Introduction
Health and wellness are a complete state of physical, mental and social well-being including clinical well-being and absence from disease. Wellness is the action that makes people take steps to create awareness and choices towards their on-going living.
It is important to maintain the well-being of yourself and conduct wellness and health checks at least on an annual basis. Early detection of diseases can help individuals survive many critical diseases and avoid long-term complications and increase the quality of a person’s life.
Why Regular Health Checkups Matter?
Routine health screening, depending on a person’s age is highly,recommended. These include regular health exams, body mass index (BMI) checks ,cholesterol and blood pressure checks, eye exams, and many other screenings as recommended by your physician. This should also cover any vaccination requirements depending on possible titer results.
Preventive care is crucial to avoid diseases becoming chronic, and at times becoming unmanageable ,leading to death. Preventive care is like maintaining a car, so it runs smoothly. The human body is in a constant, delicate balance. In the event something is out of balance, it causes the body to react, leading to diseases or other wellness issues. Regular checkups can help detect these imbalances early and prevent further effects on the body
Essential Health Tests You Shouldn’t Skip
Complete Blood Count (CBC) Test
A complete blood count (CBC) also known as a hemogram test, provides information about a person’s white blood cells, red blood cells & Blood platelets and a person’s hemoglobin and hematocrit (volume of red blood count).
This test is used as an indicator for diseases like leukemia, lymphoma, anemia, heart conditions, autoimmune disease and other infections.
Anemia – is an infection that causes abnormal low and high white blood cell count, bone marrow infections, nutrition deficiencies, cancer.
The following are the normal ranges for CBC:
| Type of Cell | Male (million /mm3) | Female (million /mm3) |
| Red Blood Cell | 4.35 – 5.65 | 3.92 – 5.13 |
| White Blood Cell | 5,000 – 10,000 (adult) | 5,000 – 10,000 (adult) |
| Hemoglobin | 13.0 – 16.0 g/dL(over 15 years) | 11.5 – 15.5 g/dL (over 15 years) |
| Hematocrit | 40 – 55% | 36 – 48% |
| Platelet | 150,000 – 400,000 (adult) | 150,000 – 400,000 (adult) |
The test results you receive will indicate each category and if a result is out of range, it will usually be flagged accordingly. If you need assistance in reading the results, the laboratory or your provider that conducted the test can help you navigate the document. Please note that CBC results can vary slightly depending on the laboratory performing the test, any hormone medication a person is taking, the person’s age,or if a person is pregnant.
A CBC test is often conducted annually as part of a physician’s well checkup of a person. It could also be conducted if your provider suspects that a person has a specific disease for example an infection, cancer or a bleeding disorder. This test is commonly used in hospital setting to monitor a person’s responseto treatment.
Cholesterol and Lipid Profile Test
A cholesterol test ,also known as a lipid profile test, measures the level of triglycerides and other fats in a person’s blood. Monitoring cholesterol is important to reduce the risk of heart attacks and strokes. The good Cholesterol (HDL) should be high (above 60 mg/dL), while the bad cholesterol (LDL) should be below 100mg/dL. The total cholesterol level should ideally be below 200 mg/dL.
High cholesterol levels cause damage to your artery walls as it builds plaque ,causing coronary heart diseases, peripheral artery disease ,and carotid artery disease. This condition blocks the normal flow of blood to your heart, legs ,arms and brain. The plaque build can happen without symptoms and cause heart attacks and strokes. Hence, this test is important to determine if there is excessive plaque buildup in a person’s blood stream.
This test is commonly conducted during an annual physical or more frequently if a person shows signs of potential heart issues.
Blood Pressure Screening
Blood pressure screening can be conducted by your provider or on your own. This test measures the pressure within a person’s arteries. Blood pressure or hypertension is a routine health checkup.
Depending on a person’s general health, blood pressure monitoring can be done frequently to monitor levels of pressure. Most people ages 18-39 who do not have any known heart ailments, could wait as long as 2-5 years to get their pressure checked.
People over 40 years of age should have their blood pressure checked every year.
Individuals with chronic blood pressure conditions should test their pressure more frequently. There are many affordable blood pressure monitors that can be purchased and used within an individual’s home.
Blood Sugar Test (Glucose Test)
Blood sugar tests are used to determine the amount of sugar in blood. Measuring blood sugar defines the possibility of diabetes or pre-diabetic conditions.
Blood sugar levels for individuals who are diabetic should be measured continuously using a Continuous Glucose Monitor (CGM). The devices measure blood sugar levels throughout the day and night.
Other methods to define blood sugar levels are done using a blood sugar meter, a plasma test, oral glucose test and a random plasma glucose test.
These tests provide useful information to manage diabetes, track the effects of diabetes medication on the levels of sugar in the human body and modify medication dosages to adjust to the individual’s requirements.
The frequency of testing depends on the type of diabetes a person has. Your provider is the best person to guide you through the process. Individuals who are not showing signs of pre-diabetes or being diabetic will be tested as part of their annual physical which will provide direction on diabetic management if required.
