Ferritin
- What it measures
- Your iron stores.
- Why it matters
- Low iron is linked with restless legs and broken sleep.
Well Man Clinic
Sleep
Sleep deeply and wake refreshed.
What it is
Sleep is when the brain clears waste, the body repairs, and hormones and blood sugar reset. Poor sleep affects energy, mood, weight, heart health and focus.
Problems falling asleep, waking in the night or waking unrefreshed usually have causes that can be found, from stress and blood sugar to breathing problems during sleep.
Is this you?
- Trouble falling asleep
- Waking at 3 am and struggling to get back to sleep
- Snoring, or pauses in breathing noticed by a partner
- Daytime sleepiness
- Restless legs in the evening
Common root causes
We look at all three corners of the body–mind–brain triangle.
Body
Overnight blood sugar dips, low iron, alcohol and needing to pass urine at night.
Mind
Racing thoughts, worry, irregular routines and late screen use.
Brain
An overactive stress system, a disrupted body clock, and sleep apnoea reducing oxygen to the brain.
How we assess it
Sleep and sleepiness questionnaires, a sleep apnoea risk screen, heart rate variability and relevant blood tests.
Available in clinic in Llandudno, or remotely by video with home or partner-site blood tests.
If you snore loudly and feel sleepy during the day, see your GP about a sleep study. Don't drive if you feel sleepy.
Take the symptom profile
Our Whole-Body Health Profile covers sleep and every other body system, with sections written just for men. It shows which areas are worth investigating, and takes about 15 to 20 minutes.
Key lab tests
The tests most often useful for sleep. Every test includes a practitioner review of your results.
Salivary cortisol rhythm
- What it measures
- Cortisol at several points across the day.
- Why it matters
- Can show a stress hormone pattern that may disturb sleep. Its evidence base is still developing, and we'll explain what it can and can't show.
HbA1c
- What it measures
- Your average blood sugar.
- Why it matters
- Blood sugar problems can disturb sleep, and poor sleep worsens blood sugar.
Start with the Men's Health MOT
One assessment, a full picture of your health, and a clear plan.