Movember: The Men's Health Numbers Worth Tracking After 35

Turning 35 is a good time to get more proactive about your health. While you may feel healthy today, understanding your baseline biomarkers can help identify risk factors early and guide decisions that support long-term health and longevity.

This Movember, go beyond the annual checkup. From cardiovascular health to metabolic function and hormones, the right lab work can help you understand what's happening beneath the surface and where to focus your attention.

At The Lanby, we believe proactive healthcare starts with understanding your individual health data, not just waiting for symptoms to appear.

The Key Men's Health Biomarkers to Track After 35

1. Cardiovascular Health: Lipid Panel, ApoB and Lp(a)

Heart health deserves attention well before symptoms develop. A standard lipid panel measures total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, and triglycerides, helping assess cardiovascular risk.

For a more complete picture, consider discussing:

• Apolipoprotein B (ApoB): Helps estimate the number of cholesterol-carrying particles that can contribute to plaque buildup in arteries.
• Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a): A largely genetically determined risk factor for cardiovascular disease that is useful to measure at least once in adulthood.
• High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP): Measures systemic inflammation and may help refine cardiovascular risk assessment in certain individuals.

These markers can offer additional context beyond standard cholesterol numbers, particularly if you have a family history of early heart disease or other risk factors. 

2. Metabolic Health: HbA1c, Fasting Glucose and Fasting Insulin

Metabolic health influences energy regulation, cardiovascular risk, and the likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes.

Three useful markers to discuss with your clinician include:

• Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c): Reflects average blood sugar levels over approximately two to three months.
• Fasting glucose: Measures blood sugar at a single point in time.
• Fasting insulin: Can provide additional context about insulin production and metabolic function when interpreted alongside glucose and other clinical findings.

Diabetes screening is recommended beginning at age 35 under American Diabetes Association guidance. Fasting insulin may be helpful in selected cases, but it is not a universally recommended screening test for everyone. 

3. Kidney and Liver Function: Creatinine, eGFR, AST and ALT

Your kidneys and liver play essential roles in filtering waste, regulating metabolic processes, and maintaining overall health.

A comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) typically includes markers such as creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR), AST, and ALT.

• Creatinine and eGFR: Help assess kidney function.
• AST and ALT: Help identify potential liver injury.
• Additional testing: Urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio may be appropriate if you have diabetes, hypertension, or other kidney disease risk factors.

These results help establish a baseline and can identify changes that warrant further evaluation.

4. Hormonal Health: Total Testosterone and Thyroid Function

Changes in energy, muscle mass, libido, mood, and recovery can have multiple causes, including sleep, stress, nutrition, and hormonal changes.

Depending on your symptoms and medical history, your clinician may consider:

• Total testosterone: Evaluates testosterone levels when symptoms suggest a deficiency.
• Free testosterone and SHBG: May help clarify results when total testosterone is borderline or altered by certain conditions.
• Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH): Helps assess thyroid function, particularly when symptoms or risk factors suggest a thyroid disorder.

Testosterone testing is not a blanket screening recommendation for every asymptomatic man. If levels are low, diagnosis generally requires compatible symptoms and consistently low results on repeat morning testing. Treatment decisions should be based on a clinical evaluation, not a single number.

5. Nutrient Status and Blood Health: CBC, Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D

Nutrient status and blood health can influence energy, neurological function, bone health, and physical performance.

Depending on your diet, symptoms, medications, and medical history, your clinician may recommend:

• Complete blood count (CBC): Evaluates red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets, and can help identify anemia or other abnormalities.
• Vitamin B12: Particularly relevant when deficiency risk is elevated, such as with certain dietary patterns or medications.
• Vitamin D: May be appropriate when there are risk factors for deficiency or concerns about bone health.

More testing is not always better. The goal is to identify meaningful deficiencies or abnormalities and address them appropriately, rather than supplementing without a clear indication.

Beyond Blood Work: Other Numbers That Matter

Longevity is about more than lab results. A few additional measures provide important context for your health:

• Blood pressure: A key indicator of cardiovascular risk. Regular measurement helps identify hypertension early.
• Waist circumference: Can help assess abdominal fat and cardiometabolic risk alongside weight and other measures.
• Resting heart rate and cardiorespiratory fitness: Useful indicators to track over time as part of a broader assessment of cardiovascular health and physical function.

Your clinician can help determine which measures are most relevant and how often to reassess them based on your health history and goals.

Make Your Next Decade Your Healthiest Yet

Your health data should do more than fill a chart. It should help you understand your risks, recognize meaningful changes, and make informed decisions about what to do next.

At The Lanby, we bring primary care, functional medicine, and wellness together through a personalized approach to preventive health. Our Care Teams help connect your lab results, medical history, and lifestyle to create a plan that evolves with you.

Ready to take a more proactive approach to your health?

Schedule a complimentary Discovery Call at The Lanby to learn more about membership and how our team makes tracking your health as you age easier, more personalized, and more actionable. Your future health starts with the steps you take today.