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Don’t Forget These Medical Tests While You Turn 50

Introduction

Your 50’s should be the prime of your life. Most people imagine a comfortable family life with fewer worries than in your younger days. But poor health can rob you of this peaceful future. Luckily, with advances in medicine, there is plenty you can do to keep good health.

A trend we see is people visiting the doctor only when something goes wrong. While this type of curative medicine is common, preventive health is fast becoming an integral part of medicine. After all, having an increased lifespan is only enjoyable if you have a longer health span too!

Mammograms and Pap smears in females and prostate examinations apart from the routine heart, kidney and liver function tests are highly recommended in elderly and geriatric people to prevent and probably diagnose diseases at an early stage.

Dr. Ashish Bajaj, M.B.B.S., M.D

What is Preventative Health Care?

Preventative medical tests help to catch early warning signs of potential issues before any symptoms show up. There are a variety of screening tests that are recommended based on age milestones. When you are 50, your risk of developing long term serious medical issues rises. 

Eating healthy, avoiding poor lifestyle choices (like smoking) and getting regular exercise are all part of preventive health care. But some medical conditions (for example, cancer) can affect even the most healthy person. Before you ask what medical tests do I need at 50? Let us first answer the question – how do these screening tests help you?

Not only blood tests, one should visit a doctor for a physical examination, eye exam, dental check-ups, echo, TMT etc. after 50.

Dr. Arpit Verma, MBBS, MD (Pharmacology)

How Do Medical Tests Benefit Your Health

By having regular checkups and tests during your 50s, you and your doctor can monitor your health. There are several key markers that can indicate what’s going on inside your body. In case your doctor notices some measurement in your blood is out of the normal range, they can inform you. This early warning allows you to start treatment early and avoid further damage to your body.

What Medical Tests Should I Get At 50?

If you are in your 50s, these will be what the doctor prescribes when you ask them what medical tests do I need at 50? Let’s dive in:

1. Heart Health Tests

The Cardiac Risk markers test acts as a holistic suite of tests to measure your risk of developing cardiac issues. These also include testing for high blood pressure, high cholesterol and even examining your family history.

Along with that, there is the Lipid Profile Test to measure your triglycerides and cholesterol. This is helpful not only for trying to ascertain heart problems but also pancreatitis and other issues.

Meeting with your cardiologist once a year is also recommended, especially if you are at risk for developing cardiovascular problems. Your cardiologist may perform only a physical exam or and ask about your health. But they may also prescribe:

Lastly, your doctor may also ask you to check your blood pressure regularly at home.

I routinely advise Hba1c, Liver and kidney function tests, lipid profile, Prostate specific antigen for males, Pap smear for females, ECG, ECHO, TMT for all my patients above 50 yearly.

Dr. M.G. Kartheeka, MBBS, MD

2. Diabetes Tests

Your doctor may ask you to get these tests done several times a year if you have a high risk of diabetes. For those with a confirmed diabetes diagnosis, you may need to do an at-home blood glucose test more frequently.

Another important diabetes and prediabetes test is the HbA1c test, which measures the amount of haemoglobin in your blood that is attached to glucose. Since there has been an increase in diabetes cases in northern and western parts of India, this important test can help to detect and confirm diabetes.

3. Cancer Screening

Cancer treatment has come a long way and early screening is an important part of that. For men, it is recommended to take the PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen test). This test helps to monitor for prostate cancer, depending on your level of PSA, you may be asked to get this test once every 2 – 4 years or less.

For women, there are several cancer screening tests. Mammography is a test to detect any abnormalities in the breasts, which could indicate breast cancer. A Pap smear test takes minute samples from the cervix for observation to detect cancerous or precancerous cells. It helps to preemptively detect cervical cancer. Another cancer test for women is the CA 125 (Cancer Antigen 125) test, which can be used as a screening for ovarian cancer. It should be noted that high levels of CA 125 do not always mean cancer is present.

One other common cancer screening test, regardless of gender, is the CA 19.9 test (Cancer Antigen 19.9). It is used to detect antigens from pancreatic cancer but it may also indicate cirrhosis or other non-cancer issues. 

Other Common Tests for Your 50s

Also Read: Is Lemon Good for Hair? Exploring Research-Based Facts and Myths

Conclusion

Even if you do not show any serious symptoms, things can still be going wrong inside. The older we get, the more our body’s natural repair and metabolism rate decreases. Slower metabolism also means that as you age, it becomes easier to put on weight. As you can see, it becomes more important as you hit 50 to make preventive tests part of your healthcare routine. With the right tests at the right time, you can avoid serious (and expensive) long term medical issues.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

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Read About The Health Tests People In Their 40s Should Book

The key to good health is caution and awareness. You can avert many lifestyle disorders if you are careful with how you live your life. A well-planned diet that provides our body with all the right nutrition, a little bit of exercise regularly and preventive health checkups go a long way in keeping us fit, healthy and happy.

