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FREE SHIPPING ON USA SUPPLEMENT ORDERS OVER $75USD
FREE SHIPPING ON INTL SUPPLEMENT ORDERS OVER $150USD
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+1 518-558-4528
+1 833-933-2106
+1 833-933-2106
support@over40alphacoffeeshop.com
In this episode, Funk Roberts shares a comprehensive guide to men’s blood work over 40, emphasizing the importance of understanding your health data to prevent serious issues. He discusses key blood tests, how to interpret results, and actionable steps to take control of your health.
00:00 Introduction to men’s blood work over 40
00:58 The gradual decline of health and warning signs
01:51 Why blood work can reveal hidden health issues
03:02 Categories of blood tests: reference ranges, thresholds, trends
04:37 Common reasons men avoid blood tests and how to overcome them
06:25 Understanding the three categories of blood work
11:11 The foundational annual blood panel for men over 40
17:51 Interpreting the hormone panel: testosterone, SHBG, LH, FSH
27:34 Heart, metabolic, and inflammation markers
32:36 Preparing for blood tests: tips for accuracy
35:10 Action plan: taking control of your health
Before we get started, today’s coaching is for education only.
I am not diagnosing anyone, prescribing treatment or replacing your doctor. Bloodwork must be interpreted alongside your symptoms, medical history, medications, family history and physical examination.
Do not stop medication, start hormone therapy or change supplements based solely on today’s call.
Use this information to become a better advocate for your health and have a more informed conversation with your healthcare provider.
Brothers, let me start with a hard truth.
Most men do not lose their health overnight.
They lose it quietly.
Because nothing hurts, we call it aging.
We say:
“I’m just getting older.”
“I don’t recover like I used to.”
“I guess gaining belly fat is normal at my age.”
“I’m tired because I’m busy.”
But what if your body has been giving you warning signs the entire time?
What if those signs were showing up in your bloodwork years before you developed a serious health problem?
At 57 years old, I do not want to guess about my health.
I have experienced what it feels like when your hormones, energy, mental health and physical health are not where they should be.
There was a time when I gained weight, struggled emotionally and dealt with low testosterone. I could have accepted that decline as part of getting older.
But I did not.
I started learning how the body works, what testosterone does, how lifestyle affects our hormones and why men need to understand their health data.
That does not mean becoming obsessed with every number.
It means paying attention.
If you owned a high-performance vehicle, you would not wait for the engine to seize before checking the oil.
Today, I am going to show you which blood tests men over 40, 50 and 60 should discuss with their doctors, what the major markers reveal and how to create your own personal health dashboard.
The goal is not to become your own doctor.
The goal is to become an informed man who knows the right questions to ask.
CHAT ENGAGEMENT QUESTION
Type “YES” in the chat if you have had bloodwork completed within the past 12 months.
Now type “NO” if it has been longer than one year or you cannot remember.
Do not post your private results in the public chat. Just answer yes or no.
Here is one of the biggest mistakes men make.
We wait for pain.
We believe that if something serious were happening, we would feel it.
But many major health conditions can develop quietly.
The body is incredibly good at compensating.
That is both a blessing and a curse.
Your body can keep you functioning while something underneath the surface is moving in the wrong direction.
That is why a man can say, “I feel fine,” while his waist circumference, blood pressure, blood sugar and cardiovascular risk are all increasing.
There are five reasons men avoid bloodwork.
Some men are afraid of what they might discover.
But ignoring a number does not make the problem disappear.
Early information gives you options.
Men do not always want to admit they are tired, struggling sexually, gaining fat or feeling mentally flat.
We try to push through everything.
But asking for help is not weakness.
Taking ownership of your health is strength.
Most men do not know which tests to request.
They get a basic physical, are told everything is normal and walk away without understanding what was tested.
When every man around you is overweight, tired and taking multiple medications, poor health can start looking normal.
Common does not mean healthy.
The healthcare system is excellent at treating emergencies and diagnosed disease.
But you must take responsibility for prevention, follow up and lifestyle.
Your doctor is part of your health team, but you are the only person living in your body every day.
KEY LINE
Before we discuss individual markers, you must understand three different categories.
These are:
A reference range is the interval printed next to your result.
It is created using data from a reference population and is specific to the laboratory, testing method, measurement units and sometimes your age and sex.
A result must be interpreted in context.
This is especially important with free testosterone, estradiol, thyroid hormones, magnesium and other markers where testing methods and ranges can differ.
Always look at the units.
A result of 10 means nothing unless you know:
A diagnostic threshold is a recognized medical cutoff used to help identify a condition.
For example:
For fasting glucose:
For testosterone, the American Urological Association uses total testosterone below 300 ng/dL as a reasonable cutoff supporting testosterone deficiency.
But one low result does not diagnose low testosterone.
