Top 10 Pathology Tests Every Adult Should Do Once a Year
Introduction
Most health problems do not begin suddenly. Conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, thyroid imbalance, anaemia, fatty liver, kidney disease and vitamin deficiencies often develop quietly over months or years. Many people feel normal in the early stages, which is why routine pathology testing is so important. Annual blood and urine tests help you understand what is happening inside your body before symptoms become serious. Blood tests can help with both prevention and treatment of disease. Many of the types of blood tests that you might want to use as part of preventive health care include the following:
Table of Content:
- Introduction
- CBC (Complete Blood Count)
- Blood Sugar Tests
- Lipid Profile
- Liver Function Test
- Kidney Function Test
- Thyroid Function Test
- Vitamin D Test
- Vitamin B12 Test
- Urine Routine Examination
- Inflammation Markers
- Importance of Yearly Testing
- Final Thoughts
1. CBC (Complete Blood Count)
CBC is one of the most common and useful blood tests. It measures many things including the numbers of red and white blood cells, haemoglobin in the blood, and the number of platelets. The information from this test will assist your doctor in detecting anaemia, an infectious disease, inflammation, low immunity, and even some forms of blood disorders. If you feel tired, weak, dizzy, or sick frequently, a CBC may help you identify potential health problems.
2. Blood Sugar Tests
Diabetes is becoming increasingly common among adults, and many people do not realise they have high blood sugar until complications begin. Fasting Blood Sugar, Postprandial Blood Sugar and HbA1c are commonly recommended tests. HbA1c is especially useful because it shows your average blood sugar level over the past two to three months. Regular testing helps detect diabetes and prediabetes early.
3. Lipid Profile
The purpose of a lipid profile is to evaluate your cholesterol levels, specifically total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides. Although high cholesterol does not typically cause symptoms, it does put you at risk for developing a heart or a stroke. Additionally, if you suffer from any of the following: high blood pressure, obesity, diabetes, a family history of coronary artery disease or lead an inactive lifestyle, knowing your cholesterol levels would help you effectively respond to it through changes in your diet, exercise or medical treatment.
4. Liver Function Test
Your liver is responsible for many important functions such as digesting food, metabolizing nutrients, detoxifying poisons, and storing certain nutrients. A liver function test can help determine how well your liver is working by measuring SGPT, SGOT, bilirubin, albumin and alkaline phosphatase levels. A liver function test can also identify fatty liver disease, hepatitis, alcohol-related liver damage, medications that may cause liver injury and a variety of other liver conditions. Fatty liver disease has become increasingly common in young adults and therefore an annual liver function test can be beneficial.
5. Kidney Function Test
Your kidneys filter your blood to rid it of waste and help regulate fluid and mineral balance in your body. Typically, kidney function tests will evaluate creatinine, urea, uric acid and electrolyte levels. Because there are typically no visible (i.e. symptoms) signs of kidney disease early on, this can become an issue for those diagnosed with diabetes or hypertension. However, by having your kidneys tested regularly, you will allow yourself the opportunity to have any issues identified before serious damage is done.
6. Thyroid Function Test
The thyroid gland controls metabolism, energy, body weight, mood, heart rate and hormonal balance. Thyroid Function Tests usually include TSH, T3 and T4. Fatigue, excess or loss of weight, loss of hair, changes in mood, irregular periods or cycles, difficulty concentrating, and other similar symptoms can all be caused by an imbalance in your thyroid. Because stress and lifestyle issues are frequently confused with the aforementioned symptoms, if you experience any of these symptoms, a yearly blood test to check your thyroid levels will help you determine what is causing the problem.
7. Vitamin D Test
Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that plays an important role in maintaining the proper formation of bone density and strength, maintaining your immune system, maintaining muscle mass and strength, and maintaining energy level throughout the day. The lower a person’s Vitamin D level is, the more likely he/she will have body aches, weakness, low energy, frequent infections, and poor bone density or strength. Most people spend long hours inside, without any exposure to the sun; therefore Vitamin D level checks should be performed, at minimum, once a year during your regular checkup(s).
8. Vitamin B12 Test
B12 is required for healthy nerve cells, red blood cell production and function, and brain health; there is a higher incidence of B12 deficiency in older adults, vegetarians, and those who have digestive problems. A B12 test should be done at least once a year to ensure that you are not experiencing B12 deficiency prior to developing nerve-related symptoms.
9. Urine Routine Examination
Urine analysis is a quick and easy test that provides valuable information about a person’s overall health. Urinary tract infections, kidney problems, diabetes, and protein loss through urine can all be detected through this type of testing. Urine can change in some cases, while in other cases no visible symptoms will occur; however, changes in urine can provide an early warning sign of a health problem.
10. Inflammation Markers
Inflammation is measured using the Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate (ESR) and C-Reactive Protein (CRP). These tests can help rule out infections, autoimmune diseases or chronic inflammation when combined with other symptoms by a physician; they cannot solely offer a definitive diagnosis of any one specific condition. If an individual is experiencing body aches, fever, joint pain or unexplained fatigue for several weeks, these two tests may provide additional insight into their overall health status.
Importance of Yearly Testing
Obtaining an annual pathology test will give you a general idea of your current health; by continuing to receive annual tests over time, your physician can monitor and compare values in your medical history; this helps identify trends and detect potential problems sooner rather than later. Blood glucose level can be monitored as it transitions from a normal value to a borderline result before diabetes develops.
Cholesterol levels have been found to slowly increase prior to presenting with an increased risk for heart disease. Kidney function can begin to decline long before symptoms develop. Therefore, by identifying any changes in activity level or dietary habits early on, an individual is given an opportunity to initiate positive lifestyle changes, receive necessary medical attention and avoid developing additional complications due to their pre-existing condition.
Sikund Diagnostic is dedicated to improving preventative healthcare by providing accurate results, supporting reasonable recommendations and empowering individuals and physicians to make informed decisions regarding their health care needs.
Final Thoughts
Annual pathology testing is not about fear; it is about awareness. A few simple tests once a year can reveal important information about your blood, liver, kidneys, thyroid, vitamins, heart risk and overall wellness. If you are above 30, have a family history of chronic disease, experience fatigue, live a stressful lifestyle or have existing medical conditions, routine testing becomes even more important. Prevention is always easier than treating advanced disease.
