Men don’t like going to the doctor. This statement is not just an aphorism or cliché. In a recent study conducted by the Cleveland Clinic, 72% of men admitted they would rather do household chores, like cleaning the bathroom or mowing the lawn, than go to the doctor for preventative healthcare. And of those men who do routinely go to see their physician, 20% admit they are not completely honest with the doctor.

The research shows that the deterrent for men seeing a doctor could be anything from being embarrassed to not wanting to make nutritional or lifestyle changes like they know the doctor may greatly encourage. And this dismissive attitude is a health threat for men.

Higher Risk Factors for Men

According to research from the National Institutes of Health, mortality rates for men are higher than for women when it comes to preventable risk factors like smoking, high blood pressure, inactive lifestyle, and obesity. These factors lead to higher instances of heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and certain cancers, like lung and prostate. A movement created in the United States to improve health and wellness, called Healthy People 2030, reports that, on average, men die five years earlier than women because of preventable health risks.

This is all the more reason that June is a particularly important month, focusing on men’s health. National Men’s Health Month is a motivator to encourage men to take better care of their health by eating right, exercising, and participating in preventative healthcare to improve overall wellness and reduce health risks.

Life-Saving Screenings for Men

There are many preventable health issues that can be managed with screenings and early detection, and that’s where Any Lab Test Now® comes in. We offer a number of tests that can screen for potential problems. These simple blood tests can provide a snapshot of your health and create a baseline for comparison in the future.

COMPREHENSIVE MALE PANEL – This panel is designed to provide a broad overview of your health. It includes blood counts, a metabolic panel, which includes kidney and liver functions, as well as heart health and hormone information. Men will also receive a PSA test to evaluate prostate health.

The Comprehensive Male Panel includes the following tests:

  • CBC with Differential/Platelets
  • Complete Metabolic Panel
  • Cholesterol (Lipid) Panel
  • PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen)
  • Testosterone (Free and Total)
  • TSH (Thyroid Stimulating Hormone)
  • HbA1C (Hemoglobin A1C)
  • DHEA-S (Helps in the evaluation of your adrenal gland function)

The Importance of Male Hormone Health

Hormones are very important to overall health. Testosterone, found in women and men, plays a vital role in men’s health. Testosterone, usually thought of as a sex hormone, is essential for the production of sperm and to enhance sex drive. However, according to the Cleveland Clinic, testosterone also signals the male body to make new red blood cells and works to keep bones and muscles strong. It also provides men with a sense of well-being.

Testosterone, like all hormones in the body, fluctuates. Typically, testosterone levels are highest in the morning and decline throughout the day. Here’s why this is important to understand. If you are feeling fatigued, weak, depressed, or generally not yourself, The Comprehensive Male Panel provided by Any Lab Test Now® can be a game-changer. Having this test done may show some abnormalities in hormone levels, which may require further testing. Because hormones are cyclical and levels may see-saw throughout the day, further hormone testing may need to be done to pinpoint specific irregularities.

The Role of Vitamins in Men’s Health

Another screening to consider is our VITAMIN D testing. Low levels of vitamin D are associated with a significantly increased risk for coronary artery disease, peripheral arterial disease, stroke, diabetes mellitus, and many causes of mortality, which can be significantly higher risk factors in men.

Because vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin, it interacts with and regulates more than 200 genes in the body and can help the body combat risk factors. The body absorbs vitamin D from the sun. If the screening test indicates you have low levels of vitamin D, your provider may recommend a supplement.

Looking Out for Your Health

At Any Lab Test Now®, we provide clear, concise, and understandable results within days of your tests. The lab tests we provide are confidential, affordable, and convenient. You own the results, and you choose how to proceed with them, whether that means consulting with your provider for further details or perhaps the results give you the peace of mind you were seeking.

If you don’t have a provider and want to seek the guidance of a doctor, you also have the option to contact our partners at DialCare. This service allows you to consult with a provider in your state about your results. The clarity you receive from a medical professional can affect the way you handle your health and can be lifesaving.

Remember, you can use your Health Savings Account (HSA) or Flexible Spending Account (FSA) to cover the costs of diagnostic lab work from Any Lab Test Now®. Whether you are looking for a screening test for hormones or other health concerns, we have thousands of tests available to you, providing comprehensive health screenings that allow you to focus on your and your family’s health.

Utilizing our diagnostic lab testing will get you the answers you need. Call now to schedule an appointment at a location near you.