Guides · By Erik ·
Blood tests for men over 40: what to check
If you train hard and nothing changes, a blood panel is the cheapest way to stop guessing. Here is what I ask clients to test, and why.
Why test at all
Two men can follow the same plan and get opposite results. Blood sugar control, hormones, iron status and inflammation all shape how your body responds to training and food. A panel gives you a baseline. A retest later shows what actually moved.
The core panel
| Area | Markers | Why it matters for training and body composition |
|---|---|---|
| Blood sugar | HbA1c, fasting glucose | How well your body handles carbohydrates over time. HbA1c reflects roughly the last two to three months. |
| Blood fats | Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides (ApoB if available) | Triglycerides in particular respond to diet, alcohol and activity. |
| Hormones | Total testosterone, SHBG | Affects energy, recovery and muscle. SHBG helps put the testosterone number in context. |
| Thyroid | TSH | A simple check, since thyroid function affects energy and weight. |
| Iron and vitamins | Ferritin, vitamin D, vitamin B12 | Low levels are common and can show up as tiredness and poor recovery. |
| Inflammation | CRP | A general signal. Best read together with how you feel and train. |
| Liver and kidneys | ALT, GGT, creatinine (eGFR) | A safety baseline before you change training load, diet or supplements. |
| Blood count | Haemoglobin, full blood count | Oxygen transport and general health. |
How to prepare
- Test in the morning, ideally before 10:00, after an overnight fast. Testosterone is highest in the morning.
- Skip hard training for 24 to 48 hours before. Heavy sessions can affect several markers.
- Avoid alcohol the day before, and sleep as normally as you can.
- Write down any supplements and medication you take, and tell the lab and your doctor.
- Use the same lab and the same conditions for retests, so you compare like with like.
Where to test in Europe
Many private labs in Norway, Poland and the rest of Europe let you order a panel online and give a sample at a local collection point, often without a GP referral. Your GP can also order tests, especially if you have symptoms.
How to read the results
Reference ranges vary between labs, so always read your values against the range printed on your own report. One result is a snapshot. The trend across two or three tests, taken the same way, tells you far more.
If anything is outside the reference range, take it to your doctor first. In coaching I use the numbers to shape training, nutrition, sleep and habits, and we retest to see what changed. You can see how that looked for a real client in case 003, three lab tests over about 3½ months.
Related: Why am I not losing fat at 40?
Sources
Coaching, not medical advice. This guide is general information. It does not diagnose or treat anything. Talk to your doctor about your results, symptoms and any medication. Health disclaimer.