7 Essential Medical Tests Every Man Should Have

Men are notoriously bad at going to the doctor. Most wait until something is obviously wrong before booking an appointment. By then, a problem that could have been caught early has had time to develop, potentially into something much more sinister.

Preventative screening changes that. The right tests, done at the right time, can pick up conditions years before symptoms appear. Here are seven tests every man should consider, whatever his age.

If you'd rather skip the reading, our health screening packages cover these checks in one doctor-led visit at 117a Harley Street. A doctor's consultation and a review of your results are included.

1. Cardiovascular risk assessment

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in men in the UK, but it rarely arrives without warning. Years before a heart attack, there are measurable changes in cholesterol, blood pressure, glucose and blood vessel function that point to raised risk.

A proper cardiovascular assessment includes:

• Blood pressure measurement to detect hypertension
• Full lipid profile measuring total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides
• Kidney function tests measuring creatinine and eGFR, urea and electrolytes
• HbA1c to assess blood sugar control and diabetes risk
• ECG (electrocardiogram) to check heart rhythm and electrical activity

This assessment matters even more if you have a family history of heart disease, smoke, are overweight or spend most of your day sitting down. An abnormal result doesn't mean you're about to have a heart attack. It gives you time to act and put things right.

Our Essential health screen includes all of these markers as standard, and an experienced doctor explains the results to you in plain English.

2. PSA testing (prostate-specific antigen)

Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men in the UK. Around 1 in 8 men will be diagnosed during their lifetime, and the risk rises significantly after age 50.

PSA is a protein made by the prostate gland. Raised levels can point to prostate cancer, but benign conditions such as prostatitis or an enlarged prostate can raise them too. The test isn't perfect, though it's still a useful screening tool, particularly when it's tracked over time.

Current guidance suggests discussing PSA testing with your doctor from age 50. Start the conversation earlier if you have a family history of prostate cancer or are of Black African or Caribbean descent, where the risk is higher. We also offer the Stockholm3 prostate cancer screening test alongside our dedicated prostate screening packages.

Among our full body screens, the Elite men's screen includes PSA testing for men over 40, along with a full physical examination.

3. Liver function tests

Your liver processes everything you consume, from food and alcohol to medicines and supplements. It can take significant damage before you notice any symptoms, which is why routine testing is worthwhile.

Liver function tests measure enzymes and proteins that show how well the liver is working. Raised ALT, AST, GGT or bilirubin can suggest fatty liver disease, high cholesterol, alcohol-related damage, hepatitis or other conditions.

Fatty liver disease has become increasingly common, driven by rising rates of obesity and metabolic syndrome. It's often reversible if caught early, but it can progress to cirrhosis if left unaddressed. Liver function tests are part of every one of our health screening packages.

4. Diabetes screening (HbA1c and fasting glucose)

Type 2 diabetes affects over 4 million people in the UK, and many more have prediabetes without knowing it. The condition develops gradually, and the early stages often cause no symptoms at all.

Screening involves two key tests:

• Fasting glucose measures blood sugar at a single point in time
• HbA1c reflects average blood sugar control over the previous two to three months

An HbA1c between 42 and 47 mmol/mol indicates prediabetes, and above 48 mmol/mol suggests diabetes. Catching prediabetes gives you the chance to make lifestyle changes that can stop it progressing to full diabetes and its health risks. Both tests are included in all our health screening tiers.

5. Kidney function tests

Your kidneys filter waste from the blood and regulate fluid balance. Chronic kidney disease is common, but it often causes no symptoms until it's advanced.

Kidney function is checked with blood tests for urea, creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR). Urinalysis can also pick up protein or blood in the urine, which may point to kidney damage. Kidney function tests and urinalysis are included in all our health screening packages.

Risk factors include diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity and a family history of kidney disease. If any of these apply to you, regular monitoring is sensible.

6. Testosterone and male hormone profile

Testosterone levels naturally fall with age, typically by about 1 to 2 per cent a year after age 30. For most men the decline is gradual and causes no significant problems. For others, it can bring fatigue, reduced libido, difficulty concentrating, low mood and loss of muscle mass.

A male hormone profile measures testosterone (total and free), sex hormone-binding globulin (SHBG) and prolactin. Low levels may warrant further investigation and, in some cases, testosterone replacement therapy.

Hormone testing is worth considering at any age. Younger men with unexplained fatigue or mood changes may benefit from an assessment too. Our Advanced and Elite men's packages include full male hormone profiling. To discuss a low testosterone result and possible treatment, see testosterone assessment and treatment at Medical Express Clinic.

7. Bowel cancer screening

Bowel cancer is the fourth most common cancer in the UK. Survival rates are significantly better when it's caught early, which is why screening programmes exist.

The NHS offers bowel cancer screening to adults aged 60 and over, soon to be extended to those over 50. It uses a faecal immunochemical test (FIT), which detects blood in stool samples.

See a doctor, whatever your age, if you notice a change in bowel habit, blood in your stool, unexplained weight loss or abdominal pain.

If you'd like a more thorough look, our targeted bowel cancer screening packages include FIT testing, calprotectin, blood panels and, where indicated, CT colonography with consultant review.

When should you get tested?

There's no single answer. Your age, family history, lifestyle and existing health conditions all shape which tests suit you and how often to have them.

As a general guide:

• 20s and 30s: baseline cardiovascular and metabolic screening every few years, more often if you have risk factors
• 40s: add PSA testing (discuss it with your doctor), and hormone profiling if you have symptoms
• 50s and beyond: annual or biennial comprehensive screening, including cancer markers

If you've never had a health check, any age is a good time to start.

Book your health screen

Our men's health screening packages are available at healthscreening.clinic, with tiers from Essential to Ultimate. Every package includes a doctor's consultation and a review of your results.

Health MOTs run Monday to Friday at 117a Harley Street. Call 020 7183 7056 or book online.

References

• NHS. Prostate cancer: PSA testing. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/prostate-cancer/psa-testing/
• British Heart Foundation. Heart statistics. Available at: https://www.bhf.org.uk/what-we-do/our-research/heart-statistics
• Diabetes UK. Diabetes prevalence 2023. Available at: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/about-us/about-the-charity/our-strategy/statistics
• Cancer Research UK. Bowel cancer statistics. Available at: https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/bowel-cancer

Written By

Stephen Lingam

Managing Director

Managing Director of Medical Express Clinic and the Health Screening Clinic since 1984. Over 40 years of operational experience in private healthcare on Harley Street, overseeing patient care, clinical standards, and service delivery.

Medically Reviewed

Dr Mohammad Bakhtiar

MD, PhD, LRCP, MSc, DHMSA

Clinical Lead

GMC: 4694470

Leading our clinical team with a focus on comprehensive men's health and preventative oncology protocols.

Last reviewed: 25/09/2026