Some people want a single, thorough picture rather than a series of smaller tests: someone who trains seriously, someone with a family history they want to understand, or simply someone who prefers to see everything at once. The Platinum Health Blood Test Male is the widest men's panel in the BPR catalogue, with 68 markers in the LML list. This guide explains what it covers, how to prepare, and how to decide whether it is the right fit.
What the Platinum Health Blood Test Male covers
The 68 markers fall into a handful of areas.
Heart and lipids
A full cholesterol profile (total, LDL, HDL, non-HDL, calculated VLDL, triglycerides and ratios), plus apolipoprotein B, apolipoprotein A1 and the ratio between them. A narrative review explains that each potentially harmful lipoprotein particle carries one molecule of apoB, and that apoB measures this particle-related risk more accurately than LDL cholesterol (Sniderman et al., 2019). The panel also includes high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), an inflammatory marker described as adding information on cardiovascular risk comparable to blood pressure or cholesterol (Ridker, 2016).
Blood sugar
HbA1c, fasting glucose and insulin. Together they give a view of both average blood sugar and how the body is handling it on the day.
Liver, kidneys and minerals
Liver markers (ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, GGT, bilirubin, albumin, globulin, total protein), kidney markers (urea, creatinine, eGFR and cystatin C), sodium, chloride, calcium, adjusted calcium, magnesium and urate. Creatine kinase, linked by the LML to muscle health, is also included.
Blood count, iron and vitamins
A full blood count, iron with ferritin and binding capacity, vitamin B12, folate and vitamin D.
Thyroid
TSH, free T4 and free T3, plus thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin antibodies. A review on hypothyroidism notes that the most frequent cause, in places with enough iodine in the diet, is chronic autoimmune thyroiditis, which is what these antibodies relate to (Chaker et al., 2022).
Hormones
Testosterone, calculated free testosterone, sex hormone binding globulin, free androgen index, LH, FSH, oestradiol, prolactin, progesterone, DHEA sulphate and cortisol.
PSA
Prostate specific antigen (PSA). The NHS explains that a raised PSA does not mean cancer, that it can be raised for other reasons such as an enlarged prostate, and that a PSA result may lead to further tests. Routine PSA testing is not offered on the NHS for men without symptoms (except for some carriers of a BRCA2 variant), and the NHS recommends discussing the benefits and risks with a GP. It is worth reading that page before ordering any panel that includes PSA.
Who it tends to suit
- men over 30 who want a broad baseline and plan to repeat the same panel over time;
- people who train a lot and want hormones, iron, vitamins and muscle markers in one sample;
- people with a family history of heart disease or high cholesterol who want apoB alongside the standard lipids.
It is not the only route. If your question is narrow, a smaller test answers it with fewer results to interpret. More markers also means more chances that something sits just outside a reference range, so it helps to plan who will go through the results with you before you order.
How to prepare
- Fasting: the LML requires a fasting sample for this panel. Follow the instructions that come with your order.
- Before PSA: the NHS advises that for 48 hours before a PSA test you avoid ejaculation, vigorous exercise and cycling, which can raise PSA. A urine infection can also affect the result.
- Timing: if you repeat the panel, try to keep the time of collection similar, so the results are easier to compare.
