Low Energy, Brain Fog or Gym Plateaus?

Blood Tests Every Man Should Consider in London

Author: Dr Lauren Holland, Clinical Lead – Marylebone Diagnostic Centre

Many men feel tired, unfocused, or flat. Training stops delivering results. Motivation drops. Sleep worsens. Often, these changes happen gradually and are easy to ignore. In many cases, symptoms relate to hormonal, metabolic, or nutritional imbalance.

Why These Symptoms Are Common in Men

Men often push through symptoms. Long hours, stress, and training load add pressure. Over time, this can affect:

• Hormones
• Blood sugar
• Recovery
• Sleep

Blood testing helps identify what is driving the change.

Common Male Symptoms and What They May Indicate

• Persistent Low Energy: May be linked to low testosterone availability, iron imbalance, thyroid dysfunction, chronic inflammation. Energy is influenced by more than sleep.
• Brain Fog and Poor Focus: Possible contributors include thyroid imbalance, vitamin B12 deficiency, blood sugar instability, elevated stress hormones.
• Gym Plateaus or Poor Recovery: May relate to testosterone imbalance, cortisol elevation, nutritional deficiency, inadequate recovery markers.
• Low Motivation or Low Libido: Imbalances may involve testosterone, SHBG, cortisol. Stress can suppress hormone activity.
• Weight Gain or Central Fat: Common contributors include insulin resistance, cortisol elevation, thyroid imbalance.
• Poor Sleep or Non-Restorative Sleep: Disruption may be linked to cortisol rhythm changes, inflammation, hormonal imbalance.

Blood Tests Commonly Linked to These Symptoms

Why Single Tests Often Miss the Cause

Symptoms overlap across systems. For example:

• Stress alters hormones
• Hormones affect metabolism
• Metabolism affects recovery

Testing one marker rarely gives clarity.

Which Screening Covers These Symptoms Best?

A comprehensive approach is usually more effective. Marylebone Advanced Male Health Screening includes:

• Male hormones
• Metabolic markers
• Thyroid profile
• Iron status
• Vitamins
• Stress hormone
• Inflammation

This allows patterns to be identified.

Who Should Consider Symptom-Led Testing?

This approach is useful if you:

• Feel persistently tired
• Train hard without progress
• Experience brain fog
• Have low motivation or libido
• Want clarity, not guesswork

It is also suitable for baseline testing.

What Happens After Testing?

You attend MDC in central London. Blood samples are taken on-site. Results are delivered quickly. Further testing can be added if needed.