney health
Creatinine
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Creatinine is a chemical waste molecule that is generated from normal muscle metabolism. Measurement of this is an indicator of the levels of other waste products in the body. Creatinine is also an accurate marker of kidney function, and may help in diagnosing kidney disease.
eGFR
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The estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) assesses how well the kidneys are working by estimating the amount of blood filtered through the kidneys. The glomeruli are tiny filters in the kidneys responsible for removing waste products. If these filters do not do their job properly, kidney function can be impaired. The eGFR calculation is an estimate of actual glomerular filtration rate, calculated using your age, gender, ethnicity, and serum creatinine levels.
Liver health
Bilirubin
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Bilirubin is a product of the breakdown of haemoglobin from red blood cells. It is removed from the body via the liver, stored and concentrated in the gallbladder and secreted into the bowel. It is removed from your body through urine and faeces. Bilirubin causes the yellowish colour you sometimes see in bruises, due to red blood cells breaking down underneath the skin.
ALP
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Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) is an enzyme found mainly in the liver and bones. Measuring it can indicate ongoing liver, gallbladder or bone disease.
ALT
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Alanine transferase (ALT) is an enzyme which is mostly found in the liver, but is also found in smaller amounts in the heart, muscles and the kidneys. If the liver is damaged, ALT is leaked into to bloodstream. As ALT is predominantly found in the liver, it is usually an accurate marker for liver inflammation and can indicate liver damage caused by alcohol, fatty liver, drugs or viruses (hepatitis).
Gamma GT
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Gamma GT, also known as gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), is a liver enzyme which is raised in liver and bile duct diseases. It is used in conjunction with ALP to distinguish between bone or liver disease. Gamma GT is also used to diagnose alcohol abuse as it is raised in 75% of long term drinkers.
Vitamins
Vitamin B12 - active
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Vitamin B12 is important for production of red blood cells which carry oxygen around the body. B12 is also involved in metabolism and the nervous system and prolonged lack of vitamin B12 may cause nerve damage. Although Vitamin B12 is almost entirely found in animal-based foods, many vegetarian and vegan products, especially plant milks are now fortified with Vitamin B12.
Vitamin D
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Despite its name, vitamin D is actually a hormone that’s produced by your skin when it’s exposed to sunshine. Before your body can use vitamin D produced by sun exposure (known as vitamin D3), it must be converted into another form called 25 hydroxycholecalciferol (25 OH). Vitamin D (25 OH) is the major circulating form of vitamin D, and so your vitamin D (25 OH) level is considered the most accurate indicator of vitamin D supply to your body.
Vitamin D is essential for healthy bones and teeth, as it helps your body absorb calcium. It also plays a role in muscle health, immune function, and mental health.
Low vitamin D symptoms include muscle weakness, mood swings, and fatigue. Many people in the UK have low vitamin D levels, and people with dark skin and people who don’t spend much time outdoors are particularly at risk.
Small amounts of vitamin D can be obtained from food, especially oily fish, eggs, and vitamin-D fortified foods. But if you have a vitamin D deficiency, you’re unlikely to be able to improve your levels by food alone.
How to prepare for your test
Prepare for your Men’s Ultimate At Home Blood Test by following these instructions. Take your sample between 6am and 10am. Take this test when any symptoms of short-term illness have settled. Avoid heavy exercise for 48 hours beforehand. Avoid fatty foods for eight hours before your test, you do not need to fast. Stay well hydrated before your test. Avoid taking a finger-prick sample from a finger used to handle hormone gels in the past 4 weeks. Use gloves when applying these. Take your sample at least 24 hours after any vitamin or mineral supplements. Do not take biotin supplements for two days before this test, discuss this with your doctor if it is prescribed. Do not take vitamin B12 for two weeks prior to this test. If your B12 is prescribed ask your doctor whether to stop.
Test limitations
We can't provide exact numerical results for active vitamin B12 levels above 150 pmol/L — these results will be displayed as ">150 pmol/L".
Reviews
FAQs
Why check testosterone levels?
Testosterone is responsible for male characteristics and plays a role in body composition, such as the balance between muscle and fat, libido, mood, and energy levels. Checking whether you have a healthy testosterone level for your age can help you to investigate why you are not building muscle mass or the cause of weight gain or low libido.
Why are liver, kidney, and cholesterol markers important for men?
By looking at your liver and kidney function, along with your cholesterol status, you can identify related risk factors that may be caused by eating or drinking too much. That’s important because having high cholesterol can cause fatty deposits to build up in your arteries over time, which raises your risk of cardiovascular disease. Your liver is one of your most important organs and has many functions, such as breaking down food and converting it to energy, getting rid of waste and toxins, and manufacturing and regulating some hormones. Your kidneys are also responsible for filtering waste products from your body.
What does a men's blood test show?
Our Men's Ultimate At Home Blood Test measures your liver and kidney function, heart health, inflammation, iron status, vitamins B12 and D, and testosterone. It's our most advanced home finger-prick test for men and is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a general health MOT or to see how you can proactively improve your lifestyle to stay healthy.
What is a men’s health check?
Our Men’s Ultimate at Home Blood Test provides a general health check and is suitable for men of all ages. It can test for potential chronic health conditions before physical symptoms appear and spot nutrition and dietary issues, which can be resolved by lifestyle changes. This men’s health blood check won’t diagnose a condition, but it can give you an insight into your health.
Our guide to health and wellness explains more.
Can you increase testosterone?
There are natural ways to increase or boost testosterone that involve adapting lifestyle factors like getting the right amount of exercise and sleep, reducing stress, and eating a healthy diet that includes sources of vitamin D and zinc. A low testosterone level alone doesn't need treatment.
Our guide to men’s hormones answers testosterone FAQs.
Is heart disease hereditary?
Having a family history of early heart disease can increase the risk of developing heart disease. While inherited heart conditions are passed on through families, some lifestyle factors can also increase your risk of heart disease like having high cholesterol, being overweight or obese, having diabetes, smoking, having an unhealthy diet and being physically inactive.
What are the signs of liver disease?
Often, there are no obvious signs or symptoms of liver disease until the disease has progressed to an advanced stage. If liver disease is left undiagnosed and untreated, it can lead to irreparable liver damage which can cause problems in your body.
Have a look at the signs and symptoms of liver disease.
Why have the male reference ranges for testosterone changed?
The reference range for testosterone has been adjusted to have a lower limit of 12 nmol/L to reflect guidance from the British Society for Sexual Medicine (BSSM) 2022.
Our medical advice regarding testosterone levels remains the same and we advise that if your total testosterone level is between the range of 8-12 nmol/L and you have symptoms of low testosterone you may be considered eligible for testosterone replacement therapy. If your testosterone level falls within this range but you have no symptoms this is considered satisfactory and no further action is required.