Your Annual Health Check—The Tests, Visits, and Labs You Shouldn’t Skip

Last week, after writing the article on holistic pain relief for arthritis, I realized something that I decided would be the opener to next week’s blog post. We get almost no preparation time to be a child.

One minute you’re in the uterus, and the next, you’re thrown into a world that makes no sense. The same can be said for your teenage years. You’ve barely gotten the hang of childhood when, boom, puberty hits, along with all the complex challenges of being in high school, falling in and out of love, getting admission into the right university, that whole spiel.

Your twenties feel torrential on account of nascent careers, settling down, furthering your education, whatever else it is. By your thirties, you start to get the hang of things, and if you play your cards right, you start to figure things out thanks to the gradual increase of prep time.

And on that note, I should state that your senior ages are the ones that you get the most prep time for. You get forty, fifty years to prepare yourself for the golden years of your life. Your senior years can be the great reward after decades of hard work and hustle, but in order to do that, we need to ensure that your body and mind are healthy.

The easiest, no-nonsense way to go about doing that is your annual health check. Your annual health check will help you take charge of your health like a pro. And I can understand that it can get a little jarring, this whole healthcare maze with its many tests and checkups. So, I’ve compiled a thorough guide that you can use as your checklist for all tests and screenings.

Your Annual Checkup—The Non-Negotiable Tests

Your first line of defense, your go-to doctor, must be your primary care physician (PCP, not to be confused with the street drug with the same acronym). During an annual visit, they will do the following general tests:

• Blood pressure check. High blood pressure can wreck your kidneys, heart, and brain. And since it’s such a silent culprit, most of us can’t feel it creeping up on us. A blood pressure check will let you know if your levels are good, or need to be controlled.
• Heart and Oxygen levels. Oxygen saturation and pulse readings can give clues about how well your heart and lungs are doing.
• Weight and BMI. While BMI isn’t the be-all-end-all, tracking your weight changes can alert you towards any underlying issues like metabolic disorders.
• Skin check. Your doctor will give your skin a once-over for any moles or suspicious growths, especially if you’ve got a history of sun exposure.

A little sidenote—many of us get the dreaded white coat effect when we step into a hospital or a clinic. I suggest bringing a loved one along to help with the anxiety. If you’re too worried that your anxiety will mess with the blood pressure check, you can take your blood pressure readings at home and share them with your physician.

The Bloodwork

Lab tests are an inside scoop on what’s going on under the hood. Don’t just assume that your doctor’s going to ask for the full panel of tests. Sometimes, you have to ask for them. Here’s what should be on your list:

• Complete Blood Count (CBC). Check for infections, anemia, and general health markers.
• Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP). This panel helps us look at kidney function, liver enzymes, and electrolytes.
• Lipid Panel. This test measures cholesterol and triglycerides, both of which are key for heart health.
• AIC Test (even if you don’t have diabetes). This gives you insight into long-term blood sugar levels so that you can catch prediabetes before it becomes full-blown diabetes.
• Vitamin D and B12 Tests. Deficiency in either of these can cause weakness, fatigue, and cognitive decline.
• Thyroid panel. This checks for underactive and overactive thyroid, which messes with metabolism, mood, and energy.
• Inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR). These tests flag hidden inflammation, which is also linked to heart health, autoimmune disorders, and chronic pain conditions.

Specialized Screenings by Age Group

Naturally, the body changes as we grow older, and our health checkups evolve with our growing body. Here’s a list of specialized screenings based on your age bracket.

In Your 30s and 40s:

• Cholesterol Check (Every 4-6 Years, More if High Risk)
• Pap Smear (Every 3-5 Years for Women)
• Testicular and Prostate Exam (Men)
• Breast Exam (Self-check Monthly, Clinical Exam Every Year)
• Eye Exam (Every 2 Years, More Often if Vision Issues)
• Dental Checkup (Every 6 Months)

In Your 50s:

• Colonoscopy (Start at 45, Every 10 Years if Normal)
• Mammogram (Every 1-2 Years for Women)
• PSA Test (Prostate Cancer Screening for Men)
• Bone Density Scan (Especially for Women Post-Menopause)
• Hearing Test (Hearing Loss Starts Sooner Than You Think)

60s and Beyond:

• Annual Cognitive Screening (Early Detection of Dementia and Alzheimer’s)
• Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening (For Men Who Have Ever Smoked)
• Fall Risk Assessment (Weakness or Balance Issues Can Be Deadly)
• Annual Vaccinations (Flu, Pneumonia, Shingles, and Tdap Booster)

Navigating the Healthcare System

I can tell you this. The healthcare system isn’t exactly user-friendly. To ensure that you get the most out of it, you need:

• To be your own advocate. Don’t assume that the doctor will remember everything; instead, come prepared with a list of tests that you want done.
• To know what’s covered. Check with your insurance to see what screenings are covered by your plan, as many preventive tests are free.
• Use online portals. Many doctors have patient portals where you can track lab results, request refills, and schedule appointments.
• To get second opinions. If something doesn’t feel right, chances are it might not be. Don’t hesitate to get another doctor’s input. Medicine is as much an art as it is a science.
• Plan your visits strategically. Schedule checkups around your birthday so that it is easier to remember.

With annual checkups, the right tests, and paying attention to your body, you gain control over your well-being. With the right approach, you’ll be thriving for decades to come!