The man must also have compatible symptoms, and testosterone should be low on two separate early morning tests.
That is a massive point.
One number is not a diagnosis.
This may be the most powerful category.
Your trend tells you whether a marker is stable, improving or gradually moving in the wrong direction.
Imagine your fasting glucose results are:
But the trend deserves attention.
The same applies to:
Your baseline is the starting point.
Your trend is the movie.
A single result is only one frame.
KEY LINE
We are not chasing perfect numbers.
We are looking for meaningful patterns.
Time: 10 minutes
Let’s build the foundation.
Not every man needs every available test every year. Testing should reflect your age, symptoms, medical history, family history, medications and physician’s judgment.
But these are important markers to discuss.
The CBC examines major components of your blood.
These include:
Red blood cells carry oxygen.
Hemoglobin is the oxygen carrying protein inside those cells.
Hematocrit ( huh mah tuh krit) represents the proportion of your blood made up of red blood cells.
Low hemoglobin or hematocrit may point toward anemia, bleeding, nutrient deficiencies, kidney problems or other conditions.
High hematocrit can occur for several reasons, including dehydration, smoking, sleep apnea, high altitude or testosterone therapy.
Men using testosterone therapy need medical monitoring because testosterone can increase red blood cell production.
White blood cells are part of your immune system.
Platelets help with clotting.
Do not diagnose yourself from one high or low CBC marker. Look at the entire pattern and discuss abnormalities with your healthcare provider.
The comprehensive metabolic panel gives information about several systems.
It generally includes:
For liver health, you may see ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase and bilirubin.
Liver enzymes can be affected by liver disease, alcohol, medication, supplements, illness and even strenuous exercise.
AST is also found in muscle, so a hard workout can sometimes influence it.
Creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate help assess kidney function.
Men with significant muscle mass, creatine use or recent intense exercise may have creatinine results that require additional context.
One result does not tell the entire kidney story.
Bloodwork is important, but urine testing can reveal additional information.
A urinalysis may detect blood, protein, glucose or signs of infection.
The urine albumin to creatinine ratio can identify small amounts of albumin leaking into the urine.
That can be particularly important for men with diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular risk or kidney concerns.
TSH is usually the starting thyroid marker.
If TSH is abnormal, symptoms persist or there is a clinical reason to investigate further, a healthcare provider may order free T4 and sometimes additional testing.
Free T3 is not automatically required as a general screening test for every asymptomatic man.
Thyroid symptoms can overlap with low testosterone:
That is why we test systems instead of blaming everything on testosterone.
PSA is a protein made by prostate tissue.
An elevated PSA does not automatically mean prostate cancer.
PSA can be affected by benign prostate enlargement, inflammation, infection and other factors.
The value of PSA screening depends on age, risk, family history, race, life expectancy and personal preferences.
Men should have an informed conversation with their healthcare provider about the benefits and possible harms of screening.
Black men and men with a strong family history should make sure their doctor understands their increased risk.
The trend can be more informative than treating one PSA result as a verdict.
KEY LINE
PSA is not a cancer diagnosis.
It is a marker that may lead to further conversation and evaluation.
Depending on symptoms and risk factors, discuss:
Ferritin reflects stored iron, but it can also rise during inflammation and certain medical conditions.
Do not take iron simply because you feel tired.
Too little iron can cause problems, but excess iron can also be harmful.
Vitamin B12 testing may be particularly relevant with fatigue, neurological symptoms, vegetarian or vegan diets, absorption problems, metformin use or long term acid reducing medication.
Vitamin D testing may be relevant with limited sun exposure, osteoporosis risk, malabsorption or other clinical factors.
Serum magnesium is commonly tested, but it has limitations. Claims that everyone needs a red blood cell magnesium test are stronger than current evidence supports.
Test based on the clinical question.
Time: 15 minutes
Now let’s get into the hormone panel.
This is where men make one of two mistakes.
They either ignore hormones completely, or they become obsessed with one testosterone number.
Hormones operate as a system.
The core conversation includes:
Total testosterone measures the testosterone circulating in the blood, including testosterone bound to proteins and the smaller unbound portion.
A total testosterone result below 300 ng/dL may support a diagnosis of testosterone deficiency.
But diagnosis requires symptoms and two separate early morning tests.
Possible symptoms can include:
These symptoms are not specific to testosterone.
Poor sleep, depression, medication, obesity, excessive alcohol, thyroid problems, chronic disease and sleep apnea can cause similar symptoms.
That is why we do not diagnose testosterone deficiency from symptoms alone.
Testosterone should generally be measured early in the morning.
If a result is low, it should be repeated on a different morning.
Try to use the same laboratory and method when monitoring trends.
Do not test during an acute illness if it can reasonably be avoided because illness can temporarily suppress testosterone.
