Contents
Overview
An annual visit to the doctor is the foundation of good care. Regular blood testing is one of the most important ways to keep track of your overall physical well-being. Getting tested at routine intervals helps to track changes to your body over time and make informed decisions about your health.
The recommendations regarding the frequency of routine checkups are based on your age, risk factors, and current health status.
For men and women, an adult annual checkup should include a review and update of:
- medical history
- family history
- medication list and allergies
- vaccination and screening test history
Men and women are typically screened for:
- high blood pressure
- obesity, based on your body mass index
- tobacco use
- alcohol and drug misuse
- depression
- type 2 diabetes for anyone with risk factors or a family history
- kidney disease
- liver disease
HbA1c test
Adults over 45 should get tested to screen for diabetes and prediabetes. If your results are normal, you should repeat the test every three years. If your results show you have prediabetes, you should get tested every one-two years.
If you are under 45, you may need this test if you have certain risk factors. These include:
- Being overweight or obese
- High blood pressure
- History of heart disease
- Physical inactivity
Lipid Profile
Men ages 45 to 65 and women ages 55 to 65 should get their cholesterol checked every two years. People over 65 should receive cholesterol tests annually.
One may require more frequent testing if the initial test results were abnormal or if one already has coronary artery disease. Regular screening may be needed if one is on cholesterol-lowering medications or at higher risk of coronary artery disease because you:
- Have a family history of high cholesterol or heart attacks
- Are overweight
- Are physically inactive
- Have diabetes
- Eat an unhealthy diet
- Smoke cigarettes
Kidney Function Tests (KFT)
The sooner you know you have kidney disease, the sooner you can get treatment to help protect your kidneys. Blood and urine tests show how well the kidneys are doing their job and how quickly body wastes are being removed.
Get checked for kidney disease if you have
- diabetes
- high blood pressure
- heart disease
- a family history of kidney failure
Liver Function Tests (LFT)
Liver function tests (also known as a liver panel) are blood tests used to help diagnose and monitor liver disease or damage.
Why do I need liver function testing?
You may need liver function testing if you have symptoms of liver disease. These include:
- Jaundice, a condition that causes your skin and eyes to turn yellow
- Nausea and vomiting
- Diarrhoea
- Abdominal pain
- Dark-coloured urine
- Light-coloured stool
- Fatigue
You may also need these tests if you have certain risk factors. You may be at higher risk for liver disease if you:
- Have a family history of liver disease
- Have alcohol use disorder, a condition in which you have difficulty controlling how much you drink
- Think you have been exposed to a hepatitis virus
- Take medicines that may cause liver damage
Calcium
Many people with high or low calcium levels do not have any symptoms. Your health care provider may order a calcium test if you have a pre-existing condition that may affect your calcium levels. These include:
- Kidney disease
- Thyroid disease
- Malnutrition
- Certain types of cancer
Thyroid Function
You may need a TSH test if you have symptoms of too much thyroid hormone in your blood (hyperthyroidism), or too little thyroid hormone (hypothyroidism).
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism, also known as overactive thyroid, include:
- Anxiety
- Weight loss
- Tremors in the hands
- Increased heart rate
- Puffiness
- Bulging of the eyes
- Difficulty sleeping
Symptoms of hypothyroidism, also known as underactive thyroid, include:
- Weight gain
- Tiredness
- Hair loss
- Low tolerance for cold temperatures
- Irregular menstrual periods
- Constipation
Vitamin B12 test
Your provider may also recommend a vitamin B12 test if you have specific nervous system symptoms. A low level of B12 can cause numbness or tingling in the arms and legs, weakness, and loss of balance.
Other conditions for which the test may be done include:
- Sudden severe confusion (delirium)
- Loss of brain function (dementia)
- Dementia due to metabolic causes
- Nerve abnormalities, such as peripheral neuropathy
Vitamin D
You need to undergo vitamin D test if you fall into any one of the following categories:
- You suffer from bone problems:
- You have a disease that reduces the body’s ability to use vitamin D
- You are over 60
- You are overweight
- Your exposure to sunlight is limited
- You underwent weight-loss surgeries
- If you are taking certain medicines that affect vitamin D metabolism.
- Your diet lacks a source of vitamin D
- You are suffering regularly from one of these: Frequent nausea, vomiting, poor appetite, constipation, weakness can be a sign of excess vitamin D in the body.
Disclaimer:
This blog is for informational purposes only and should not be construed as advice or as a substitute for consulting a physician. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment from a healthcare professional.
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