Going to "Well-Man" clinic - getting blood test ?
Discussion
Guys,
Going to one of these "Well Man" clinics offered by the local GP's surgery.
I understand they will take blood pressure and other stats etc - but I can also get a number of blood tests to diagnose any specific issues - or examine aspects of my health.
I started a new "get healthy" campaign a few months ago and have lost a bit of weight and generally got much fitter. I also started taking a number of supplements e.g concentrated Omega 3 etc.
I'd like a cholestrol test - to see what my "good" and "bad" cholestrol numbers look like in light of the the new regimen - anything else I should be asking for to help me gauge my fitness and generally see if there is anyhting I need to modify in my diet and exercise/fitness programme?
I believe that the cholesterol blood test is a 'fasting' one, have you been asked to fast before your blood test? If they don't do it as part of your 'well man' check, if you mention that you are concerned and would like a cholesterol test then they should arrange one for you for another day.
I think they'll check your blood pressure etc and talk to you about diet, exercise, smoking etc.
I think they'll check your blood pressure etc and talk to you about diet, exercise, smoking etc.
if you want to lower cholesterol you could cook with things like ultra-virgin olive oils, this helps stimulate the production of HDL's, which reduce circulating cholesterol by transporting it to the liver (where it could be converted/made into certain hormones etc....better than than as atheroma!)
if you want to be generally healthy and are really keen on it, do a food diary. a complete PITA but it can be worth it. just record EVERYTHING you eat for a week or so. add the totals up for fats (saturated too), sugars, complex carbs and so on. see where you're energy is coming from, make sure you have enough fibre. make sure you don't consume over 6g of salt per day etc etc just the usuals. recent evidence also shows that physical activity is probably more important that body mass. and with regards to blood pressure, they say 120/80mmHG is 'perfect', bare in mind with age this will naturally go up and some people have a different 'set point' so if it's a little way off i wouldn't worry too much, just keep it checked up. urinalysis is worth while too, a lot can be checked from those. just ask your well-being clinic or gp.
if you want to be generally healthy and are really keen on it, do a food diary. a complete PITA but it can be worth it. just record EVERYTHING you eat for a week or so. add the totals up for fats (saturated too), sugars, complex carbs and so on. see where you're energy is coming from, make sure you have enough fibre. make sure you don't consume over 6g of salt per day etc etc just the usuals. recent evidence also shows that physical activity is probably more important that body mass. and with regards to blood pressure, they say 120/80mmHG is 'perfect', bare in mind with age this will naturally go up and some people have a different 'set point' so if it's a little way off i wouldn't worry too much, just keep it checked up. urinalysis is worth while too, a lot can be checked from those. just ask your well-being clinic or gp.
Firstly- its good to make a change. Most men know the condition of their car better than they know their health.
In the clinic you can do a cholesterol check and I would recommend a fasting one however; the blood test in it self means little. There is a group of risk factors rangeing from family history to underlying health problems, weight, blood pressure, diet and other such as smoking and alcohol which forms a basis on what to do about results. Some of them is not much you can do about (such as genes passed on)but at least if you have a general health check to see where you are you are then better informed to make decisions affecting your well being.
In the clinic you can do a cholesterol check and I would recommend a fasting one however; the blood test in it self means little. There is a group of risk factors rangeing from family history to underlying health problems, weight, blood pressure, diet and other such as smoking and alcohol which forms a basis on what to do about results. Some of them is not much you can do about (such as genes passed on)but at least if you have a general health check to see where you are you are then better informed to make decisions affecting your well being.
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