A standard physical often includes only a few basic blood tests. A comprehensive men's health panel goes further, so your physician can look for connections between how you feel and what's going on inside. Here's what the main groups of tests measure, and why each matters.
Hormones
Total and free testosterone, estradiol and SHBG. These show how much testosterone you have, how much is available to your body, and how it's balanced against estrogen. They're best drawn in the early morning, when testosterone is usually highest. See why one testosterone test isn't enough.
Thyroid
TSH and thyroid hormone levels. The thyroid helps set your energy, weight and mood. An underactive or overactive thyroid can cause fatigue, weight change, anxiety or trouble sleeping.
Heart and cholesterol
A full lipid panel and other cardiovascular risk markers. LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol and triglycerides help estimate your long-term risk of heart disease and stroke, which are among the most important things to catch early.
Blood sugar
Glucose, A1c and insulin. A1c reflects your average blood sugar over roughly the past three months. Together these can show prediabetes or insulin resistance years before diabetes develops, while it's most reversible.
Blood count
Red and white blood cells, hemoglobin and hematocrit. These can reveal anemia, a common and treatable cause of fatigue. Hematocrit is also monitored closely in men on testosterone therapy.
Liver and kidney
A comprehensive metabolic panel. This checks how your liver and kidneys are working, along with electrolytes. It matters for overall health and for choosing medications safely.
Prostate
PSA, when appropriate. Whether to check PSA depends on your age, family history and preferences. It's a decision to make with your physician, who will explain what the result can and can't tell you.
Vitamins and minerals
Vitamin D, vitamin B12, iron and ferritin. Low levels of any of these can contribute to tiredness, low mood or poor recovery.
Why the full picture matters
Symptoms like fatigue or low drive rarely have a single cause. Looking at hormones, thyroid, blood sugar, blood count and vitamins together helps your physician find what's actually driving how you feel, instead of treating one number in isolation.
See exactly what's included in the Ora Health MD baseline labs.