Men’s preventive care

Benefits of the testing for men

The “Men’s preventive care” package is tailored to men – it examines 11 to 29 parameters which will provide you with the following information and give you an overview of your health:

• Mineral level testing
• Lipid profile and hepatic function assessment
• Prostate marker testing option (PSA and fPSA, i.e. free PSA)

What´s measured

As part of the Men’s preventive care package and its variants, the following parameters are investigated:

Each variant consists of a different number of parameters (ranging from 11 to 29). Choose an examination according to your age or the number of parameters.

Parameters

PSA

The PSA acronym stands for prostate-specific antigen, a protein produced as a proteolytic enzyme mainly by the cells of the prostate gland. PSA is a sensitive indicator of prostate health. Increased amounts are secreted from the prostate gland into the blood in case of various diseases such as cancer, inflammation, or benign hyperplasia (enlargement) of the prostate. Elevated levels can also be detected after physical stimulation of the prostate gland, e.g. after a prostate examination performed by a physician or after riding a bicycle. For that reason, it is necessary to follow the instructions from your doctor and/or the laboratory prior to the test. After determining PSA levels, the ratio of free (fPSA) to total PSA is established.

fPSA

fPSA is the free fraction of PSA and its testing is recommended for distinguishing prostate cancer from benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), in low and moderately elevated total PSA values. Men with prostate cancer with a normal or only slightly enlarged prostate gland have a lower percentage of free PSA compared to men with BPH.

ALT

This acronym stands for Alanine Aminotransferase, which is an enzyme present in the cytoplasm of cells of certain tissues. It is crucial in the formation and breakdown of amino acids, while also playing a role in nitrogen and glucose metabolism. Increased ALT activity occurs when the integrity of cells, particularly liver cells, is compromised. As a laboratory marker, it is used in preventive screening to identify liver diseases, which occur in instances such as taking certain medications, suffering from infectious diseases, or poisoning.

Glucose

Glucose, commonly referred to as blood sugar, is a simple carbohydrate serving as the main source of energy for cells. In diabetes, glucose cannot enter the cells and the blood glucose level rises in response.

Blood count with differential

It helps assess overall health, can help detect anemia (low blood count) and thus impaired oxygen supply to tissues, determine the risk of infections, inflammation, immune disorders, or blood clotting problems.

Creatinine

Creatinine is a nitrogenous compound produced by the breakdown of a substance called creatine, which supplies the energy necessary for muscle contraction. It is primarily synthesised in the liver. Creatinine is excreted exclusively by the kidneys. The test measuring the level of creatinine in the blood along with glomerular filtration rate calculation therefore allow for the detection of kidney function disorders.

Uric acid

Uric acid (UA) is a nitrogenous substance formed as the end product of purine metabolism in humans. UA is a potent antioxidant (capturing free oxygen radicals) and is one of the parameters of metabolic syndrome. When its level increases in the body, it can get deposited in the form of crystals in the tissues, as it is characterised by poor water solubility.

TSH – thyroid-stimulating hormone

TSH (thyrotropin, thyroid-stimulating hormone) is a hormone produced by the cells of the anterior lobe of the pituitary gland. It affects the metabolism of thyroid cells and stimulates the production and secretion of thyroid hormones, especially thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3).

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a critically important fat-soluble vitamin, essential for the proper functioning of numerous metabolic processes in the body, including the proper growth and development of bones and teeth. There are two basic forms of vitamin D: vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), which is produced in the skin following sunlight exposure and can be obtained in small amounts from animal food sources, and vitamin D2 (ergocalciferol), which comes from plant foods and is part of most vitamin supplements.

Chemical urinalysis

The basic chemical urinalysis includes a pH examination and a urine specific gravity test, along with the qualitative evidence for the presence of protein, glucose/sugar, ketone bodies, bilirubin, urobilinogen, nitrites, haemoglobin, and leukocytes. It is primarily intended for the assessment of kidney function, as well as the functioning of other organs.

Urine sediment

Urine sediment provides an overview of cellular components, i.e. erythrocytes (red blood cells), leukocytes (white blood cells), epithelial cells that line the urethra and bladder, inorganic components including crystals, and the organic presence of microorganisms.

fT4

Free T4 (fT4) is a physiologically active form of the hormone called thyroxine, which is produced by the thyroid gland. Thyroxine is one of the main hormones produced by the thyroid gland and represents a natural part of its regulatory system. It affects the overall metabolism of the body, while also serving as a prohormone for triiodothyronine (T3). Since it predominantly binds to proteins in the bloodstream, it is preferable to determine its free fraction (fT4) over the total T4, as the level of fT4 is unaffected by proteins and reflects the actual state of the thyroid gland.

