Staying strong: The top 6 men’s health issues to prioritize

When it comes to men’s health, many concerns can be addressed with preventive healthcare, including routine screenings and annual wellness checks. Building a healthier future involves understanding your risk for common issues and knowing when to seek testing across various aspects of well-being. 

1. Know the risk of heart disease in men

The numbers don’t lie: heart disease is the leading cause of death for men in the United States. Knowing your risk for heart disease is the beginning of heart health preventive care. Several medical conditions and lifestyle factors contribute to a higher risk for heart disease. These include:

• Diabetes
• Obesity and being overweight
• Unhealthy diet (a diet high in salt, saturated fats, trans fat and cholesterol)
• Physical inactivity
• Excessive alcohol use
• Smoking

Sometimes symptoms of heart disease may not be noticeable until it’s too late. Heart attack, irregular heartbeat or heart failure may be the first noticeable signs of heart disease. Also, high blood pressure—which is said to affect nearly 50% of men—is a major risk factor for both heart disease and stroke. These highlight the importance of routine screening and your annual health check.

Maintaining a healthy weight, choosing healthier foods, monitoring your blood pressure, quitting smoking, limiting alcohol intake and lowering your stress levels are strong choices to help you avoid heart disease.

To help assess your risk of heart disease, Labcorp OnDemand’s Complete Heart Health Test (with ApoB) measures key markers of cardiovascular and metabolic health, including cholesterol, lipids, apolipoprotein B (ApoB, a major protein found on LDL "bad" cholesterol particles), GlycA (a measure of proteins that may be a predictor of inflammation) and the Diabetes Risk Index (a score for insulin resistance that evaluates Type 2 diabetes risk). For more ways to check your heart disease risk, explore Labcorp OnDemand’s full suite of heart health tests.

2. Remember that prediabetes is more than just high blood sugar

Prediabetes is when blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be diagnosed as diabetes. It is estimated that nearly 98 million U.S. adults have prediabetes, with prevalence rates higher among men (41%) than women (32%). Without taking action, many men with prediabetes go on to develop Type 2 diabetes and other chronic conditions or diseases. This includes metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) as well as chronic kidney disease (CKD) and even colorectal cancer (CRC). The risk for heart disease is higher for those who have diabetes. It is important to speak with your healthcare provider if you think you may be at risk for diabetes. 

With Type 2 diabetes, your body cannot properly use insulin, a hormone necessary for removing excess sugar (glucose) from your blood. You can be diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes at any age, but you are at higher risk if you:

• Are 45 years or older
• Are overweight
• Have a family history of diabetes
• Are not physically active

Steps taken to help prevent heart disease can also lower your risk of developing prediabetes or other health conditions.

For a comprehensive picture of your blood sugar and heart health, Labcorp OnDemand’s Diabetes Risk (HbA1c) & Cholesterol Test is a two-in-one solution that includes a cholesterol and lipid panel and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c, a measure of average blood sugar levels over 8-12 weeks).

3. Learn about the natural decrease in testosterone in men

As men age, there is a natural decline in testosterone, the main sex hormone in men. In fact, testosterone levels in men decline at an average rate of 1% to 2% per year. While this is a normal part of aging, some men may experience a greater decline, and some may be more affected by the decline than others. Low levels of testosterone can lead to hypogonadism, a condition that can cause:

• Sexual dysfunction
• Lower muscle strength
• Weakened bone strength
• Less energy
• Problems with fertility

If you’re experiencing low testosterone symptoms, talk to your healthcare provider and consider checking your testosterone levels. Labcorp OnDemand's Comprehensive Testosterone Test can provide important insights to help you and your provider understand if your testosterone levels are abnormal for your age.

4. Stay aware of your thyroid health

Thyroid disorders affect about 20 million Americans, but as many as 60% of people with thyroid disease don’t know they have it. Women are more likely to develop thyroid conditions than men; however, men may go undiagnosed more often. If left untreated, thyroid conditions can increase the risk of multiple health issues, including heart problems, osteoporosis and infertility.

