Take charge of your health by getting a set of labs annually to see an overall picture of your health.
Medical providers use a specific set of lab tests to provide a picture of your overall health. These tests are designed to evaluate your overall health and identify potential health issues early on, before they become more serious or difficult to treat.
The tests typically include a Complete Blood Count (CBC), Complete Metabolic Panel (CMP), lipid panel, HgA1C, and thyroid level.
These tests cover a wide range of health markers, including blood sugar levels, cholesterol, kidney function, liver function, and thyroid function, among others. By measuring these different markers, doctors can identify potential health issues and recommend appropriate treatments or lifestyle changes.
As a general guideline, most adults should have a comprehensive health screening once a year. However, the frequency of lab tests may vary based on individual health needs.
In addition to annual checkups, consult your medical provider if you experience any new or persistent symptoms, have a change in your health status, or have a family history of certain health conditions. For example, if you have a family history of diabetes, your healthcare provider may recommend testing your blood glucose levels more frequently than if you did not have this family medical history.
Your healthcare provider may also recommend additional lab tests based on your age, gender, personal health history, and risk factors for certain health conditions.
For example, women over 50 need to have regular mammograms to screen for breast cancer, and men over 50 need to have regular prostate exams to screen for prostate cancer.
By getting an overall check of your health every year, you’re taking a proactive approach to your wellbeing and setting yourself up for a healthy future.
Labs That Give an Overall Picture of Your Health
- CBC – Complete Blood Count
- CMP – Complete Metabolic Panel
- Lipids – Total Cholesterol, HDL, LDL, Triglycerides and Cholesterol Ratios
- Hg A1c – The average of your blood sugar over the last 2-3 months
- TSH – Thyroid Stimulating Hormone
