Essential Health Screenings Every Man Should Get by Age

Why Men Skip Screenings — and Why That's Dangerous

Studies consistently show that men are 24% less likely than women to have visited a doctor in the past year. This avoidance has consequences: men die an average of five years earlier than women, and many of those deaths are from preventable or treatable conditions that screenings would have caught early.

Preventive health isn't about being sick — it's about catching problems when they're still small and manageable. Here's your decade-by-decade screening guide.

In Your 20s: Building the Baseline

Your 20s are when you establish the health metrics that every future screening will be compared against.

• Blood pressure: Every 1–2 years. Hypertension affects 1 in 4 men aged 20–44.
• Cholesterol panel (lipid profile): At least once by age 20, then every 4–6 years if normal.
• Testicular self-exam: Monthly. Testicular cancer peaks between ages 20–34.
• STI screening: Annually if sexually active with new partners, including HIV.
• Mental health check-in: Depression screening, especially with family history.
• Skin check: Annual mole assessment, especially with sun exposure history.

In Your 30s: Metabolic Monitoring

Metabolic changes begin quietly in your 30s. Testosterone starts declining at roughly 1% per year after age 30.

• Fasting glucose and HbA1c: Every 3 years starting at 35, or earlier if overweight (BMI ≥ 25).
• Testosterone levels: If experiencing fatigue, low libido, mood changes, or difficulty building muscle. Test total testosterone, free testosterone, and SHBG.
• Thyroid panel (TSH): If experiencing unexplained weight gain, fatigue, or cold intolerance.
• Comprehensive metabolic panel: Liver and kidney function baseline.
• Vitamin D levels: Deficiency affects up to 42% of US adults.

In Your 40s: Cardiovascular and Hormonal Deep Dive

Heart disease risk begins climbing significantly. This is also when hormonal shifts become harder to ignore.

• Advanced lipid panel: Including ApoB and Lp(a) — far more predictive than standard cholesterol alone.
• Coronary calcium score (CAC): A CT scan that detects early arterial plaque. Recommended for men with intermediate cardiovascular risk.
• Blood pressure: Annually. Systolic above 130 mmHg warrants intervention.
• Diabetes screening: Every 3 years or more frequently with risk factors.
• PSA (prostate-specific antigen): Discuss with your provider starting at 40, especially with family history of prostate cancer.
• Testosterone panel: Strongly recommended if symptomatic. Include estradiol and SHBG.
• Eye exam: Baseline comprehensive exam at 40.

In Your 50s: Cancer Surveillance Begins

• Colonoscopy: First screening at 45–50. Repeat every 10 years if normal, or more frequently with findings.
• PSA test: Annual discussion with your provider about benefits and risks.
• Lung cancer screening: Annual low-dose CT if you're a current or former heavy smoker (20+ pack-year history).
• Bone density (DEXA): If on long-term corticosteroids or with risk factors for osteoporosis.
• Hearing test: Baseline evaluation — hearing loss accelerates cognitive decline.
• Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA): One-time ultrasound for men who have ever smoked.

In Your 60s and Beyond: Full Surveillance Mode

• Annual wellness exam with full blood work: CBC, CMP, lipids, glucose, PSA, thyroid.
• Cognitive screening: Baseline assessment for dementia risk.
• Shingles vaccine: Recommended at age 50+.
• Fall risk assessment: Balance and strength evaluation.
• Vision and hearing: Annually.

The Telehealth Advantage

Many of these screenings — especially hormone panels, metabolic labs, and mental health evaluations — can be initiated through a telehealth consultation. Blood work can be ordered to a lab near you, and results reviewed virtually. Telehealth removes the most common barrier men cite for avoiding the doctor: time.

Frequently Asked Questions

What blood tests should men get annually?

At minimum, men should get a complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), lipid panel, fasting glucose or HbA1c, and thyroid function (TSH). Men over 35 or those with symptoms should also check testosterone (total and free), vitamin D, and inflammatory markers like CRP.

When should men start checking testosterone levels?

Any man experiencing symptoms of low testosterone — fatigue, low libido, difficulty concentrating, mood changes, or reduced muscle mass — should get tested regardless of age. Routine screening is particularly important starting in the mid-30s when natural decline begins.

Can I get health screenings through telehealth?

Yes. Many screenings begin with a telehealth consultation where a provider orders lab work to a local facility. You complete the blood draw at a nearby lab, and results are reviewed virtually. This is especially convenient for hormone panels, metabolic labs, and mental health evaluations.