Health tests are important to help manage ongoing health outcomes before they morph into complex diseases. Simple annual blood tests can provide a person with insights into their well-being or if they need to react to potential diseases like diabetes, high cholesterol, hypertension, vitamin deficiencies and even many cancers.
These tests help humanity live longer, productive lives and modify lifestyle changes. Lifestyle changes include diet changes regular exercises and avoiding tobacco products. History shows that the human life has been extended significantly due to ongoing health tests.
Why Health Tests Matter at Every Age
Health screening is the process used to detect early onset of a diseases. The ability to determine the onset of disease provides for appropriate intervention to prevent the disease from becoming worse.
The myth that when you are young you do not need regular, annual health screening is not true. Starting at different ages, the screening will be different. For e.g. if a person is eighteen years of age the nature of the screening could be different to those who are older and in their sixties.
Health Tests for Every Age Group
Health Tests for Teens & Young Adults (Ages 18-30)
The frequency of tests will depend on the outcome of the tests performed. If the test has indicators, further tests will be required to monitor potential progress of the disease. Annual screening is recommended for those eighteen years and older. The chart below provides guidance on age related tests and the timing of each test.
Health screening is managed by age and indicators of risk levels that individuals have.
Common screening requirements include the following:
- Blood Pressure – Measure the amount of pressure in your arteries as the heart pumps. The American Health Association (AHA) recommends that people with high blood pressure monitor their blood pressure at home. These can be done with devices that can be used at home. Keep records of pressure taken to monitors progress of the pressure.
- Hepatitis C – This is a virus that attacks the liver and causes inflammation of the liver. The symptoms are fatigue, nausea and loss of appetite leading to yellowing of the eyes and skin. It is spread through contact with contaminated blood or sharing of needles. Blood and PCR tests can be conducted to determine if a person is infected.
- Cholesterol – Cholesterol screening is conducted through a blood test that measures the number of triglycerides in a person’s blood stream. Cholesterol builds up called plaque causes blockage of arteries leading coronary heart diseases.
- HIV Test – Can be either a blood test, saliva test or urine to determine if a person has been infected with the HIV Virus. The virus causes an acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) which is an advanced stage of the disease. The disease is spread when a person has sexual contact with another who is infected, using and sharing needles, syringes and other drug equipment. The disease may not produce symptoms and causes the infection to spread. Those who are at high risk are people who have unprotected sex, healthcare workers who may be exposed with bodily fluids and travelers who travel to high-risk areas of the world.
- Diabetes – This is a blood test to measure the blood sugar levels in a person’s blood stream. If your level is higher than 140mg/dL, you will need to get further testing conducted called a glucose intolerant test.
- Wellness Screening – These a conducted as routine screening procedure. It assists you and your provider to baseline your health and understand any deviations from the baseline. Any conditions caught early, can help your provider manage ways to avoid the condition from getting worse. Tests done include Complete Blood Count, Liver Panel, Basic Metabolic tests.
- Prostate Cancer – Is determined by a Prostrate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test. This is a protein that can produce cancerous tissue. High levels of PSA can be an indicator that there is a potential of cancer developing. Although PSA scores are not the ultimate determinator of prostate cancer. If your provider determines there is sufficient evidence of cancerous cells, a biopsy of the prostrate may be recommended.
- Note: While the tables below reflect general health screening recommendations by age group, not all tests listed are available through SmarTest Labs. Please consult with your healthcare provider or SmarTest Labs to confirm available services.
The tables below provide a guideline for age related screening. Please consult your provider if there a risk factors like family history of conditions that may provide indicators that require more frequent testing.
Table 1: Age Group 18 – 39 years
| Important screening types | Frequency of Test by Age Groups | Frequency of Test by Age Groups |
| Women | Men | |
| Blood Pressure | Every 2 years for normal pressure. Frequency increases to annually if pressure shows high indicators. | Every 2 years for normal pressure. Frequency increases to annually if pressure shows high indicators. |
| Cervical Cancer Screening (women) | Every 3 years after age 21 years. HPV tests after 30 years.
