Long-term care
Preventive health check-ups: what is worth doing, and how often
· 6 min read
Packaged "full body" panels sell well and often test the wrong things. A short, age-appropriate list is better medicine and cheaper.
In your twenties and thirties
Blood pressure, weight and waist measurement, and a check of blood sugar and cholesterol if you have a family history or carry extra weight. Dental and eye checks every couple of years.
In your forties
Add regular blood sugar and lipid testing, thyroid if symptoms suggest it, and a conversation about heart risk. Women should discuss breast and cervical screening intervals with their doctor.
Fifty and beyond
Continue the above, add bone health and vitamin D where relevant, and follow your doctor's advice on colon and prostate screening. Vaccination status is worth reviewing too.
Ask before you buy a package
Show the package contents to your physician first. Half the tests in a typical panel will not change anything about your care, and abnormal-but-harmless results lead to anxiety and more tests.
Frequently asked questions
How often should a healthy adult have a check-up?
Once a year for basic measurements is plenty for most healthy adults, with blood tests at the interval your doctor recommends.
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