Men's Health Panels

Men’s Health Panels bundle the most useful blood and urine tests into targeted packages so you can check key systems at once—heart and metabolic health, hormones, prostate, thyroid, kidney and liver, and infections. Many conditions start silently, so panel-based screening helps you catch changes early, prioritize follow-up, and monitor progress over time.

A proactive approach begins with a wellness baseline (CBC, CMP, lipids, A1c) and then adds focus areas: testosterone(morning) and related hormones, PSA for prostate context, TSH for thyroid, urinalysis/ACR for kidneys, and liver enzymes. When history suggests, include STI and hepatitis screening. Panels support screening, diagnostic triage, and monitoring, but they do not replace a clinician’s exam, shared decision-making, or imaging when indicated.

Signs, Symptoms & Related Situations

• Sexual & urologic: low libido, erectile difficulties, reduced morning erections, urinary frequency/urgency, weak stream

• Energy & hormones: fatigue, low mood, brain fog, increased body fat, reduced muscle mass, hot flashes, gynecomastia

• Heart & metabolism: central weight gain, high blood pressure, high triglycerides/low HDL, elevated fasting glucose or A1c

• Thyroid clues: cold intolerance, hair thinning, weight change, constipation, palpitations

• Lifestyle & risk: snoring/sleep apnea, heavy alcohol use, new medications or supplements, family history of early heart disease or prostate cancer

• Seek urgent care now: chest pain, severe shortness of breath, weakness on one side, confusion, black/bloody stools, or erection >4 hours

All symptoms and risks should be evaluated by a qualified clinician.

Why These Tests Matter

What panel testing can do

• Screen silently evolving conditions (cardiometabolic disease, thyroid disorders, low testosterone patterns)

• Stratify risk and guide next steps using bundled markers (e.g., A1c + lipids + ApoB, PSA with age/risk context)

• Track trends efficiently—same markers, consistent methods, comparable intervals

What panel testing cannot do

• Diagnose the exact cause of symptoms by itself or replace a physical exam

• Serve as standalone treatment guidance or dosing advice

• Predict outcomes without considering history, exam, and imaging when appropriate

What These Tests Measure (at a glance)

• CBC: red/white cells, platelets—anemia, infection, bleeding-risk context.

• CMP: electrolytes; kidney (creatinine/eGFR); liver (AST/ALT, bilirubin, albumin).

• Lipid Panel (± ApoB, Lp[a]): LDL/HDL/triglycerides; ApoB and Lp(a) refine cardiovascular risk.

• A1c ± Fasting Glucose/Insulin: long- and short-term glucose control; insulin resistance context.

• hs-CRP (steady-state): inflammation marker to refine heart risk.

• Thyroid (TSH ± Free T4): screens for hypo- or hyperthyroidism.

• Testosterone (AM) ± Free T/SHBG: androgen status; LH/FSH and prolactin help localize cause if low/borderline.

• PSA (age/risk-based): prostate context; consider % free PSA/PHI in specific borderline situations (clinician-directed).

• Vitamin D, B12, Ferritin/Iron Studies: fatigue, bone/muscle, and anemia context.

• Urinalysis • Urine ACR: infection, hematuria, and early kidney damage signals.

• Infection screens (as indicated): STI NAATs, hepatitis panels, HIV 4th-generation.

Quick Build Guide

How the Testing Process Works

1. Choose your panel(s): most start with a wellness baseline, then add focus panels (hormone, prostate, heart, thyroid, kidney/liver, sexual health).

2. Prepare for accuracy: schedule morning draws for testosterone; fast only if your panel includes fasting lipids or fasting glucose.

3. Provide samples: standard blood draw and, when included, a clean-catch urine sample.

4. Get results securely: most panels post within a few days to your account.

5. Review & plan: discuss results with your clinician; set a follow-up cadence and any imaging or referrals.

Interpreting Results (General Guidance)

• A1c or fasting glucose elevated: increased diabetes risk—monitor trends and discuss follow-up.

