Essential tests for women’s well being and for these recovering from COVID-19 now take the spotlight! For more than a year now, Indians are used to wearing face masks anytime a visitor rings the doorbell and in specific, when they step out of their houses. Many have nevertheless fallen sick in spite of taking all measures to remain protected in their houses. Not surprisingly, there is renewed interest in taking care of one’s well being and tracking lab tests whilst at home itself. Women, in specific, have been the most impacted by the pandemic as they have to balance their duties at home alongwith their work-from-home commitments.
For these nevertheless asking yourself ‘What blood tests should I get annually’ or ‘what tests should a woman have every year?’, here’s a prepared reckoner to take note of!
COVID-19: What blood tests are most essential?
Amidst this difficult situation that is anticipated to continue for the foreseeable future, Sameer Bhati, Director – Star Imaging & Path Lab highlights the significance of critical blood tests that females really should take on a regular basis, specially these who have a situation of thyroid and diabetes periodical tests for monitoring COVID-19 and critical tests for the elderly.
According to Sameer Bhati, “People recovering from COVID-19 are at a risk of deep vein thrombosis, so it is recommended to get the D Dimer test done. If you have abnormal D dimer values,some radiological tests like MRI and CT scan may also be recommended. Due to the use of steroids during covid treatment, the sugar level may shoot up, so it is also important to regularly check the blood glucose level in the body.”
What are the critical blood tests that females really should take on a regular basis and why is it helpful for women’s well being?
A lady requires specific care and time to time screenings. As a popular behaviour, we see that females due to one explanation or an additional ignore their well being and therefore common blood verify-ups grow to be essential to come across prospective well being challenges just before they grow to be a issue. Few blood tests which females really should take on a regular basis are:
Anaemia test: Iron deficiency is popular in females as a lady loses blood in the course of pregnancy and menstrual cycle, so it is essential to verify the status of iron in the body on a regular basis and begin supplements if vital.
Blood Glucose test: In investigation it has been located that females are at larger threat of obtaining diabetes. It could be gestational diabetes as properly. Blood glucose tests are essential, specially for these who are preparing for a youngster.
Thyroid test: Women are at a larger threat of thyroid. A lady could have severe complications if they have thyroid diabetes. It also increases the threat of heart illness in females.
Hormonal profile test: Blood tests to measure female hormone levels also can play a function in diagnosing healthcare circumstances such as PCOD/PCOS. Hormonal profile tests could consist of Estrogen, Progesterone, Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), Testosterone/DHEA.
Vitamin D and Calcium: Bone issues are popular in females. Women commonly have thinner and significantly less dense bones than males, and it increases the threat of osteoporosis in females. Osteoporosis mainly impacts older females, but prevention begins at the younger age.
Vitamin B12: Deficiency of vitamin B12 in females who are preparing to get pregnant could have considerable threat and severe consequences.
Lipid profile: Lipid profile is one of the baseline tests for detecting any heart associated complications. Many females are at a threat of higher cholesterol due to family history or other motives, and they do not understand it.
Are there periodical tests that you propose for females with thyroid and diabetes?
For the females with thyroid and diabetes, common monitoring is extremely essential. Thyroid could enhance the threat of metabolic syndrome and can alter the level of glucose in the body. If you have thyroid with diabetes, it could grow to be tricky to handle the level of blood sugar in your body, therefore periodic testing becomes critical. TSH test for thyroid, Blood Sugar (fasting/PP) and HbA1C for diabetes can be repeated right after every single six (6) months to verify the level of thyroid hormone and blood sugar. Women with diabetes and hyperthyroidism have enhanced threat of challenges with heart, eyes and kidney as properly.
What are the critical COVID associated tests to take if you have family members who are infected but you stay uninfected?
If any of the family member is infected, they ought to be isolated initially. Unless and unless you have any symptoms, you do not require to get any tests completed. But if you observe any covid associated symptom, you ought to get the RT PCR test completed. For common monitoring associated to COVID-19, some blood tests are also encouraged like CBC, CRP and so on.
Given the effect of COVID-19, can you highlight the positive aspects of lab testing and the frequency you propose for taking tests?
During the second wave we have seen that individuals are obtaining serious inside no time. So apart from RTPCR tests which are used to diagnose the infection, physicians propose some blood tests like CBC, CRP, ferritin, LDH, D Dimer to on a regular basis monitor and verify the progress in the patients. These tests could be repeated right after 3-4 days as per the recommendation of the treating doctor.
Are there particular and critical tests that really should be taken for elderly members of the family and what is its encouraged frequency?
After a particular age, the frequency of some tests really should enhance as we require to be proactive about our well being and monitor alterations in our body. Some of the tests for older individuals which ought to be repeated right after six (6) months are CBC, LFT, KFT, Lipid profile, Vitamin D, TSH, ECG and Blood Sugar.