14/03/2020
A health check-up is generally useful and can be taken at any age group, just more frequently as you grow older. Below 25 years of age - people generally go for check-ups when they fall sick or feel symptoms of a sickness. 25-50 years - people in this age group are generally recommended once every year or once every 2 years. Above 50 years of age - in this age group people are advised to take a routine health checkup at least once a year and if seeing visible symptoms of certain health risks, then twice a year or as advised by your physician.
But it is hard to define "COMPLETE HEALTH CHECK-UP" as health is a very complex entity. Biologically, "complete-health" is defined as a combination of physical and psychological wellness and these two states depend on various factors like environment we live in, people we are surrounded with, emotional and psychological experiences we have etc. So practically it may not be possible to guage someone's "complete" health as human body is very complex and to scan every health related parameter may not be possible in a short time, it could take months if not years.
However a bunch of common tests and procedures will help you assess certain health risk you may be exposed to. This may also vary depending on your ethnicity, region you live in, your lifestyle among other thing.
Some common blood tests/profiles you could take (in India):
Heart Risk Marker: Hs-CRP
Lipid Profile
Liver Function Test
Kidney Function Test
Thyroid Profile
Urine (R/M) Analysis
Diabetes Profile
Complete Hemogram with ESR and Peripheral Smear
Bone Panel or Arthritis Screening (Rheumatoid Factor, Phosphorus, Calcium, Alkaline Phosphate)
Iron Deficiency Panel or Anemia screening
Some optional tests: Hepatitis Panel, STDs like Herpes & Syphilis,
You could get more or fewer tests based on common diseases or health-risks in your region.
Common physical examination procedures for a routine health checkup (in India):
TMT (Teadmill Test), ECG (ElectroCardioGraphy) for heart's health
Prostate Cancer Screening (for Males above 50 years of age)
Breast Cancer Screening, Cervical Cancer Screening (for Females above 40 years of age)
Ultrasound (USG - UltraSonoGraphy) of whole abdomen
Chest X-ray
Pulmonary Function Test
Eye Checkup
Dental Checkup (advised to take twice a year for all age groups)
After these tests, please be sure to consult your physician. They will guide you to the right health pathway to follow after the tests.
Hope this helps :)