|
NA |
| Hepatitis C | Need to have a one-time blood screening to check for Hepatitis C | Need to have a one-time blood screening to check for Hepatitis C |
| Cholesterol | High Risk – May require more frequent checks . Normal – Annual checks. | High Risk – May require more frequent checks . Normal – Annual checks. |
| HIV | Annually if sexually active
High Risk – requires more frequent tests |
Annually if sexually active
High Risk – requires more frequent tests |
| Vision | Every 2 years if there are family related risk factors. | Every 2 years if there are family related risk factors. |
| Skin Checks | Regular Checks for unusual moles or skin changes | Regular Checks for unusual moles or skin changes |
| Diabetes (A1c) | Normal – Annually. More frequently if blood sugar is not normal. | Normal – Annually. More frequently if blood sugar is not normal. |
| Wellness visits | Annual –Check for Iron deficiency, Complete Blood Count, Vitamin D and Blood Counts | Annual – Includes Mental Health Check, Check for Iron deficiency, Complete Blood Count, Vitamin D and Blood Counts |
| Flu Vaccine | Annual | Annual |
Health Tests for Adults (Ages 40-80 & above)
Table 2: Age Group 40 – 80 years
In age groups that are Forty years and older, some tests are done in addition to regular screening tests. These added screenings are important as they are indicators as age progresses.
| Screening types | Frequency of Test by Age Groups | Frequency of Test by Age Groups |
| Women | Men | |
| Blood Pressure | Every 2 years for normal pressure. Frequency increases to annually if pressure shows high indicators. | Every 2 years for normal pressure. Frequency increases to annually if pressure shows high indicators. |
| Cervical Cancer Screening (women) | Every 3 years after age 21 years. HPV tests after 30 years.
|
NA |
| Hepatitis C | Adults 18 – 79 – Need to have a one-time blood screening. | Adults 18 – 79 – Need to have a one-time blood screening. |
| Cholesterol | High Risk – May require more frequent checks. Normal – Annual Checks | High Risk – May require more frequent checks. Normal – Annual checks |
| HIV | Annually if sexually active
High Risk – requires more frequent tests |
Annually if sexually active
High Risk – requires more frequent tests |
| Vision | Every 2 years if there are family related risk factors. | Every 2 years if there are family related risk factors. |
| Colon Cancer | Normal Screening – Once in 10 years
Abnormal Screening and High Risk – This will depend on the extent of the abnormality. Physician determination is required. |
Normal Screening – Once in 10 years
Abnormal Screening and High Risk – This will depend on the extent of the abnormality. Physician determination is required. |
| Breast Cancer | First Mammogram – At age 40 years – 50 years unless there are high risk indicators followed by annual checks. | Can occur in men (1 in 100 breast cancers are diagnosed in men). Talk to your physician if you think you have discomfort. |
| Prostate Cancer | These tests should be conducted beginning age 50 through age 69 unless determined by physician that it should proceed more frequently and beyond age 69 years. | |
| Skin Checks | Regular Checks for unusual moles or skin changes | Regular Checks for unusual moles or skin changes |
| Diabetes (A1c) | Normal – Annually. More frequently if blood sugar is not normal. | Normal – Annually. More frequently if blood sugar is not normal. |
| Wellness visits | Annual – Includes Mental Health Check, Check for Iron deficiency, Complete Blood Count, Vitamin D and Comprehensive Metabolic tests | Annual – Includes Mental Health Check, Check for Iron deficiency, Complete Blood Count, Vitamin D and Blood Counts |
| Osteoporosis | DEXA Scans should start at 65 years and repeated as determined by a physician. | Could be requested by your provider if necessary. The National Institute of Health recommended that men over the age of 70 and older or younger men with risk factors get screened. |
| Flu Vaccine | Annual | Annual |
SmarTest Labs does not offer some of these tests, such as:
- Colonoscopiesm (surgical Procedure)
- Mammograms
- Prostate biopsies (surgical Procedure)
- Cognitive Functions
These tests are typically performed in specialized facilities as it is categorized a surgical procedure and are not currently offered by SmarTest Labs.
Colon Cancer
Normal Screening – Once in 10 years*
Note: Colonoscopy procedures are not provided by SmarTest Labs.
Where to Get Reliable Health Tests
SmarTest Labs – Your Trusted Health Partner
At SmarTest Labs, we focus on delivering high-quality, convenient, and affordable health screening services for people of all age groups. While we may not offer invasive procedures such as colonoscopies or mammograms, our comprehensive lab tests cover a wide range of crucial early detection screenings, including:
- Blood pressure
- Diabetes (A1C, blood glucose)
- Cholesterol panels
- STI/STD screenings
- Hepatitis C and HIV
- Wellness panels (CBC, iron, vitamin D, liver and kidney functions)
Our mission is to empower you with accessible preventive testing that helps you stay ahead of potential health concerns.
Convenient Testing with Fast Results
Our testing centers offer:
- Quick and confidential services
- Same-day or next-day results for most lab tests
- Affordable pricing and packages
Book Your Checkup Today!
Call us at 301-686-8566 or contact@smartestlabs.com
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