By Amina Afzal
Reviewed By Dr. Huma Ameer
By Amina Afzal
Reviewed By Dr. Huma Ameer
An annual health check-up consists of a group of common lab tests to check your health status. The check-up makes it possible to detect and treat any disease at an early stage, such as diabetes, hypertension, anemia, and certain types of cancers.
Annual checkup tests are recommended for people of all ages to ensure you are in good health and aid the timely diagnosis of any serious health concerns.
Table of Contents
The following are the essential health checkup tests you can get annually to stay updated on your health:
CBC is one of the most common blood tests, which measures different components in the blood like red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), platelets, etc.
It provides a good assessment of your overall health while also helping diagnose certain health conditions such as anemia.
CBC Components | Meaning | Normal Range | Interpretation |
RBC | Red blood cells | 3.8 – 4.80 mil/μL | Low→ anemia |
WBC | White blood cells | 4000 – 1000/μL | High or low → immune issue |
Hemoglobin | A protein that carries oxygen to function | 13.8 – 17.2 for men12.1 – 15.1 for women | Low → anemia, fatigue |
Platelets | Aid in blood clotting | 150,000 – 450,000/ μL | Low → bleeding risk (commonly seen in dengue) High → risk of abnormal clotting |
Hematocrit | Percentage of red blood cells | 36.1%- 44.3% | Low→ dehydration High→ blood clotting |
The Lipid Profile Test (LPT) is a type of blood test that serves the purpose of measuring the levels of lipids (fats) in your bloodstream.
It plays a critical role in assessing your heart health and determining the risk of cardiovascular diseases, including heart attacks, strokes, and blocked arteries.
Here is a brief overview of the lipid profile test components:
LPT Components | Normal Range | Interpretation |
LDL (bad cholesterol) | Less than 100mg/dL | High→ risk of heart attack |
HDL (good cholesterol) | 40-60 mg/dL | High → helpful to cope with heart conditions |
Total Cholesterol | Less than 200 mg/dL | High → risk of cardiovascular diseases |
Triglycerides | Less than 150 mg/dL | High → risk of heart disease |
The Liver Function Test (LFT) is a blood test used to assess how well your liver is working. It helps detect signs of inflammation, infection, damage, or liver disease.
The test measures the levels of proteins, enzymes, and other substances produced by the liver. It can help identify potential issues early and prevent long-term complications.
The brief overview of LFT is given below:
LFT Components | Normal Range | Interpretation |
AST- Aspartate Aminotransferase | 10-40 U/L | Low→ liver disease High→ liver damage |
ALT- Alanine Aminotransferase | 7-56 U/L | High → liver damage |
ALP- Alkaline Phosphatase | 44-147 U/L | Low → malnutrition High→ liver or bile duct issue |
Total Bilirubin | 0.1- 1.2 mg/dL | High→ jaundice |
Albumin | 3.5- 5.0 g/dL | Low → liver disease or malnutrition |
Total protein | 6.3- 7.9 g/dL | Low → malnutrition |
RFT (Renal Function Test) is a combination of blood and urine tests that assess kidney function.
They consist of various blood and urine tests to evaluate how well your kidneys are working.
The brief overview of RFT and its components is as follows:
RFT Components | Normal Range | Interpretation |
Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) | 7-9 mg/dL | High → kidney dysfunction or dehydration |
Serum creatinine | 0.7-1.3 mg/dL for men 0.6-1.1 mg/dL for women | High → decreased kidney function |
Urine albumin | Less than 30 mg/g creatinine | High → kidney damage |
Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate (eGFR) | 90–120 mL/min/1.73 m² | Below 60 → decreased kidney function |
The blood sugar test, also known as Blood Sugar Random or BSR test is a blood test used to check the amount of glucose in the blood.
It is commonly used to diagnose Type 1, Type 2, and gestational diabetes.
This test aids in the diagnosis and follow-up of blood sugar-related conditions, diabetes, and prediabetes.
Here is the overview of the blood sugar test:
BSR Components | Normal Range | Interpretation |
HbA1c | Below 5.7% | 5.7%-6.4% → prediabetes Higher than 6.5% → diabetes |
Fasting blood glucose | 70-99 mg/dL | 100-125 mg/dL→ prediabetes 126+ mg/dL → diabetes |
Random blood glucose | Less than 140mg/dL | 140-199 mg/dL → prediabetes 200 mg/dL→ diabetes |
Postprandial | Less than 140mg/dL | 200+ → diabetes |
The ESR Blood Test is used to measure the level of inflammation in the body and diagnose any potential inflammatory conditions.
The test checks how quickly red blood cells settle to the bottom of a tube.
A high ESR indicates red blood cells are settling faster due to inflammation while a normal ESR, which is around 0 to 15 mm/hr for males and 0 to 20 mm/hr for females, indicates that there’s no inflammation present and red blood cells are settling normally.
A Vitamin D test is a blood test that measures the level of Vitamin D in a person’s blood.
It helps diagnose conditions such as rickets, osteoporosis, parathyroid disorders, and kidney or liver disease.
The following is an overview of the normal and insufficient levels of vitamin D.
Level (ng/mL) | Intensity | Interpretation |
30-40 ng/mL | Normal | Adequate vitamin D level |
12-20 ng/mL | Low | Risk of osteoporosis, fatigue |
100 ng/mL | High | Indicator of possible vitamin D toxicity or kidney damage |
A calcium test measures the amount of calcium in your blood.
There are two main kinds of calcium tests, the total calcium test and the ionized calcium test.
The normal range for them is as follows:
High calcium levels above the normal value indicate the occurrence of constipation, fatigue, or bone pain.
Lower levels of calcium indicate kidney or liver disease, malnutrition, or parathyroid disease.
The purpose of annual health examinations is to identify and prevent diseases.
Blood tests, vitamin levels, and organ function testing are all part of yearly screenings that help identify issues early, before the occurrence of symptoms.
Through regular health you can get a good idea about your general health, while ensuring early detection of any health issues.
Therefore, it is recommended to set aside some time each year to get an overall health assessment. Refer to your general physician to know more about what types of tests you need to get in addition to the ones listed above.
While basic yearly exams can begin in your twenties, more comprehensive testing (such as those for blood sugar, cholesterol, and organ function) becomes essential by the time you are 30 to 40 years old.
A diagnostic lab or clinic can perform most annual tests (blood tests, urine tests, etc.) in a single visit. Your doctor might prescribe more tests depending on your medical history or risk factors.
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