Hello and welcome! Today, I’m diving into a topic that’s close to my own heart (and health records)—preventative healthcare using health check blood tests. This is the first in a series where we’ll explore specific tests in more detail, but today I want to give you a broad overview of what these tests cover, how they can benefit us, and, yes, what happened when I ran my own bloods recently.
The Basics of a Health Check Blood Test
Most health check blood tests cover a variety of metrics designed to give a comprehensive view of how well your body is functioning. They’re quick, relatively simple, and can reveal a lot about what’s happening under the surface, often even before symptoms appear. Here are some of the most common markers that may be included in these tests:
- Full Blood Count (FBC) –essential for spotting signs of anaemia, infection, inflammation, and even certain cancers.
- Kidney Function Tests – these tests check how well the kidneys are filtering waste and indicate how well these key organs are functioning.
- Liver Function Tests (LFT) – These measure enzymes and proteins that can help flag up liver disease, the effects of alcohol, or side effects from medications.
- HbA1c – This test measures blood sugar levels over a few months and helps detect diabetes or pre-diabetes.
- Thyroid Function Tests (TFTs) – These assess the balance of thyroid hormones, which regulate metabolism; imbalances can lead to symptoms like fatigue, weight changes, and mood swings.
- Vitamin D – Known as the “sunshine vitamin,” Vitamin D is vital for bone health, immunity, and even mood.
- Lipid Profile – This measures cholesterol and triglycerides, key markers that can increase the risk of heart disease, stroke, and other vascular issues.
- Bone Health Tests – These markers look for strong, healthy bones and help identify risks of conditions like osteoporosis, guide treatment with supplements or lifestyle changes, and monitor bone health over time.
My Own Health Check
After running my own blood tests recently, I found a few things that were in good shape and a few that surprised me and needed attention:
- The Good Stuff: My Full Blood Count, Liver Function, HbA1c and PSA tests all came back within normal, healthy ranges.
- Room for Improvement: My Kidney function, Thyroid function, Vitamin D, and cholesterol levels, however, all came back abnormal to some degree. This triggered me to take a series actions to make adjustments to improve the overall picture and, I hope, provide longer-term health benefits.
In the coming series of blogs, I’ll share each of my test results in detail, look at what was normal and abnormal—to discuss what they all mean and the things we can all do to improve our long-term health and well-being.
Why Get a Health Check Blood Test?
Regular health check blood tests give us data that might not be otherwise available, offering insights that can help us make meaningful changes. Here are a few benefits:
- Early Detection: Spotting an issue before symptoms emerge can lead to more effective and less invasive treatment.
- Better Overall Health: Addressing areas like thyroid function or Vitamin D levels can improve energy levels, mood, and immune health.
- Prevention of Serious Conditions: Regular monitoring of glucose and cholesterol levels, for example, can significantly reduce the risk of conditions like diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
- Personal Health Tracking: It’s empowering to see your own numbers and, over time, track trends in your health.
In upcoming posts, I’ll dive deeper into each of these areas. I’ll look at what each test measures, why it matters, and what steps we can take if results are less than optimal. So whether you’re due for a check or just curious, stay tuned!