Liver and Kidney Function Tests
The liver is a critical organ in the human body as it helps the body filter toxins. The kidneys filter the toxins and create urine.
The liver regulates the chemical balance in the blood and creates bile ,which disposes waste products. The liver processes blood from the stomach and creates non-toxic products that the body can digest. The liver has more than 500 critical functions related to the human body.
Some of the important functions of the liver are as follows:
- Production of bile to help omit waste
- Creates proteins for plasma
- Produces cholesterol for fats
- Manages glucose levels in the body
- Processes hemoglobin for iron
- Manages the body from poisonous drugs
- Manages infections
The most important function of the kidney are to remove toxins from the human body.
Some of the important functions include the following:
- Maintains the body fluid balance (pH balance)
- Adjusts salt levels
- Creates hormones for Vitamin D for calcium management
- Manages blood pressure by creating proteins
- Generates glucose if there is a shortage of glucose in the blood
The frequency of testing is often done annually as a routine for an individual’s annual physical. However, if a person has indicators of kidney or liver function issues, your provider could request for more frequent testing.
Cancer Screenings
Cancer screening is a process to manage the generation of abnormal cell formation that could become cancer. The process is done when an individual does not have any cancer symptoms. Cancer screening tests have been shown to detect early stages of cancer, preventing individuals from dying from the disease.
Pap Smear & HPV Test (for cervical cancer)
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) also called a Pap smear test manages cervical cancers. It is recommended that these tests be conducted after the age of 21 years to 65 years.
Individuals in the high-risk category should test more frequently. High risk is defined as individuals who have HIV, a weakened immune system, if a person had an abnormal cervical test or biopsy, or if you have had cervical cancer.
Mammogram (for breast cancer detection)
An MRI of the breast is a screening process used for those who conduct annual physical checks or those who have breast cancer. Individuals who have the BRCA1 gene or the BRCA2 gene should have mammograms more frequently ,as the gene has been shown to make women more prone to breast cancer.
Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) Test (for prostate cancer)
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is a blood test done in conjunction with a rectal exam to determine prostate cancer. This screening can reduce the risk of cancer developing but needs to be cautiously administered, as it has risks of overdiagnosis or false positive results.
Colonoscopy (for colorectal cancer)
Colorectal cancer is a cancer that develops in the colon and / or rectum. The disease is caused by the over division of abnormal cells in the colon, ultimately causing cancer tumors. With screening of the colon, these lesions may not develop into cancer as they can be removed. Individuals over the age of 50 years should get regular screening to intercept the cell abnormalities.
Individuals who have a family history and risk factors should have colonoscopies regularly and as prescribed by their physician.
Thyroid Function Test
The thyroid gland makes thyroid hormones that are distributed to all the tissues in the human body. These hormones help the body generate energy and keep the brain, heart ,and muscles working correctly. The major thyroid hormone is the T4 hormone.
A thyroid test may be requested by your physician if you feel fatigue, sluggish, anxious ,or irritable , coupled with weight changes. Thyroid tests are also conducted as part of a person’s annual physical check.
Thyroid tests can be conducted using blood tests or imaging tests.
Vitamin and Mineral Deficiency Tests
Nutrition is important for the human body to process all functions. It is one of the most important factors that reduces diseases in a person for their entire life. Micronutrients and macronutrients are major sources of generating energy and managing the human metabolism.
Nutritional deficiency is the reduction of one or more nutrients that the body needs to function causing diseases like diabetes, heart ailments, anorexia nervosa. Osteoporosis and cancer as some examples of nutrition deficiency.
Malnutrition has several indicators:
- More prone to illness and infection
- Wounds take longer to heal
- Heart rate slows down, low blood pressure and body temperature
- Loss of appetite
- General weakness and feeling faint
- Vision and bone Issues (due to lack of Vitamin A or Vitamin D)
The consumption of too many calories without sufficient vitamins and minerals can also cause malnutrition as the balance of intake is not there. This kind of malnutrition is less obvious. These individuals can show symptoms of insulin resistance, high blood pressure and metabolic syndrome.
The human body must retain a balance of proper intake to avoid potential diseases.
Who Should Get Regular Health Checkups?
Annual physical exams are highly recommended for individuals over the age of 50 years and once every 3 years for those under 50 ,unless a person has a high-risk condition. Those with chronic diseases should see their physician more frequently and as determined by their doctor.
How to Schedule a Health Checkup?
When choosing your diagnostic center, it is best to look for reliable, accredited centers. It takes research, talking to your network to find out who is reliable and who to choose for your care.
Health checks include blood draws for standard disease monitoring and ongoing health management. During your visit, your physician will provide you with feedback on your tests and discuss any concerns and follow-up treatment required.
SmarTest Labs, an accredited laboratory provides you with state-of-the-art tests that your provider can analyze. We do not provide medical care but provide you the tools to discuss your care with your physician.
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