“Life begins at 40.”
Well, there are also many other things that can begin at 40—physical changes, changes in the way your body feels and moves—all reminding you that you’re not that spry 21-year-old anymore.
Forty is a milestone, a good checkpoint to come in for a checkup…even when you feel fine.
It’s an age when many health conditions quietly start developing behind the scenes. You might feel fine, but your lab results could be telling a slightly different story.
Men and women need to check for different things.
In this article, we’ll look at some of the conditions to watch out for before it gets too late.
Lab Tests Everyone Over 40 Should Consider
Once you hit the big 4-0, it’s time to pay closer attention to what your body might be telling you.
Here are some of the most important lab tests for both men and women in their 40s:
1. Complete Blood Count (CBC)
This is the “basic” blood test doctors often request. It also gives an overall picture of your health by checking red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, and platelets.
A CBC can help detect anemia, infections, and even signs of certain cancers.
If you’ve been feeling unusually tired, lightheaded, or getting sick often, your CBC might reveal something worth checking further.
2. Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS)
This measures your blood sugar levels.
Type 2 diabetes is increasingly common in our country, especially among adults 40 and up.
It often starts without symptoms. The Department of Health estimates that 1 in 5 Filipino adults may already be diabetic or prediabetic and not know it.
3. Lipid Profile
This one measures your total cholesterol, LDL (“bad” cholesterol), HDL (“good” cholesterol), and triglycerides.
High cholesterol doesn’t necessarily have symptoms, but it quietly builds up in your arteries and increases your risk for things like heart attack and stroke.
Heart disease remains the #1 cause of death in the Philippines, according to the PSA. This test is one of your first lines of defense.
4. Liver Function Tests (ALT, AST, GGT)
Your liver breaks down medications, filters toxins, and processes fats. These check how well your liver is working.
Many Filipinos only find out their liver is struggling when it’s already serious, especially if they drink regularly or take maintenance meds.
So, consider regular liver tests if you take meds for blood pressure, diabetes, or cholesterol.
5. Kidney Function Tests (Creatinine, BUN, eGFR)
These show how well your kidneys are filtering waste from your blood.
Chronic kidney disease is more common than you think. If caught early, it can often be slowed down or managed with lifestyle changes.
So if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of kidney problems, these tests are a must.
6. Uric Acid Test
You don’t have to wait for gout attacks. Catching it early gives you a chance to tweak your diet before the pain hits.
This measures the amount of uric acid in your blood. High levels can lead to gout, a very painful joint inflammation, especially in the big toe or knees.
Gout is common in the Philippines and often triggered by favorite foods like liver, sardines, or beer.
7. Electrolytes (Sodium, Potassium, etc.) Test
Your diet, hydration level, or med intake can cause mineral imbalance. The thing is, even slight imbalances can present in different ways and lead to fatigue, cramps, or irregular heartbeats.
These tests check for mineral imbalances to spare your heart, muscles, and nerves from conditions that result from electrolyte levels not being corrected.
8. Thyroid-Stimulating Hormone (TSH) Test
If you’ve been gaining or losing weight unexpectedly, feeling anxious or sluggish, or having trouble sleeping, it might not just be stress.
Your thyroid controls your metabolism, energy, mood, and weight, and many issues appear after 40. This test checks if your thyroid is overactive (hyperthyroidism) or underactive (hypothyroidism).
For Men: What to Watch Out for After 40
1. Heart Health Tests
Filipino men are statistically more prone to cardiovascular disease, with ischemic heart disease being the leading cause of death in men nationwide.
Lab tests can flag early warning signs even if you feel fine. A high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) test, for instance, can indicate higher heart attack risk.
An ECG (electrocardiogram) can detect irregularities in your heart rhythm that might otherwise go unnoticed. When combined with your cholesterol panel, blood pressure checks, and lifestyle habits—like smoking or lack of exercise—these tests give your doctor a fuller picture of your cardiovascular health and what to do to protect it.
2. Testosterone Levels
For men over 40, it’s not unusual for testosterone levels to dip gradually. But when the drop becomes significant, it can present as low libido, fatigue, depression, or trouble maintaining muscle mass.
A testosterone blood test can help determine whether symptoms you're experiencing are hormone-related or caused by something else.
If the levels are below normal, your doctor may suggest lifestyle adjustments, treatment, or further testing to check for underlying issues like metabolic syndrome or pituitary problems.
3. Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT)
FOBT checks for hidden blood in your stool. It’s simple, non-invasive, and can be done annually.
A positive test means blood has been found in the sample. This could be due to a variety of reasons: polyps, haemorrhoids, or inflammation.
4. Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA)
Once men reach 40—especially those with a family history of prostate issues or who notice changes in urination—it might be time to consider a PSA test.
Elevated PSA levels can indicate inflammation, enlargement, or even cancer. While not all elevated readings point to something serious, the test helps start a conversation with your doctor.
Prostate cancer remains one of the top five cancers among Filipinos, and early detection can often lead to more effective and less aggressive treatment.
For Women: What to Watch Out for After 40
1. Pap Smear and HPV Test
Cervical cancer is one of the most preventable types of cancer, but only if it’s caught early. That’s where the Pap smear and HPV test come in.
A Pap smear checks for abnormal changes in the cells of the cervix, while the HPV test detects the presence of high-risk strains of the human papillomavirus, the virus responsible for most cervical cancer cases.
The Department of Health recommends women start screening by age 21, but for those over 40, it becomes even more important to stay consistent, especially since early stages of cervical cancer often don’t cause symptoms. If your last test was over three years ago, or if you’ve never had one, it’s time to include it in your next lab visit.
2. Mammogram
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among Filipino women.
After age 40, regular mammograms are strongly advised to detect tumors before they can be felt by hand. A mammogram is a low-dose X-ray that helps spot changes in breast tissue long before symptoms appear.
Women with a family history of breast cancer may need to start screening earlier or get checked more often. The procedure may feel uncomfortable, but those few minutes are a small price to pay for peace of mind and early detection.
3. Bone Mineral Density Tests
Women start to lose bone mass more rapidly after 40, especially as estrogen levels decline. This can lead to osteoporosis—a condition where bones become brittle and more likely to fracture.
A bone mineral density test, such as a DEXA scan, can show how strong your bones are. If that test isn’t available, your doctor might start by checking your calcium and vitamin D levels through bloodwork.
If you're already noticing back pain, shrinking height, or poor posture, it’s worth checking your bone health early.
4. Hormone Panel
Women in their 40s often notice changes in their menstrual cycle. Periods can become irregular, heavier, or lighter, and hot flashes, sleep issues, or mood swings can start to show up.
These symptoms may point to perimenopause—a transition to menopause. A hormone panel measuring estrogen, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), luteinizing hormone (LH), and sometimes thyroid levels, can give more clarity.
Understanding where you are hormonally helps guide decisions about supplements or hormone therapy. It’s especially important for women considering pregnancy at this age or those with underlying reproductive health concerns.
Catch it Early & Stay Ahead
A slightly elevated blood sugar may not seem urgent, but it could be a sign of prediabetes. A borderline cholesterol level today could lead to clogged arteries a few years from now.
At this age, lifestyle changes aren’t about crash diets or short-term fixes.
If your blood pressure is edging up, cutting back on salty foods and managing stress can make a difference.
If your liver enzymes are off, it might be time to ease up on alcohol or rethink your eating habits.
If your thyroid hormones are imbalanced, understanding the root cause can help explain fatigue, weight gain, or mood shifts that seemed unrelated.
Filipinos often put off check-ups until they feel sick. But by then, you’re not catching a health issue—you’re already dealing with its consequences.
Many conditions like hypertension, Type 2 diabetes, or even certain cancers develop quietly over the years. That’s why regular lab work acts as a checkpoint. It gives you a chance to act early, when lifestyle changes and simple interventions are most effective.
Turning 40 doesn’t mean your health has to decline—it means you now have enough insight, access, and experience to take control of it.
At Bloodworks Lab, we believe health care starts with awareness. That’s why we make testing easy, affordable, and accurate—so you can stop guessing and start making informed decisions.
Whether it’s your first full panel or a routine follow-up, your next lab visit could be the most important step you take this year.
BloodWorks Lab is your one-stop shop for all your blood test needs.
We are the first in the country to offer the Anti-Acetylcholine Receptor (IgG) Antibody Test and the Anti-N-Methyl-D-Aspartate Receptor (Anti-NMDA Receptor) Antibody Test.
Book your appointment today.
Our branches are in Alabang, Katipunan, and Cebu.