A lot of men book their first proper blood test in their late 30s or 40s — often prompted by a bit of weight gain, flagging energy, or simply realising they've never had one. The Advanced GP2 (Male) panel is built for that moment: a genuinely broad check covering testosterone, prostate health, cardiovascular risk, thyroid, kidney and liver function across 50 markers — enough depth to catch what actually matters, without the extra reproductive-hormone detail that makes our GP3 panel our most exhaustive option.
What a broad men’s health check tends to catch
Men who book a general wellbeing check rather than a symptom-specific test most often turn out to have one of the following:
- Declining testosterone — gradual, common with age, and linked to low energy, mood changes and reduced muscle mass.
- Rising cholesterol or blood sugar — frequently the first measurable sign of cardiovascular or metabolic risk, well before any symptoms.
- Undiagnosed thyroid problems — less often considered in men, but a real and treatable cause of fatigue.
- Prostate changes — a baseline PSA is a sensible addition once you're past 40, or sooner with a family history or symptoms.
- Early liver or kidney changes — often related to alcohol, weight or medication, and usually silent until tested.
When to seek help
These are common, gradual changes best picked up on a routine screen — this is not an emergency test. New chest pain, breathlessness at rest, testicular lumps or blood in your urine need urgent same-day assessment rather than a routine blood test.
As a rule, seek urgent care for severe, sudden or rapidly worsening symptoms, and book a routine test for milder, longer-standing concerns like the ones above.
What the Advanced GP2 (Male) checks
Rather than testing one thing at a time, the Advanced GP2 (Male) panel screens 50 markers across 11 areas of your health in a single blood draw. Here's what each group can tell you:
Hormones
This panel checks testosterone, SHBG and free androgen index. These hormones influence energy, mood, libido, weight and cycle regularity, and imbalances are common at various life stages.
Prostate health
This panel checks PSA (prostate specific antigen), a standard screening marker for prostate health — relevant for men particularly from their 40s and 50s onward, or with urinary symptoms or a family history of prostate problems.
Thyroid
This panel checks TSH, free T4, free T3 and thyroid antibodies. An underactive or overactive thyroid can cause tiredness, weight changes, low mood, hair thinning or a fast or irregular heartbeat — often mistaken for stress or "just getting older" — so a clinician can spot dysfunction even before it's obvious from symptoms alone.
Heart & cholesterol
This panel checks your full lipid profile plus apolipoprotein B and lipoprotein(a) — advanced markers that refine cardiovascular risk beyond standard cholesterol, building an accurate cardiovascular risk picture. Cholesterol and related lipid markers are among the strongest predictors of long-term heart and stroke risk, and rarely cause symptoms until a problem is advanced.
Blood sugar
This panel checks glucose, HbA1c, insulin and adiponectin, screening for diabetes and pre-diabetes, which can develop silently for years with no obvious symptoms.
Liver function
This panel checks ALT, AST, GGT, ALP, bilirubin and albumin. Liver enzymes can flag early strain from alcohol, medication, weight gain or fatty liver disease long before any symptoms appear.
Kidney function & salts
This panel checks creatinine, eGFR, cystatin C, sodium, potassium, urea and uric acid. Kidney function can decline silently for years before it's noticed, so these markers give an early warning of reduced kidney function, dehydration or salt imbalances.
Iron status
This panel checks ferritin, serum iron, TIBC, transferrin and transferrin saturation. Low iron is one of the most common, treatable causes of fatigue, breathlessness and poor concentration, often well before a full anaemia develops — a complete iron picture is far more useful than a ferritin test alone.
Vitamins
This panel checks vitamin D and magnesium. Deficiencies here are widespread in the UK and are linked to fatigue, low mood, muscle aches and poor immunity — and are simple to correct once identified.
Full blood count
This panel includes a full blood count — red cells, white cells, platelets and related indices — one of the single most useful all-round checks available, screening for anaemia, infection and abnormalities in your blood.
Inflammation
This panel checks C-reactive protein (CRP), a general marker of inflammation in the body that can point towards infection, a chronic inflammatory condition, or increased cardiovascular risk.
Advanced GP2 (Male) — £239
CQC-regulated · Rated 4.88/5 on Doctify · Open 7 days 8am–8pm · No referral needed
Why the Advanced GP2 (Male) is the right test
Advanced GP2 (Male) sits between our Standard Screen Plus and our most comprehensive Advanced GP3. It adds testosterone, SHBG and free androgen index, PSA, thyroid antibodies, a fuller iron panel, and apolipoprotein B, lipoprotein(a) and hs-CRP for cardiovascular risk — everything most men are actually looking for in a ‘proper’ health check, at £239.
Every result, including testosterone and PSA, is explained by a clinician in plain English, with sensible next steps if anything needs a closer look.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does GP2 include testosterone and PSA?
Yes — both are included, along with SHBG and free androgen index for a fuller picture of testosterone status.
What’s the difference between GP2 and GP3 for men?
GP2 covers 50 markers including testosterone, PSA, thyroid, cardiovascular risk and kidney/liver function. GP3 goes further with 59 markers, adding parathyroid hormone, cystatin C, uric acid and a fuller vitamin panel.
Do I need to fast before this blood test?
Yes — because this panel includes glucose and HbA1c, we recommend avoiding food for around 8-10 hours beforehand (water is fine). Our team will confirm exact preparation when you book.
Do I need a GP referral to book this test?
No referral is needed. You can book directly online or by calling 0121 387 3727. Same-week appointments are available 7 days a week, 8am to 8pm.
Can I claim this on private health insurance?
Self-funded blood tests are usually paid for directly rather than through insurance, as most insurers require a referral first. If you would like to use insurance, call us on 0121 387 3727 and our team will advise on the best route for your policy.
Reference ranges vary between laboratories and are influenced by age, sex and other individual factors. This article is for general information only and does not replace a clinical consultation — every result in the Advanced GP2 (Male) panel is reviewed by a clinician before it's released to you. Further reading: Lab Tests Online UK →