Health Topics - General Health Topics
Tests Your Doctor Should Consider At Physical Exam Time
originally posted 12/27/04

Complete examination head to toe, including lymph nodes. This includes, head, ears, eyes, nose, throat, mouth, neck, thyroid, spine, back, kidney area, heart, lungs, abdomen, Blood pressure,pulse check, skin exam and joint exams if symptomatic.
Also: pelvic (for adult females) and testicular or prostate exam for males.
Digital rectal exams should begin at age 40.

Lab tests and screening typically recommended:
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
Blood sugar age 45 and every 3 years afterwards or earlier if high risk
Pap smear or Thin Prep for females who are sexually active or age 21 and older
Prostate exam for men 50 and over or earlier if family history of prostate cancer.
PSA test in conjunction with the digital rectal exam for prostate mentioned above
Testicular exam for men under 40, especially with a history of undescended testes at birth Mammogram for women 40 and over, or earlier if family history of breast cancer
Lipid panel (for cholesterol) at least once by age 21 and thereafter every 3 years or more often if abnormal.
Thyroid check for women 35+   and then every 3-5 years
Colonoscopy every 5-10 years beginning at age 50, earlier if family history of colon cancer, or other personal or familial risk factors.
Guiac stool testing on years between colonoscopy
Bone density testing for women 50 and over or if 6 years past menopause
Eye exams, including eye pressure every 1-2 years if 40 or over.
Dental visits every six months for cleaning
Tetanus shot every 10 years
Chest x-ray may be considered for those with a smoking history
Chlamydia test annually or sexually active females until the age of 25
BRCA 1 & 2 testing for women with 2 or more first degree relatives with a history of breast cancer (ie: mother and sister, or 2 sisters) or if father or brother had breast cancer.

Beneficial Testing That Is Not Usually Recommended
(Descriptions of each test are detailed in the Test Descriptions section of this site)

VAP PANEL for fractionation of lipids to heavy and light cholesterol particles                                       
Homocysteine
Highly sensitive (cardio) C-RP
Lipoprotien A
Fibrinogen
Insulin level
Preventive Gene testing for modifiable risk factors
CA-125 for ovarian cancer screen
Cardio-CT scan for coronary artery calcification score
Carotid artery screening by ultrasound
Ultrasound for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm
Ankle - Brachial Index for arterial disease which may flag heart disease risk as well

These tests are available at Dr. Chene's office and results taken to the physician of your choice.

 
©2004 Janet Chene M.D.
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The information on this web site is general information and is not intended to replace regularly scheduled visits to your personal physician for preventive care, appropriate health screening, diagnostic testing, and treatment of disease, illness, or injury.