Four Medical Tests You Should Know About

During an annual physical exam, most doctors will routinely order tests to check the patient's cholesterol and blood sugar levels. Keeping these levels within normal ranges can help us reduce our risk factors for serious health conditions such as diabetes, atherosclerosis, and heart disease. These four medical tests may alert you and your physician to potential health conditions that may need addressed to keep you healthy and fit until a ripe old age!

Vitamin D

New research shows that Vitamin D is even more important that previously thought. Vitamin D is known to be necessary for calcium absorption and healthy bone growth, but it also plays an important role in keeping the immune and nervous systems functioning, and in the prevention of cancers. Vitamin D deficiency is a major problem in the United States and many people aren't aware they are lacking this important nutrient.

Vitamin D is known as the "sunshine vitamin." Our skin absorbs Vitamin D naturally when we are out in the sun. People who don't get out in the sun daily, who live in northern climates, or who wear sunblock regularly, may become deficient in this important nutrient. Even though many dairy and soy products are fortified with Vitamin D, it is difficult to get enough of this vitamin from food sources.

Most people need about 15 to 30 minutes of sun exposure daily to provide adequate amounts of Vitamin D; dark-skinned people may need more. Ask your doctor about the amount of daily sun exposure he would recommend for you. If he advises you to avoid sunlight exposure (due to previous skin cancers or other health conditions) ask him about the Vitamin D test and the possibility that you may need supplements.

CRP (C-reactive protein)

CRP testing has been used in the past to assess the condition of patients with forms of arthritis, and while it doesn't diagnose a specific condition, it can identify those who are at risk for various illnesses. CRP is a protein made by our immune system in response to inflammation. High levels of this protein may indicate the presence of inflammation in the body.

CRP levels will be low in a patient in general good health. Women who are pregnant or taking oral contraceptives may have high levels that don't necessarily indicate illness, and minor illnesses and infections may temporarily raise levels. Elevated CRP levels can be a marker for heart attacks, strokes, diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and other serious health conditions. Ask your doctor if he thinks you might benefit from having your CRP levels checked. Schedule your exam when you are feeling well, and let your doctor know if you have been sick recently.

H. Pylori

H. Pylori is a bacterium responsible for peptic ulcers. Traditionally, ulcers were assumed to be caused by stress, and patients were cautioned about eating particular foods that might create excess stomach acid. Modern research shows that about 80% of peptic ulcer patients are infected with H. Pylori. Dietary restrictions may be part of the therapy, but antibiotics have become a proven method of curing ulcers and preventing them from returning.

H. Pylori may eventually go away on its own, or may cause a recurring ulcer that can become a medical emergency. Ulcer disease is not always painful, and more easily treated when caught in the early stages. Ask your doctor about being tested for H. Pylori if you've ever had a peptic ulcer in the past.

Insulin Levels

The incidence of Type 2 diabetes is rising to epidemic levels in the U.S. The glucose tolerance test is often used to identify diabetic patients. Recently, doctors have begun using this test to identify those who are at risk of diabetes, enabling the patient to make lifestyle changes to keep diabetes at bay.

The test is typically done by drawing blood twice-once after fasting, then again two hours after you have consumed a glucose drink. If the results show you have a high risk of Type 2 diabetes, you can get a head start on changing your life style and eating habits to ward off this serious disease and its inevitable complications when it goes untreated.

Ask your doctor about these tests and let him decide if they may benefit your future health. Your insurance may refuse to pay for tests that aren't deemed medically necessary, but it won't hurt to ask about them during your next regular physical exam. Knowing what the future may hold for you in terms of your health can get you started on the right path to preventing potentially life-threatening, and costly, illnesses and allow you to enjoy a better quality of life as you reach your golden years.

Sources:

http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/h_pylori/test.html

http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/vitamin_d/test.html

http://www.medicinenet.com/c-reactive_protein_test_crp/article.htm

http://www.medicinenet.com/glucose_tolerance_test/article.htm