By Yhordan Serpentini | February 8, 2023
We know it can be overwhelming to keep up with all the different types of tests and screenings, but understanding each of these tests can be essential for your preventative care. Today’s topic is general health tests, including what they are, what is measured during a conducted test, how to prepare for one, and the benefits of having a general health test, as well as its correlation and importance in preventive testing.
1. What Is A General Health Test?
General health tests are laboratory tests that measure your body’s overall physical well-being, providing doctors with valuable information about your medical history and current medical condition. Commonly, general health tests are conducted through a variety of ways, including blood tests, urinalysis, cholesterol screenings, stress tests, and other physical examinations, and are recommended to be conducted at least once a year.
2. What Is Measured During A General Health Test?
There are several things that are measured, during a general health test, in order to accurately evaluate the health of your body. Usually, general health tests measure the basics, like blood sugar, electrolytes, blood count, liver function, kidney function, hemoglobin, blood pressure, cholesterol, or calcium; however, the provided results can be used as screenings for health conditions.
That being said, since general health tests vary from the type of test you’re doing (like a urinalysis or blood test, for example), your primary health physician or healthcare provider may want a general health test conducted in a certain way to evaluate any areas of suspicion for specific health conditions. For example, a general health test through blood samples may be purposefully conducted for markers of diseases or health conditions like anemia, diabetes, cancer, or STDs/HIV.
3. How To Prepare For A General Health Test
One of the best ways to prepare for any type of test is to have basic knowledge about what you should expect before, during, and after the tests are conducted. As mentioned earlier, a general health test is a comprehensive assessment of your physical wellness and can be conducted in multiple ways like urinalysis or blood tests. If you are receiving a blood-related general health test, be aware of the side effects you will experience after, such as dizziness, fatigue, or minor pain from the injection sight.
Be aware of fasting, as it is one of the most essential steps in preparing for any type of test. Usually, you are expected to fast 6-12 hours prior to your test. Be aware of some of the potential risks, too. For example, some imaging tests may use radiation, so be sure to ask the medical personnel performing the tests about any potential risks and how to minimize them.
Lastly, when preparing for a general health test, it’s crucial to discuss any current medical concerns or conditions with your doctor, as well as any current medication(s) you are taking since this may potentially alter the accuracy of your test(s) and will give your doctor a chance to evaluate any potential health risks. Nothing will prepare you more than asking questions, so make sure to have all of your queries and concerns thoroughly answered.
4. Benefits of General Health Tests
Every test has its benefits for your preventative care; general health tests are no different. Outside of being able to detect any underlying health issues or diseases that could be asymptomatic or not obvious to the naked eye, it can also provide early warning signs of developing diseases–especially for those with a family history of certain medical conditions.
Moreover, there are physical benefits to general health tests, too, such as mental closure reassuring you of your healthiness, feeling confident and more secure about your health, and early treatment if any conditions were to be diagnosed early.
Need a fast and reliable general health test? Book your General Chemistry 13 appointment and get your sample collected for testing; track your reports online, and get notified when your reports are done, typically within 2 hours. Visit our Lab Tests page for more information on booking a General health Test with us!
Disclaimer: This blog is not intended to be medical advice
References:
Jewell, T. (2021, November 16). 10 important blood tests: What they show, why they’re done, more. Healthline. Retrieved February 8, 2023, from https://www.healthline.com/health/blood-tests#top-blood-tests
Title General Health Blood Test. Labcorp OnDemand. (n.d.). Retrieved February 8, 2023, from https://www.ondemand.labcorp.com/lab-tests/basic-wellness#:~:text=Title&text=This%20package%20includes%20a%20collection,for%20health%20conditions%2C%20including%20diabetes.
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