Therefore, doctors recommend that every person, whether male or female, gets some important tests done at least once a year. Through these tests, any problem in the body can be detected in the initial stage itself. If detected on time, treatment becomes easier and costs less. The good thing is that these tests are not expensive, some can be done even for ₹ 100-200.
CBC (Complete Blood Count) – Complete blood test
CBC test is the most basic and important blood test. This measures the number of red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs) and platelets present in your blood. This test tells whether you are suffering from anemia or whether there is any infection or inflammation going on in the body. Men and women above 25 years of age should get this test done at least once a year. With this, many diseases can be detected early and the right treatment can be provided on time.
LFT (Liver Function Test) – Liver health test
LFT shows whether your liver is functioning properly or not. This test tells the level of enzymes and proteins produced by the liver. If there is inflammation, infection (such as hepatitis) or any fatty liver or liver disease in the liver, then its signal is found in LFT. Liver works in our body for digestion, metabolism and removal of toxic substances, hence it is very important to know its condition through this test.
KFT (Kidney Function Test) – Checking the condition of the kidneys.
KFT reveals how well our kidneys are filtering the blood. In this test the levels of things like creatinine, urea, uric acid are measured. If these levels are too high, it means that there is too much pressure on the kidneys or they are not working properly. Kidneys remove dirt and excess water from the body, so this test can provide early detection of kidney disease. People with high blood pressure or diabetes should get this test done regularly.
Thyroid Profile – Thyroid hormone test
Thyroid profile checks the balance of thyroid hormones (T3, T4, TSH) in the body. Thyroid hormone controls our weight, energy, mood, metabolism and heartbeat. If these become imbalanced, you may have problems like hair fall, fatigue, weight gain or loss, weakness, mood swings and rapid heartbeat. This problem is seen more in women, hence thyroid profile should be done once a year.
Lipid Profile – Heart and Cholesterol Checkup
This test is related to heart health. This reveals the levels of good (HDL) and bad (LDL) cholesterol, as well as triglycerides in the body. If LDL or triglycerides are high, fat starts accumulating in the arteries of the heart, increasing the risk of heart attack and stroke. This test should be done regularly for every person after the age of 30, especially if there is a family history of heart disease.
6-10. Cancer Marker Tests – Early Warning Signs
For men (above 40 years)
PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen): This test helps in detecting early stages of prostate cancer. If PSA levels are elevated, there may be a possibility of prostate inflammation or cancer. CA 19.9: This is a marker associated with pancreas cancer. If its level increases, the doctor recommends further investigation. CA 72.4: This marker indicates stomach cancer.
For women (above 40 years)
CA-125: This test helps in detecting ovarian cancer. If its level is found increased, the doctor may ask for further investigation. CA 15.3: This marker is associated with breast cancer and helps in early stage detection.
Common Cancer Marker – CEA (Carcinoembryonic Antigen)
This test is done to detect the presence of cancer in any part of the body or the possibility of its spread. Both men and women can get it done. Getting this test done at least once a year can prove to be life saving. If detected in the early stages, treatment is easy, effective and cheap. Keep in mind, this information is for general awareness, not a substitute for any medicine or treatment. In case of any health problem, contact your doctor immediately.
The purpose of all these tests is to understand the internal condition of our body, so that any disease can be caught at its initial stage. After the age of 25, these basic health checkups should be done once a year. After 40 years, cancer and hormone related tests also become necessary.