Men are famously bad at going to the doctor — on average visiting half as often as women, and dying four years earlier. A well man check exists to shortcut that: one appointment that measures the things most likely to kill or diminish you in the next 20 years, almost all of which are cheap to find and highly treatable when caught early. Here's what a good check includes at The Vesey in Sutton Coldfield — from £99, 7 days a week, no referral needed.
What a Well Man Check Should Cover
The core, in rough order of lives saved: blood pressure — the biggest silent risk factor for heart attack and stroke; a third of men with hypertension don't know. Cholesterol profile and HbA1c — heart disease risk and diabetes/pre-diabetes; type 2 diabetes is commonly diagnosed 5–10 years late, after damage has started. Kidney and liver function — alcohol, weight and blood pressure all show up here first. Full blood count and ferritin — unexplained anaemia in men always needs investigating. Waist, BMI and a cardiovascular risk score that turns the numbers into a 10-year risk you can act on.
Age- and history-dependent additions: PSA discussion from 50 (or 45 with family history or Black ethnicity — prostate cancer risk is doubled), testosterone where energy, libido, mood or erectile function have dipped, thyroid, vitamin D and B12, an ECG if there are palpitations, chest symptoms or significant family history, and honest conversations about alcohol, sleep (snoring plus daytime tiredness suggests sleep apnoea) and mental health.
The Symptoms Men Sit On
A well man check is also the appointment where things get mentioned 'while I'm here' — and those are often the most valuable minutes. Erectile dysfunction deserves special emphasis: beyond its own impact, it's an early warning sign of cardiovascular disease, appearing on average 3–5 years before heart symptoms. It's a reason to check the heart, not just a prescription request.
Also worth raising rather than sitting on: urinary changes (getting up at night, weak stream — usually benign prostate enlargement, always worth confirming), low mood and irritability, persistent heartburn, bowel habit changes, testicular lumps, and snoring with daytime exhaustion. None of these get better for being ignored; nearly all have straightforward assessment pathways.
Costs and How Often
At The Vesey: the Essential Health Assessment (£99) covers the core bloods, blood pressure and GP review — the right first check for most men. The Advance (£275) broadens the panels (including hormones and vitamins) for men with symptoms or risk factors; the Executive (£499) is the comprehensive option with extended consultation time. Individual tests — PSA, testosterone, ferritin — start from £32 if you want targeted answers rather than a package.
Frequency: a baseline in your late 30s/early 40s, then every 1–3 years to 50 and annually after — more often only if you're treating something. Results come with a GP consultation, not just a report, and anything abnormal is investigated on site: cardiology, urology, endocrinology and imaging are all in the building.
Same-week appointments, open 7 days 8am–8pm, free parking. Book online or call 0121 387 3727.
One appointment. The numbers that matter. From £99
CQC-regulated · Rated 4.87/5 on Doctify · Open 7 days 8am–8pm · No referral needed
Frequently Asked Questions
What is included in a well man check?
Core tests: blood pressure, cholesterol, HbA1c (diabetes), kidney and liver function, full blood count, BMI/waist and a cardiovascular risk score, reviewed with a GP. Depending on age and history: PSA discussion, testosterone, thyroid, vitamin D/B12 and ECG. At The Vesey this runs from £99.
At what age should men have a PSA test?
UK practice is an informed discussion from age 50 — earlier (from 45) with a family history of prostate cancer or Black ethnicity, where risk is roughly doubled. PSA has genuine limitations, which is why it should come with a proper conversation rather than being quietly added to a panel.
Should I get my testosterone checked?
If you have symptoms — persistent fatigue, low libido, erectile difficulty, low mood, loss of morning erections or strength — yes, ideally with a 9am sample and repeated to confirm. Screening without symptoms is less useful, as levels vary and mildly 'low' results without symptoms rarely need treatment.
How much is a well man check in Birmingham?
The Vesey's health assessments run £99 (Essential), £275 (Advance) and £499 (Executive), all with GP-reviewed results, in Sutton Coldfield with same-week availability 7 days a week. Individual tests such as PSA or testosterone start from £32.