You wake up one morning feeling a little off. You dismiss it as stress or exhaustion, but weeks go by, and the feeling lingers. One day, you finally decide to visit a doctor, only to discover that what you thought was nothing serious has progressed into a significant health issue. This scenario is more common than you think. Many health conditions, from diabetes to heart disease, develop silently without obvious symptoms. That is why regular health checkups are essential.

Important health check-ups to consider

To prevent any serious illnesses, it is recommended to undergo the following tests this year:

1. Kidney panel test

Your kidneys filter waste, balance fluids, and regulate essential minerals in your blood. If they don’t work properly, toxins can build up, leading to serious health issues.

The kidney panel test includes multiple components, each revealing crucial insights into kidney health:

• Creatinine: A waste from muscle metabolism; the ideal range is 0.7-1.3 mg/dl in men and 0.6-1.1 mg/dl in women.

• Blood urea nitrogen: It measures waste from protein breakdown. The perfect range is between 7 and 20 mg/dl.

• Glomerular filtration rate: It estimates how well kidneys filter blood. Gfr should be above 90 ml/min/1.73m².

2.               Lipid profile test

Lipid profiling is performed using your blood sample. It helps assess your heart health by measuring different fats in your blood. If you want to know whether you are at risk of heart disease, stroke, or other cardiovascular issues, this test can give you important insights.

The test measures four main components. These are:

• Total cholesterol: This must be below 200 mg/dl.
• Ldl cholesterol: Below 100 mg/dl is optimal; 100-129 mg/dl is acceptable for healthy individuals.
• Hdl cholesterol: Above 60 mg/dl is considered protective, while below 40 mg/dl (men) or 50 mg/dl (women) increases heart disease risk.
• Triglycerides: Below 150 mg/dl is normal

3. Bone health assessment

Your bones are the foundation of your body, providing strength, support, and protection. A bone health assessment detects osteoporosis, osteopenia, vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and bone metabolism issues. It can reveal low bone density that makes you prone to fractures.

The most common test to assess bone health is a bone mineral density (bmd) scan. Here are the key insights into the readings of this test:

• Normal: +1 to -1
• Osteopenia (low bone mass): -1 to -2.5
• Osteoporosis: below -2.5

 4. Cancer screening

Annual cancer screening tests detect issues early when they are most treatable. Here are some essential tests you should consider:

• Mammogram: If you are a woman over 40, this test detects breast cancer before symptoms appear. Ideally, your breast tissue should show no abnormal growths or lumps.
• Pap smear: Women between 21 and 65 should get a pap smear every three years to confirm symptoms of cervical cancer.
• Colonoscopy: A colonoscopy can detect colon cancer if you are 45 or older. A healthy colon shows no polyps or abnormal growths.
• PSA test: Men over 50 should check prostate-specific antigen levels, which should ideally be below 4 ng/ml to rule out prostate cancer risks.
• Lung cancer screening: If you smoke, a low-dose CT scan helps detect lung cancer early. Healthy lungs should show no nodules.
• Skin examination: A dermatologist can check for suspicious moles or skin changes. Healthy skin should have even pigmentation and no irregular lesions.

5. Thyroid test

The thyroid is a small gland in the neck that regulates metabolism, energy levels, and various body functions. An abnormal thyroid function can cause changes in weight, fatigue, mood fluctuations, and other health issues.

Here are the key components of the thyroid test and what they mean:

• TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone): the normal range for this component is 0.4 to 4.0 miu/l. Anything above the given range shows an underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism), while low TSH suggests an overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).

• T3 (triiodothyronine): this active thyroid hormone influences metabolism, heart rate, and digestion. A range between 80 to 200 ng/dl is considered normal.

• T4 (thyroxine): this is the primary hormone later converted into t3 for use by the body. A normal t4 range is between 5.0 to 12.0 µg/dl.

6. Liver panel test

A liver function test (LFT) checks how well your liver is working. Your liver helps in metabolism, digestion, detoxification, and protein synthesis. If you have been feeling fatigued, are experiencing jaundice, or have a history of liver issues, your doctor may recommend the LFT test.

Some of the key components of this test and their healthy ranges are:

• Alanine aminotransferase (ALT): An enzyme that helps process proteins. The healthy range is 7-55 u/l.
• Total bilirubin: A yellow pigment produced when red blood cells break down. High bilirubin levels over 1.2 mg/dl may lead to jaundice and signal potential liver or bile duct problems.

Conclusion

Health check-ups are not just about detecting diseases but also about preventing them. The earlier you spot a problem, the easier it is to treat. Also, it is advisable to purchase insurance coverage through a health insurance app and enjoy peace of mind, knowing you are financially prepared to handle any medical crisis.