Knowing the early warning signs of thyroid disease, from fatigue to unexpected changes in weight, and what your options are for thyroid testing, can help you learn more about your thyroid health. Labcorp OnDemand’s Standard Thyroid Test measures thyroid hormones to assess thyroid function and screen for specific thyroid health conditions like underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) and overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).

5. Keep an eye on inflammation

Inflammation is your body’s natural defense response to injury, infection or irritants. But when inflammation is chronic, it may be linked to an underlying health issue, such as an autoimmune disease or chronic infection. Signs of chronic inflammation may include:    

• Joint pain or stiffness
• Skin conditions like eczema, psoriasis or acne
• Digestive issues like reflux, constipation or diarrhea
• Fatigue
• Brain fog, memory issues and mood changes
• Weight gain, especially around the stomach or abdomen

To help check your inflammation status, Labcorp OnDemand’s Inflammation (hs-CRP) Test measures the level of C-reactive protein, a substance made by the liver in response to inflammation. High CRP levels may be associated with chronic inflammation, diabetes, heart disease and other serious health conditions. Remember to talk to your healthcare provider to help determine if testing is right for you and assist with interpreting your results.

6. The importance of STI testing

Prioritizing your sexual health through regular STI testing is an important act of self-care and responsibility. Many STIs can be asymptomatic, silently impacting your long-term health and potentially affecting your partners. Early detection through testing allows for timely treatment, preventing more serious complications and reducing further transmission. Taking control of your sexual health is an integral part of overall well-being, contributing to both your physical and emotional health, and fostering healthier relationships.

In 2023, more than 2.4 million sexually transmitted infections (STIs) were reported in the U.S. Recommendations for STI testing may differ depending on the individual and risk factors, but guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggest:

All sexually active people ages 13 to 64

• At least once for HIV

Sexually active men who are gay or bisexual and men who have sex with men should be tested:

• For syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhea at least once a year. Those with multiple or anonymous partners should be tested more frequently (e.g., every 3 to 6 months)
• For HIV at least once a year and may benefit from more frequent HIV testing (e.g., every 3 to 6 months)
• For hepatitis C, at least once a year, if living with HIV

For a comprehensive assessment of your sexual health, Labcorp OnDemand’s Complete STI Test screens for seven STIs—including chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and hepatitis C—and connects you with a healthcare provider for guidance and next steps if your results suggest a possible infection.

Don’t forget prostate cancer screening

The prostate plays a major role in male reproductive function—it produces prostatic fluid, which helps prolong sperm life and contributes to semen volume. Anyone with a prostate gland is at risk for prostate cancer, but the most common risk factor is age. Family history (or genetic factors) and race also play a role. Risk increases for those with more than one first-degree relative who has or has had prostate cancer, as well as in Black people assigned male at birth.

Recommendations on the age of prostate cancer screening vary based on these risk factors. For men with an average risk of prostate cancer, discussions about PSA testing with their healthcare provider typically begin around age 50. However, men at increased risk and those with family history of prostate cancer should consider starting these conversations earlier.

According to the CDC, the following symptoms are associated with prostate cancer and should be addressed immediately:

• Difficulty beginning urination
• Frequent urination, especially at night
• Interrupted urine flow
• Pain or burning during urination
• Blood in the urine or semen
• Painful ejaculation

Many men who have prostate cancer never experience symptoms, so they don’t know they have it; that’s why getting screened for prostate cancer with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test can give you and/or your healthcare provider information about next steps. Learn more about PSA tests and you can even purchase your own from Labcorp OnDemand.

Guidelines and recommended ages for testing

If you attend recommended wellness checkups, your healthcare provider may speak to you about routine screenings based on your health as you age. Age-based screenings are an important part of your overall health.

Consult the following recommendations for screenings and tests based on age:

• Men 18-39
• Men 40+

For whatever reasons—inconvenience, vulnerability, fear—many men don’t see their healthcare providers as often as they should. Checking in on your health doesn’t have to be a challenge. Explore our wide range of health test options, including thyroid health, diabetes risk, sexual health and hormone levels. Our comprehensive selection helps you find health tests tailored to your specific health concerns, supporting early detection and management.