It is never too late to take charge of your health by developing healthy habits and getting regular screening tests for common health problems. Screening tests include self-checks, clinical exams, non-laboratory tests (such as imaging tests), and laboratory tests. The focus here is on laboratory screening tests and other tests and conditions related to healthy aging. It’s easy to take these tests for granted, but their power to keep you healthier longer should not be underestimated.
General Screening Tests
Several major health organizations recommend routine health screenings for some conditions and diseases. Getting routine tests performed even though you have no symptoms can help detect problems early and help you benefit from easier and more effective treatment. It can sometimes even prevent disease. It’s easy to take these tests for granted, but their power to keep you healthier longer should not be underestimated. Talk to your health care practitioner about getting these recommended screenings.
Condition | Screening Test(s) |
---|---|
Diabetes | Glucose Tests, hemoglobin A1c |
Heart Disease Risk | Lipid Panel |
Obesity | Physical Exam and Body Mass Index |
High Blood Pressure | Blood pressure reading |
HIV | HIV test |
Sexually Transmitted Diseases | Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis |
Colon Cancer | Fecal occult blood test, Colonoscopy |
Hepatitis C | Hepatitis C test |
Two panels of tests are frequently used as general health screenings. These tests can screen for a number of health issues at the same time. Your health care practitioner may order these when you have a general health examination:
Blood Test Panels | Examples of Conditions Screened |
---|---|
Complete blood count (CBC) | Anemia, infection, iron deficiency, bleeding disorders |
Complete metabolic panel (CMP) | Liver disease, kidney disease, electrolyte and acid/base balance |
Conditions that can affect your health
As we age, the risk of developing certain conditions and diseases can increase. By understanding these conditions and being aware of how they may affect you, you can be proactive in staying healthy. You can be more informed when talking to your health care practitioners about your health concerns. Read about the following diseases and conditions to learn about their signs and symptoms, related tests as well as their prevention and treatment.
Examples of Conditions | Some Related Tests |
---|---|
Angina | Troponin |
Arthritis | Rheumatoid factor, Cyclic citrullinated peptide antibody (CCP), ESR, CRP |
Autoimmune diseases | ANA, anti-dsDNA, other autoantibodies |
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) | Cardiac risk assessment, lipid panel |
Gout | Uric acid, synovial fluid analysis |
Influenza (flu) | Influenza testing |
Kidney disease | Urine albumin (microalbumin), creatinine, BUN, cystatin C |
Osteoporosis | Dexa scan, Bone markers |
Pneumonia | Sputum culture, antibiotic susceptibility testing |
Sepsis | Procalcitonin, blood culture, urine culture |
Shingles | Physical examination (sometimes varicella zoster testing) |
Thyroid diseases | Thyroid panel, TSH, Free T4, T3 |
Healthy Aging Resources
Patient Resources
How to Read Your Lab Report
Wellness and Prevention in an Era of Patient Responsibility
Coping with Test Pain, Discomfort and Anxiety
Collecting Samples for Testing
Biotin Can Affect Some Blood Test Results
With Home Testing, Consumers Take Charge of their Health
Elsewhere on the Web
There’s a Vaccine for Shingles?! (CDC podcast)
Alzheimer’s Disease and Healthy Aging (CDC)
Flu Information for 65 and over (CDC)
Department of Health and Human Services: Healthy Aging
National Institute on Aging: Healthy Aging
MedlinePlus: Seniors’ Health
American Geriatrics Society: HealthinAging.org