Magnesium

Magnesium (Mg) is one of the main minerals in the body. It is involved in the functioning of numerous enzymes, plays a part in bone and muscle metabolism as well as intestinal and renal metabolism, and takes part in maintaining the balance of the internal environment.

HDL cholesterol

HDL cholesterol is a high-density lipoprotein and is referred to as the so-called good cholesterol. Keeping its levels within the reference range contributes to the reduction in the risk of vascular disease. Its most important function is removing excess cholesterol from tissue cells and blood vessels and transporting it to the liver, thereby maintaining the optimal amount of cholesterol and reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease.

Cholesterol

The levels of triglycerides and cholesterol (total, HDL, and LDL) are the primary indicators of lipid metabolism. Their level depends mainly on the metabolic function as a whole, but also on dietary intake and physical activity.

Lipase

Lipase is an important enzyme that is useful for diagnosing and monitoring inflammation of the pancreas (pancreatitis) and other pancreatic diseases.

Triglycerides

Triglycerides (TGs) are simple lipids which the body gets from food along with cholesterol. They function as the primary indicators of lipid metabolism and their level depends mainly on the metabolic function as a whole, but also on the food and alcohol intake and the level of physical activity.

Calcium

Calcium (Ca) is one of the most important minerals in the body. It is involved in the functioning of numerous enzymes and muscles, contributes to blood clotting and the production and secretion of hormones, and is also the primary building block of bones and teeth.

LDL cholesterol

LDL cholesterol is a low-density lipoprotein referred to as the so-called bad cholesterol. The small, dense LDL particles (sd-LDL) play a key role in the development and progression of atherosclerosis. They form in the liver as VLDL, where they get converted following the delivery of triglycerides, and apolipoprotein B-100 binds to their surface. The main function of LDL is to transport cholesterol into cells, where it is utilised in the building of tissue cell membranes and in the metabolism of hormones.

Potassium

Potassium is an important cation found inside cells. It plays an irreplaceable role in cellular metabolism; together with sodium and chlorides, it maintains intracellular osmotic pressure and acid-base balance, and regulates muscle and nerve function. Its imbalance causes heart rhythm disturbances and general fatigue.

HbA1c

HbA1c stands for glycated haemoglobin, which provides indirect information about the average blood sugar level (glycaemia) over the last 2-3 months.

Sodium

Sodium is the most abundant mineral in the human body. Together with other electrolytes, it ensures normal cellular function and regulates the amount of water in the body. Its blood level assessment is also used when dealing with non-specific health problems such as dehydration or oedemas.

Chlorides

Chlorides (Cl) are the main anions and together with sodium and potassium are classified as electrolytes. They are involved in maintaining a constant internal environment, including osmotic pressure or acid-base balance.

ALP

ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) is an enzyme that is mainly found in liver and bone cells, involved in the active transport of substances. It is highly sensitive to changes in liver and bile duct function, as well as to the development of bone disease.

AST

AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase) is an enzyme present inside cells, especially those of the liver and muscles. Its blood level is usually elevated in case of damage to liver cells, most commonly in viral hepatitis, alcohol consumption, or fatty liver.

Total protein

Total protein indicates the concentration of all proteins in blood plasma. Proteins are fundamental building blocks of all cells and tissues. They are important not only for physical growth, but also perform other functions such as transporting water-insoluble substances and maintaining cellular oncotic pressure and appropriate blood pH. They ensure proper immune response and contribute to blood clotting.

GGT

GGT (Gamma-Glutamyl Transferase) is an enzyme bound to cellular membranes and found mainly in the liver. It is highly sensitive to changes in hepatic function and to bile duct injury, which may occur, for example, as a result of taking medications or consuming alcohol.

Urea

Urea is the end product of the metabolism of dietary protein. The by-product of this process is ammonia, which is toxic to the central nervous system, liver, and kidneys. The urea cycle takes place in the liver. Urea is released into the bloodstream and transported to the kidneys, where it is filtered into urine or reabsorbed into the blood.

The production of urea affects the acid-base balance in the body. Its blood concentration depends on dietary protein intake and overall metabolism. The test is a suitable indicator of renal function, body hydration levels, protein catabolism, and for determining the nitrogen level.

Serum protein electrophoresis

Protein electrophoresis is a simple method for detecting altered serum protein levels or for providing evidence of the presence of paraprotein, produced by a pathological cell clone. Serum proteins are separated into 5 major fractions on the carrier in the electric field: albumin, alpha-1-globulins, alpha-2-globulins, beta-globulins, and gamma-globulins.