The average American man will not go for a routine health checkup.
The average American man is more likely to suffer from heart disease, diabetes, and stroke, as compared to women.
Don’t be the average American man. Get a men’s health screening or men’s health panel.
Let’s dig into seven essential questions to ask when deciding to take charge of your health with a men’s health screening.
What is a men’s health screening?
A men's health screening is a combination of medical tests that evaluate your health to determine if you are at risk for certain diseases and conditions now or in the future and can be used to encourage you to adopt a healthy lifestyle.
What screenings do men need?
Although your primary care physician or medical practitioner can help you determine which men’s health screening to get, your symptoms and medical history can give you a better baseline for which health screenings are right for your specific needs.
There are several screenings for men’s health, but some of the most popular tests include:
Blood pressure screening
Your blood pressure is an indicator of how hard your heart is working to pump blood to every part of your body. High blood pressure (130/80+) usually signals a problem with the flow of blood, maybe a blockage. An extreme blockage could lead to a heart attack or stroke, major medical emergencies that often lead to death. Blood pressure screenings ideally should occur every time you visit the doctor and potentially every day if you are high-risk.
Cholesterol check
Similar to blood pressure readings, your cholesterol levels can reveal important aspects of your current heart health. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that helps your body run properly by making hormones, vitamin D, and more, but too much can be deadly.
The cholesterol test measures the amount of cholesterol in your blood to determine the risk of plaque buildup in your arteries that can also lead to heart disease, heart attack, or stroke.
Physical exam
This exam measures your basic bodily functions to provide early detection of disease as well as a possible prevention measure. Most physical exams will look at your weight, height, and body mass index (BMI).
Diabetes screening
Since diabetes is prevalent in society (14.6% in men and 9.1% in women), diabetes testing should be an essential component of your men’s health screening. There are different types of diabetes screenings, but all measure the amount of sugar (insulin) in your blood to determine how fast your body metabolizes it. Slow sugar metabolism or insulin resistance are potential signs of diabetes risk.
Thyroid panel
Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped organ in your neck. It impacts just about every bodily system, so checking to make sure it is functioning properly is essential.
A thyroid panel includes tests that measure the amount of hormones your thyroid is producing.
Additional wellness tests
Life is in the blood, so of course, tests that examine various factors and functions in your blood are good indicators of your health condition. The following tests will evaluate your body’s electrolytes and liver and kidney function as well as your potential cardiovascular risks:
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Complete metabolic panel (CMP)
- Highly sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP)
- And more!
The onset and frequency of these tests differ based on current health, age, and other factors, but generally, most should be performed at least once a year.
What should you expect at a men’s health screening?
For approximately 61% of men, the thought of going to the doctor to be poked and prodded is not something they are eager to do, but early detection of possible health problems is sure to produce better health outcomes for men.
So instead of toughing it out, prepare for screenings by compiling a list of tough questions to ask your doctor as well as a list of your current medications and immunizations. Also, be sure to find out if you need to do anything before your appointment, such as fasting for a set number of hours or getting a good night’s rest.
You should expect low-invasive procedures (weight, height, blood pressure, and blood sugar checks) from a nurse or medical assistant and more in-depth exams and questions from your doctor.
What tests should a man have at 40 and older?
As you age, you are more likely to develop health issues, so there are certain health screenings for men that should be a part of your yearly checkup.
Some of the tests that men over 40 should have performed on a yearly or bi-yearly basis include:
- Blood tests and urinalysis (every two years)
- Blood pressure screenings (every two years)
- Cholesterol checks (varies-discuss with your doctor)
- EKGs (every four years)
- Prostate Exams (varies-discuss with your doctor)
- Testosterone screening (varies-discuss with your doctor)
- And more!
Your healthcare provider can suggest men’s health screenings based on several factors, including your medical history, genetics, and lifestyle.
What is included in an annual physical exam for men?
Every medical care provider is different, so annual physical exams for men can vary, but most will include tests that measure your blood pressure, blood glucose, and BMI as well as a look at the functionality of your lungs, ears, throat, prostate, and testicles.
If you are over 40, overweight, or have a family history of medical issues, a more in-depth men’s health panel may be best for understanding your current health condition.
What is a men’s health screening checklist?
It’s not enough to see a doctor from time to time or even go for a basic annual checkup; filling out a men’s health screening checklist and discussing it with your doctor is crucial for making informed healthcare decisions.
We have included a sample chart that you can use for your next screening.
Who does health screenings?
Men’s health screenings can be performed at your doctor’s office, a general clinic, or a medical testing lab such as ARCpoint Labs.
Although health screenings can be performed in a variety of settings, only a few can provide a comprehensive all-in-one test with same-day appointments, fast turn-around, and HSA/FSA payment options.
Your local ARCpoint Labs is a medical testing provider that offers a men’s health panel that covers most of the men’s health screening tests as discussed earlier along with more tests that give you a detailed view of your health.
ARCpoint Labs’ men’s health panel includes the following:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
- Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP)
- Highly Sensitive C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP)
- Hemoglobin A1C
- Iron, TIBC
- Lipid Panel
- Lipoprotein (a)
- Thyroid Panel (TSH, Free T3, Free T4)
- Urinalysis, Complete
- Vitamin D, 25-OH, Total
Getting a men’s health screening doesn’t have to be a hassle. You can get accurate, reliable, and confidential testing for a fraction of the usual hospital or lab costs and without the insurance pitfalls. Schedule your men’s health panel from ARCpoint Labs today!