Prevention is better than cure, as they say, but how can you prevent diseases when you do not know what you are looking for? Well, in certain senior ages, one also faces the difficulty of remembering what tests should be done and what to look for. So, to simplify things, these are a few of the tests and signs that one should take note of:
BLOOD PRESSURE
This is easy to detect but very hard to predict… as there are no clear-cut symptoms that really point to an impending increase in one’s blood pressure, and this goes unnoticed and untreated. The more delayed the detection, the more damage occurs to your heart and blood vessels, increasing your chances of a heart attack or stroke. Each day that passes, increases your risk.
Your favorite food will also play a role, as with salt, saturated fat, and too much alcohol being the top dangers. Some medications can also raise BP.
How to test: Get any healthcare provider to take your BP, it is a basic screening
When to screen: Starting at the age of 18, then every year
Your target: Blood pressure equal or under 120/80 mmHg
CHOLESTEROL
Blood cholesterol— a waxy, fatty substance— is needed to build healthy cell membranes and protect the nerve cells in your brain, but whatever the body does not use up to perform the essential work may cause build-up and later on damage to the body. The “bad” form (LDL) clings to the arteries and impairing blood flow… sabotaging your heart and triggering inflammation. The “good” form (HDL) soaks up excess cholesterol and brings it back to the liver for metabolism. You can raise HDL by exercise and eating green leafy vegetables, but you should still be screened.
How to test: Go to your nearest medical laboratory (needs a 12-13 hour of fasting—no food or liquids by mouth)
When to screen: Start at the age of 20, then as recommended by a doctor
Your target: Total cholesterol between 160 – 200 mg/dL, LDL below 100 mg/dL, HDL above 60 mg/dL
THYROID-STIMULATING HORMONE
An underactive or overactive thyroid can make your favorite workouts far more difficult. That’s because the thyroid hormone regulates how much energy is reached in all cells, including muscle cells: too little thyroid hormone (which is separate from TSH) can leave you feeling weak and bring about hypothyroidism .Too little TSH is a sign of hyperthyroidism and may make you feel jittery.
How to test: Go to your nearest medical laboratory (no need for fasting)
When to screen: Start at age 35, then every three to five years
Your target: TSH level between 0.27 and 4.2 mIU/L
IRON (SERUM FERRITIN)
Iron is the key ingredient in the production of hemoglobin, where it ferries oxygen from the lungs to the muscles. If the hemoglobin is low, your body workouts may pay the price. Although there are no alarms to announce early iron deficiency, some symptoms may offer a clue, these are: increased fatigue, lack of energy, sore muscles, achy joints, and sliding performance. If iron stores are not back to a healthy state, heart problems may also arise.
How to test: Go to your nearest medical laboratory (no need for fasting)
When to screen: As symptoms occur, vegetarians and women may want to ask about preventive screenings
Your target: Above 400 ug/L
BLOOD SUGAR
Developed by the carbohydrates you eat, blood sugar (a.k.a sugar) is a major source of fuel for your body. To use the fuel for energy, your body needs the hormone insulin to get sugar from the blood into the cells. In type 2 diabetes (which the most common form), the cells either ignore the insulin or the body does not make enough of it. Sugar then builds up, leading to problems with heart, kidneys, eyes, nerves, and blood vessels.
In early the stages, diabetes often goes unnoticed: You can feel hungrier and thirstier than usual, be tired and cranky, or have to make more trips to the bathroom. In fact, 7 million Americans have diabetes but do not know they have it. Early detection helps many patients with diabetes to enjoy a long and productive life.
How to test: Go to your nearest medical laboratory (no need for fasting)
When to screen: Start at age 45 (earlier if family history), then every year
Your target: Between 60 – 100 mg/dL
There you have it, five simple tests to keep your body fit and well. There are of course still other tests which can be done and should be done, these are however some of the most basic and easily tested. Should you be unfamiliar of any reputable laboratories near your location, you can try Britannia Medical Center laboratory, where we offer all the blood tests that you need, from basic blood tests to advanced early cancer detection (the latest way of detecting the cancer markers in the blood thereby catching cancers even before they get worse).