A total testosterone of 600 ng/dL is not an official universal target.
Some men may feel excellent at 500.
Another man may have symptoms, high SHBG and inadequate free testosterone despite a respectable total testosterone result.
The objective is not to win a testosterone competition.
The objective is healthy function
Free testosterone is the small fraction not tightly bound to proteins.
This becomes especially useful when total testosterone and symptoms do not seem to match or when SHBG may be abnormal.
Here is the challenge:
Free testosterone testing methods differ.
One report may use ng/dL.
Another may use pg/mL.
Another may report a calculated result.
That means you cannot use one internet range for every laboratory.
Use the method and reference range printed on your report.
As an example only, Mayo Clinic’s equilibrium dialysis reference ranges decline by age:
Those are reference ranges for that specific method.
They are not universal treatment targets.
SHBG stands for sex hormone binding globulin.
It is produced primarily by the liver and binds testosterone and estradiol.
When SHBG is high, total testosterone can appear acceptable while free testosterone is relatively low.
When SHBG is low, total testosterone may appear lower while the free fraction tells a different story.
SHBG can be influenced by:
An example adult male laboratory range is approximately 13.3 to 89.5 nmol/L, but use the range on the individual report.
Do not teach that every man needs SHBG between 20 and 40.
There is no universal perfect SHBG number.
Interpret SHBG with total testosterone, free testosterone, albumin and symptoms.
Albumin is a protein made by the liver.
Some testosterone is loosely bound to albumin and is considered biologically available.
Albumin, SHBG and total testosterone can be used to calculate free testosterone.
LH stands for luteinizing hormone.
It is produced by the pituitary and signals the testes to produce testosterone.
The pattern is more useful than chasing an ideal LH score.
Low testosterone plus high LH may indicate that the brain is sending the signal but the testes are not responding adequately.
That pattern can point toward primary testicular dysfunction.
Low testosterone plus low or inappropriately normal LH may suggest that signaling from the hypothalamus or pituitary is being suppressed.
Potential contributors can include obesity, illness, medication, sleep disruption, excessive stress and pituitary conditions.
This pattern requires proper clinical evaluation.
FSH stands for follicle stimulating hormone.
It is involved in sperm production and provides information about testicular and pituitary function.
FSH is particularly relevant when fertility is a concern.
A man who wants future fertility must tell his physician before starting testosterone therapy.
External testosterone can suppress LH and FSH and reduce sperm production.
Prolactin should be considered when testosterone is low and LH is low or low normal.
Persistently elevated prolactin can interfere with reproductive hormone signaling and may require further investigation.
Medication, stress and other factors can affect prolactin, so an abnormal result may need confirmation.
Estradiol is not the enemy.
Men need estradiol for:
Testosterone is converted into estradiol through the aromatase enzyme.
Higher body fat can increase aromatase activity, but symptoms and laboratory context still matter.
When estradiol testing is clinically appropriate for a man, request a sensitive assay, preferably LC MS/MS.
Many laboratories place adult male estradiol somewhere around 10 to 40 pg/mL, but ranges vary by laboratory and method.
High or low results should be evaluated with testosterone, symptoms, body composition, medication and the laboratory method.
DHEA S is age dependent. Use the age specific laboratory range.
One morning cortisol measurement is not a complete “stress score.”
Cortisol is affected by timing, sleep, illness, stress and medication.
Testing should answer a specific clinical question.
Do not ask only, “Is my testosterone normal?”
Ask:
KEY LINE
Testosterone is not one number.
It is an entire signaling system.
Heart disease and metabolic dysfunction do not care how much you can bench press.
A man can look fit and still carry significant cardiovascular risk.
This section matters.
Fasting glucose is a snapshot of your blood sugar after an overnight fast.
Recognized categories are:
Do not confuse a coaching preference, such as wanting fasting glucose under 90, with the official diagnostic categories.
HbA1c estimates average glucose exposure over approximately two to three months.
Recognized categories are:
HbA1c has limitations.
Anemia, kidney disease, blood loss, hemoglobin variants and altered red blood cell turnover can influence the result.
Interpret it with the full clinical picture.
Fasting insulin may provide additional information about insulin resistance, but it is not as standardized as glucose and HbA1c.
There is no universally accepted diagnostic cutoff for insulin resistance based on fasting insulin alone.
Your guide can use under 8 µIU/mL as a proactive discussion zone, but clearly label it as a coaching or functional target, not an official diagnostic threshold.
The standard lipid panel generally includes:
Do not look at total cholesterol by itself.
LDL cholesterol matters because long term exposure to atherogenic particles contributes to plaque development.
HDL is part of risk assessment, but trying to raise HDL through supplements does not automatically reduce cardiovascular events.
