Screening Tests for Good Health

Every doctor has in his or her own repertoire a list of screening tests to do on people at different ages and with different risk factors. You should always ask your doctor about which screening tests are appropriate for you. In the meantime, these are some screening tests that might be important for you to do. Most are blood tests but not all. Let’s take a look at the screening tests your doctor might order on you.

· Thyroid testing. The thyroid gland in your neck makes two major hormones, T4 and T3 which control your metabolism. Without a functioning thyroid gland, you feel sluggish, cold and gain weight. With an overactive thyroid gland, you lose weight, get shaky and have emotional disturbances. A blood test for a TSH, T4 and T3 will tell you if you have a thyroid condition that needs treating. Thyroid disease is more common in women than in men.

· Iron testing. This is a test for women who are of child-bearing age. It can be a result of menstruation blood loss or blood loss due to pregnancy. Women who take hormone replacement therapy or who are vegetarian are also at a higher risk.

· Vitamin D testing. This is a test that should be done on those who live at higher latitudes and experience very little sunshine during winter. Vitamin D is gotten from the sun and when it is low, you can have bone loss, among other things.

· C reactive protein test. This is a blood test, also called CRP testing, which measures whether or not you have an inflammatory condition or an infection in your body. Men or women can get this kind of testing.

· Lipid testing. This is a measure of the good cholesterol, the bad cholesterol, the total cholesterol and the triglycerides. High levels of these blood fats put you at a greater risk of heart disease and stroke.

· Diabetes testing. The major test for diabetes is a fasting blood glucose level. A normal fasting blood glucose level is 100 mg/dL. Numbers between 100 and 125 are considered possibly being related to pre-diabetes. A blood sugar level of 125 mg/dL on a fasting basis can mean that you have diabetes, which can lead to heart disease, stroke, amputation and blindness, among other things.

· Bone Density test. This is a common test for women over the age of 60. It is a test that measures bone density. Low bone density readings can mean you’re at risk for fractures if you fall or lose your balance.

· Peak flow reading. This is a test tha measures the function of your bronchial tree and lungs. If you have hidden cases of asthma or COPD/emphysema. Such a test can be done in anyone based on a history of breathing problems.