• LDL/ApoB high or Lp(a) elevated: higher cardiovascular risk—review options with your clinician.

• TSH abnormal: thyroid disorder possible; Free T4 clarifies the direction.

• Low/borderline AM testosterone: repeat in the morning; consider free T/SHBG and LH/FSH.

• PSA changes: trends matter more than one value; reflex tests only when indicated.

• Abnormal kidney/liver results: confirm and recheck; consider hydration, medications, and history.
  Always interpret patterns with a qualified healthcare professional; trends and context matter most.

Choosing Panels vs. Individual Tests

• Foundational panel: CBC • CMP • Lipid panel • A1c • TSH

• Hormone panel: AM Total Testosterone • Free T/SHBG • LH/FSH • Prolactin • TSH

• Prostate panel (as appropriate): PSA (± % Free PSA/PHI per clinician)

• Cardiometabolic panel: A1c • Lipids • hs-CRP • CMP (± ApoB • Lp(a))

• Kidney/Liver panel: CMP • Urinalysis (± Urine ACR • GGT • Ferritin/Iron)

• Sexual health panel: STI NAATs • Hepatitis panels • HIV 4th-gen

• Nutrient/Anemia panel: Vitamin D • B12 • Ferritin/Iron studies

FAQs

Which panel should most men start with?
A wellness baseline—CBC, CMP, lipids, A1c, TSH—then add hormone, prostate, or other panels based on age, risk, and goals.

Do I need to fast?
Only if your panel includes fasting lipids or fasting glucose. Hormone panels usually don’t require fasting.

When should I test testosterone?
Test in the morning. Repeat a low or borderline result and consider free T/SHBG and LH/FSH.

Is PSA screening right for me?
Use shared decision-making with your clinician, considering age, family history, ancestry, and personal values.

How often should I repeat panels?
Commonly every 6–12 months; sooner if results are abnormal or risk is high—follow your clinician’s plan.

Can supplements or workouts affect results?
Yes. Some supplements and strenuous exercise can alter enzymes or hs-CRP. List products and avoid hard workouts 24–48 hours before some tests.

Are home finger-prick tests equivalent to lab draws?
Venous lab testing offers broader panels and validated methods. Use consistent methods for reliable trends.

Related Test Categories & Key Tests

• Men’s Health Tests Hub

• Low T and Testosterone Replacement Therapy (TRT) • Erectile Dysfunction (ED) Tests • Fertility Test for Men • Prostate Health • Heart & Cardiovascular Risk • Diabetes Health • Thyroid Tests • Kidney Health

• Key Tests: CBC • CMP • Lipid Panel (± ApoB, Lp[a]) • A1c • hs-CRP • TSH • Free T4 • Total Testosterone (AM) • Free Testosterone • SHBG • LH • FSH • Prolactin • PSA (± % Free PSA/PHI) • Vitamin D • B12 • Ferritin • Iron/TIBC • Transferrin Saturation • Urinalysis • Urine ACR • Creatinine/eGFR

References

• American Urological Association — Testosterone Deficiency; Early Detection of Prostate Cancer; Erectile Dysfunction guidelines.
• Endocrine Society — Testosterone Therapy in Men with Hypogonadism guideline.
• American College of Cardiology/American Heart Association — Cholesterol guideline and risk assessment tools.
• American Diabetes Association — Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes.
• American Thyroid Association — Thyroid Function Testing guidance.
• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention — STI screening recommendations.
• U.S. Preventive Services Task Force — Cardiometabolic and prostate screening recommendations.

Available Tests & Panels

Your Men’s Health Panels menu is pre-populated in the Ulta Lab Tests system. Start with a wellness baseline and add focus panels (hormone, prostate, heart, thyroid, kidney/liver, sexual health) as needed. Use filters to tailor markers (e.g., ApoB, Lp[a], % free PSA/PHI, free T/SHBG) and set reminders to trend results over time. Review outcomes with your clinician to finalize follow-up and next steps.