Once you turn 40, it is time you get serious about your health. Your body has undergone a lot of stress in these 40 years of your life and the effects of tireless exertions, unhealthy eating and anxiety begin to show. This is when people begin to notice the onset of several health disorders which may escalate unless the right action is taken. 

So, what is to be done? Simple, you just need to undergo a few basic healthcare tests. These tests will reveal if there is anything wrong with your health. Based on the results, you can tweak your lifestyle or start taking prescribed medication to nip the illness in the bud or manage it successfully.

Without further ado, let us take a look at some tests that everyone in their 40s (or even people who are older) needs to undergo at regular intervals.

What tests should be done at age 40? Here’s a comprehensive list:

Name of the testPurpose of the test
Cardiac Markers TestThis test assesses the risk of cardiac disorders. When your heart is in distress, certain substances called biomarkers are released into the bloodstream. This test measures the biomarkers to predict or diagnose underlying heart disease. Schedule a checkup with a cardiologist once a year. You may also have to undergo ECG, cardiac stress test or 2D echo along with the cardiac biomarkers test to see how well your heart is functioning.
Lipid ProfileOften recommended with cardiac markers test, the lipid profile or panel measures the volume of fat molecules or lipids in your blood. This test will give you the total amount of cholesterol, good cholesterol (HDL), bad cholesterol (LDL) and triglycerides in your blood. Fat molecules can clog your arteries, triggering hypertension and eventually heart attack or cardiac arrest. 
Thyroid Test Internationally, doctors are recommending thyroid tests to people over the age of 35, even if they do not exhibit symptoms of overactive or underactive thyroid. Moreover, women are 10 times more likely to develop thyroid problems, so they must mandatorily undergo the TSH blood test once a year. Untreated thyroid disorders can affect your entire metabolism and mental health. It can cause obesity, dementia, arthritis and even heart disorders.
Renal Function Test (RFT/KFT)A kidney function test assesses the state of your renal health by measuring a number of substances such as proteins, glucose, creatinine, electrolyte and minerals. This test is especially necessary if you have already been diagnosed with hypertension or if your cholesterol levels are high.
CBCA Complete Blood Count test will give your doctor a comprehensive look into the state of your health. This test measures your WBC, RBC, mean corpuscular volume, mean corpuscular haemoglobin, haematocrit, platelets etc. This routine test gives an idea of your blood picture and may signal an infection or conditions like anemia.
Diabetes Test (postprandial and fasting) and HbA1cSince our current lifestyle makes us vulnerable to diabetes. It is imperative to get the blood sugar test done. For a comprehensive analysis of your glucose levels and how your body responds to insulin, you should book both the fasting and postprandial tests. The HbA1c test can measure your glucose level attached to the haemoglobin (called glycated haemoglobin). It can predict diabetes or detect prediabetes. This is especially recommended for people in southern and western India.
Vitamin B12 TestAs the name suggests, this test will reveal your level of Vitamin B12. Vegetarians and women should definitely get this test done once they enter their 40s because vitamin B12 deficiency is linked to anaemia and since this vitamin is mostly found in animal-based foods, vegetarians are likely to have low levels of vitamin B12. Deficiency of this vitamin can lead to problems of the nervous system, memory loss and weakening of bones.
Urine TestA routine urine test can detect anomalies in the functions of the liver or kidney. It can also diagnose urinary tract infection or any metabolic problem. 
Pap SmearThis test analyzes the cells of your cervix for signs of cancer. Women in their 40s are recommended to undergo this test. This test should be done once every 3-5 years. 
Eye and Dental CheckEven if you have been avoiding yearly eye and bi-annual oral check-ups all these years, it’s time to get serious about these tests. Work from home, increased screen time and unhealthy posture has led to increased risk of short-sightedness and farsightedness. Also cataract, glaucoma, retinopathy are some eye conditions, if diagnosed early can be managed well. Similarly, your oral health needs attention too. You need to have healthy gums and teeth to relish the nutritious food you love and untreated dental infections can bring serious health complications later on.

These preventive healthcare tests are crucial. Do not ignore them just because you are not yet showing any signs of an illness. Eat healthy meals, take nutritional supplements, work out regularly and ask your doctor which tests you need to opt for. The care you take today is an investment for the future.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational/awareness purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for medical treatment by a healthcare professional and should not be relied upon to diagnose or treat any medical condition. The reader should consult a registered medical practitioner to determine the appropriateness of the information and before consuming any medication. PharmEasy does not provide any guarantee or warranty (express or implied) regarding the accuracy, adequacy, completeness, legality, reliability or usefulness of the information; and disclaims any liability arising thereof.

Links and product recommendations in the information provided here are advertisements of third-party products available on the website. PharmEasy does not make any representation on the accuracy or suitability of such products/services. Advertisements do not influence the editorial decisions or content. The information in this blog is subject to change without notice. The authors and administrators reserve the right to modify, add, or remove content without notification. It is your responsibility to review this disclaimer regularly for any changes.

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