Triglycerides are influenced by metabolic health, alcohol, diet, body fat, diabetes and genetics.
A triglyceride to HDL ratio can provide metabolic context, but it is not a formal diagnosis.
ApoB estimates the number of atherogenic lipoprotein particles.
Each major plaque forming particle generally carries one ApoB molecule.
This can reveal risk that may be underestimated by LDL cholesterol alone, particularly in people with diabetes, metabolic syndrome, elevated triglycerides or discordant lipid results.
Lower is generally better, but the correct goal depends on overall cardiovascular risk.
Do not give every man the same ApoB target.
Lipoprotein(a), pronounced lipoprotein little a, is largely determined by genetics.
The 2026 American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology dyslipidemia guidance recommends that adults have Lp(a) measured at least once.
An Lp(a) level of 125 nmol/L, or approximately 50 mg/dL, or higher is considered a risk enhancing level.
Do not directly convert mg/dL to nmol/L using one fixed formula because the relationship varies.
Use the unit reported by the laboratory.
If Lp(a) is high, it does not mean a heart attack is inevitable.
It means the man and his healthcare provider may need to manage the modifiable risk factors more aggressively.
These are not blood tests, but they belong in your health audit.
Take blood pressure at home using a validated upper arm cuff.
Sit quietly.
Keep your back supported and feet on the floor.
Place your arm at heart level.
Take more than one reading on multiple days.
One stressed reading at the doctor’s office may not represent your usual blood pressure.
Waist circumference is a practical marker of abdominal and visceral fat.
Measure around the abdomen consistently, using the same location and conditions each time.
High sensitivity C reactive protein, or hs CRP, can provide information about inflammation and cardiovascular risk.
But it is not specific.
Infection, injury and a hard workout can raise it.
If hs CRP is elevated during an illness or immediately following intense training, it may need to be repeated under more stable conditions.
Inflammation is a signal.
It does not identify the cause by itself.
The quality of your test preparation affects the quality of your information.
Here is your bloodwork preparation checklist.
Ask whether fasting is required.
Some tests do not require fasting, but your healthcare provider may want fasting glucose, triglycerides or insulin measured under standardized conditions.
If instructed to fast, follow the specific directions from the laboratory.
Water is generally permitted, but confirm your instructions.
Schedule testosterone testing in the early morning.
If the result is low, repeat it on a separate morning before drawing conclusions.
Avoid unusually intense exercise before testing when possible.
Hard training can temporarily influence muscle enzymes, liver associated enzymes, creatinine, inflammation markers and other results.
Avoid heavy alcohol use before testing.
Alcohol can affect triglycerides, glucose, hydration and liver markers.
Tell the provider about all medications and supplements.
This includes:
High dose biotin can interfere with some laboratory tests.
Do not stop medication or supplements unless instructed by the appropriate healthcare professional.
Do not test while severely dehydrated.
Dehydration can concentrate certain blood components.
Try to use similar testing conditions each time.
Use the same laboratory when possible.
Test at a similar time.
Record whether you were fasting.
Record medication changes, illness, poor sleep and unusual training.
This makes trend comparison more meaningful.
Ask for a copy of your complete results.
Do not settle for, “Everything looks fine.”
Keep the actual numbers.
Create a health folder.
Your doctor interprets the test clinically.
You track the long term trend.
Brothers, information without action changes nothing.
Here is your action plan.
Use the checklist and mark:
Gather your previous bloodwork from the last three to five years if possible.
Create a simple record containing:
Do not walk into the appointment demanding every test you saw on the internet.
Say:
“I am trying to become more proactive with my health. Based on my age, symptoms, family history and current risk factors, which of these tests are appropriate for me?”
That opens a better conversation.
Choose three health markers or behaviors that need your attention.
Examples:
Do not try to fix 25 things at once.
Ask your healthcare provider:
“When should we repeat this marker?”
Some tests may be annual.
Some may need to be repeated sooner.
Others may only need to be tested once or when symptoms and risk factors justify them.
Type one action into the comments or inside the Brotherhood that you will complete after today’s call.
Examples:
“Book my physical.”
“Get my old bloodwork.”
“Ask about ApoB.”
“Measure my blood pressure.”
“Track my waist.”
“Repeat my morning testosterone.”
Brothers, your health does not suddenly fall apart at 50, 60 or 70.
In many cases, the direction was established years earlier.
Not because numbers define you.
Not because you need to become obsessed.
Bloodwork matters because measurement creates awareness, and awareness gives you the opportunity to act.
You cannot change your genetics.
You cannot control everything that happens to your body.
But you can take ownership.
And you can stop waiting until your body is screaming for help.
Your second half can be your strongest half.
But only if you take responsibility for it.
Stop guessing.
Start measuring.
Know your numbers.
And as always, Get It Done.
