A whole-body examination is not a simple health screening; it is a more engaged way of assessing one’s health.
The purpose of regularly conducting necessary health examinations is to identify risk factors & complications, control certain health statuses, and plan one’s health care properly.
In this post, we will discuss the eight basic tests that are done in a full body checkup, specifically kidney function tests, and why they are important in preventive medicine.
Understanding Full body checkup
A complete health examination refers to a battery of tests and assessments performed in a bid to evaluate your health status. Such a check-up is done with, but is not limited to, the following: an assessment of cardiovascular health, metabolic health, and other related services.
For example, a kidney profile is considered a basic examination for every patient as it assists in recognizing the problems with the kidneys that are seldom complained of as there may not be symptoms at that particular time. Therefore, in the context of a full body examination, such assessments help to explain one’s health status in a more preventive manner, addressing the risks of ill health.
Top 8 Tests in a Full body checkup
In order to keep track of everything needed for their health, here are eight vital tests during a full body checkup that one should never forget. Each test plays a distinct role in assessing different body functions and, supplemented together, gives an overall picture of health.
- Complete Blood Count (CBC)
A Full Blood Count is a must-have test in any full-body check-up. It studies red and white blood cells along with hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets for the studies of anemia, infections, and so forth. For instance, a decline in the normal range levels of red blood cells indicates that a patient has anemia. Such patients are predisposed to develop low-grade infections and, as such, can have an elevated leukocyte count. Above all, understanding this test is vital in understanding how the body fights disease and how healthy one’s blood is.
- Blood Sugar Test
Keeping track of blood sugar levels is an important aspect of diagnosing diabetes or the intermediate stage of prediabetes. The blood sugar test is a test that determines the amount of glucose present in the blood, and the increase in the sugar level is usually indicative of developing diabetes. This is quite meaningful, especially for people with a family history of diabetes and other lifestyle-related risks. Furthermore, if uncontrolled, abnormally low or high blood sugar levels can cause serious health complications such as heart disease and even peripheral neuropathy.
- Lipid Profile
A lipid profile is a series of blood tests used to determine the amount of both good (HDL) and bad (LDL) cholesterol, as well as triglycerides. Increased quantity of LDL cholesterol has been associated with higher chances of contracting strokes and heart diseases, while low quantities of HDL cholesterol may signify a possible adverse risk to the health of the heart. Therefore, periodic lipid profile assessment tests are highly advisable for patients in order to evaluate their heart health in relation to their diet and lifestyle patterns.
- Liver Function Test (LFT)
In this test, various enzymes, proteins, and compounds made by the liver and sent into the body are measured through levels of ALT, AST, Bilirubin, and Albumin. Increased levels of these laboratory tests could indicate inflammation or injury to the liver from viral infections, alcohol abuse, or some drugs. The reason is that the liver processes almost everything that one ingests: detoxifying the organism, breaking down body fats, and metabolizing food components. For that reason, the state of the liver affects the health of the entire organism.
Kidney function tests are essential for assessing the status of the kidneys. It usually involves testing blood urea nitrogen (BUN) levels and serum creatinine concentration, both of which are indicators of the waste management function of the kidneys. Because, in most cases, kidney ailments have no signs until very late, this screening is useful in preventing complications. Likewise, having conditions like hypertension, diabetes, or having a first-degree relative suffering from kidney disease makes it paramount to do regular kidney function tests.
- Thyroid Function Test
This test assesses thyroid health by measuring levels of thyroid hormones, including T3, T4, and TSH. The thyroid hormones influence the body’s metabolism and heart rate, among other activities. Hormonal levels that are too low or too high are signs of either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism, respectively. Without them, one’s levels of energy, weight, and even mood may be disturbed. A thyroid test as part of a full body check is very effective in making sure that one’s metabolism, as well as all the functions related to hormones, are working optimally.
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
A simple yet effective test, the ECG, is used to examine the heart’s rhythm and identify any abnormalities, such as arrhythmia and the presence of any old myocardial infarction. As health is wealth, the heart is particularly prioritized for high-risk individuals with a personal history of heart disease, hypertension, or high cholesterol levels. It is necessary to evaluate heart conditions in addition to an ECG so that heart-related complications can be avoided in the individual.
- Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 Test
These assessments evaluate concentrations of critical vitamins, which are frequently associated with bone maintenance, energy expenditure, and immunity. Vitamin D insufficiency tends to be prevalent within populations who lack exposure to the sun, and Vitamin B12 inadequacy, on the other hand, is capable of causing weakness and mental recall difficulties and, in the worst-case scenario, can lead to debilitating psychiatric disorders. Vitamin levels assessment in parameters during a full body checkup in groups of people allows for their quick replacement or modification of the diet in order to enhance power production and general well-being.
The Final Words
Full body checkups are having corrective actions to avert illnesses over an extended period of time. This is also because other relevant tests, like the KFT, lipid profile, and LFT tests, help you to know the status of your health and enable you to correct any wrongs before they escalate. In addition, regular health maintenance examinations encourage the health conscious to make wise decisions regarding their health and, hence, increase their quality of life. Focusing on these tests ensures that treatment is administered sooner rather than later, which emphasizes the need to undergo a thorough full-body check-up for each individual.
