What tests should one get done annually/regularly after the age of 50 years? For example blood test for hemoglobin, blood sugar and kidney function, ECG, chest X-ray, PAP smear for women, bone density test, etc. Are all these really needed? Thanks for your insight.
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1I am not saying these tests should be done. I have just given examples. I am asking which tests should be done on a regular basis after the age of 50 years. Or there is no need for an annual/regular checkup after this or any other age? Many organizations have a policy of annual checkups/testing of their employees.– rncardioOct 11, 2015 at 11:30
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1Have you thoroughly searched for an answer before asking your question? Sharing your research helps everyone. Tell us what you found and why it didn’t meet your needs. health.stackexchange.com/help/how-to-ask– freethinker36Oct 11, 2015 at 23:23
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I think this question - containing a down-voted answer - is too broad, actually. Probably much better to just pick an organ system and leave it at that.– anongoodnurseOct 14, 2015 at 4:34
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I have updated answer, i had some information wrong.– freethinker36Oct 14, 2015 at 5:04
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1I will update my question and post an answer.– rncardioOct 15, 2015 at 2:58
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2 Answers
Today's issue of New England Journal of Medicine (15th October, 2015) discusses the pros and cons of having annual screening:
Improving Value in Health Care — Against the Annual Physical
Toward Trusting Therapeutic Relationships — In Favor of the Annual Physical
Hence, there are 2 approaches:
There is no need for annual checkup, though healthy practices should be followed and early symptoms should not be ignored.
Majority of patients and physicians feel annual checkups should be there and one third of adults in USA get them done. Following simple tests can be done on an annual basis:
Annual consultation with general practitioner for history taking (asking for any symptoms or problems) and physical examination- will include blood pressure as well as checkup for skin, eye & hearing problems.
Blood tests: Hemogram (hemoglobin, total & differential white count, platelet count), sugar, kidney function (urea, creatinine, sodium, potassium), liver function (bilirubin, SGOT, SGPT, alkaline phosphatase), TSH (thyroid function), lipid profile (total, LDL and HDL cholesterol, triglyceride), vitamin D. All these tests together need only 10 ml of blood and can be done in a day on newer machines; it may be called "single syringe blood screen"! (even though vacutainers have replaced syringes for blood sampling at most places)
Urine examination: albumin, sugar & microscopic examination
- ECG
- Chest X-ray every 5 years
- for women: PAP smear, mammography
Other tests to be considered:
- colonoscopy
- bone density
- prostate specific antigen is not recommended; fecal occult blood is generally indicated if any anemia is found; I am not sure what test is done for bladder cancer screening apart from urine examination mentioned above.
According to the websites bellow, it´s a good idea to do the following tests annually at age 50 and beyond (beware of false positives, which "could trigger a cascade of even more tests, only to discover in the end that you had nothing wrong with you"):
- Blood pressure if your blood pressure is borderline high.
- Skin cancer screening ("It’s important to check your own skin, preferably once a month")
- Eye exam and vision screening (every 2 years until age 60 and then yearly after that)
- Vitamin D test
- Fecal occult blood test (FOBT)
- Thyroid test
- Prostate cancer screening ("Screening should be done yearly for men whose PSA level is 2.5 ng/mL or higher, the decision should be made after getting information about the uncertainties, risks, and potential benefits of prostate cancer screening but men without symptoms of prostate cancer who do not have a 10-year life expectancy should not be offered testing" according to the American Cancer Association; but the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force "recommends against PSA-based screening")
- Testicular exam (The American Cancer Society recommends a testicular exam as part of a routine cancer-related checkup)
- For women only: Pelvic exam
- For women only: Breast exam and mammogram
If you have certain peculiarities or high risks other tests should be perform annually as well.
Information was gathered from the following websites:
http://www.webmd.com/healthy-aging/guide/milestone-medical-tests-50
https://www.caring.com/articles/medical-tests-men-should-have
http://www.webmd.com/osteoporosis/guide/who-needs-bone-density-testing
http://www.cancer.org/healthy/toolsandcalculators/remind-me?_ga=1.240642179.1226571050.1444671502
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It will help if you can mention if these should be done annually / 5 yearly etc?– rncardioOct 12, 2015 at 1:13
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3I think much of this answer is wrong, but will only refute one aspect to start: prostate cancer screening is not recommended every year even by the American Cancer Society. It's important to choose your sources carefully. Oct 12, 2015 at 4:01
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After my last pap smear came back normal, my doctor told me I wouldn't need another one for three years. Is she giving me bad advice? (In other words, there's a pattern here.) Oct 12, 2015 at 22:37
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2Can you elaborate on the tests and why they might be needed? Or are you merely parroting something you found on a website with no rationale behind it?– JohnPOct 13, 2015 at 2:38
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"...humans are not perfect, keeping up to date of myriad of conditions might be difficult, the medical science keeps evolving" (etc.) are not valid reasons with which to defend an erroneous answer. The problems with this answer don't lie with confused or reluctant medical professionals or the peculiarities of their patients. The problem is that either bad sources were quoted, or good ones misquoted. That will be a problem on this site. Oct 14, 2015 at 3:56