Vital Tests Women Should Take Every Year

It is the need of the hour for women to take these tests without fail to improve their overall well-being. In today's fast-paced world, women are juggling an ever-growing list of responsibilities, from managing their careers to taking care of their families and maintaining a work-life balance. Amid all these demands, many women often end up neglecting their health and well-being.

Neglecting one's physical and mental well-being not only jeopardizes individual health but also impacts relationships, work performance, and overall quality of life. While women have made tremendous strides in various domains, it's time for a collective shift towards prioritising self-care and setting boundaries that allow them to fulfil their responsibilities without sacrificing their health.

These are some of the essential tests that women should take

1. The Complete Blood Count (CBC) identifies conditions such as anaemia, infections, and certain types of cancer.
2. For the Blood Pressure Test, an ideal reading is below 120/80. If the reading is normal, testing should be done again the following year.
3. The Blood Sugar Test is conducted to detect diabetes. A reading of 99 is considered normal and readings between 100 and 110 mean one has pre-diabetes, while readings higher than 110 are labeled as diabetes.
4.  The lipid profile is an indicator of heart health by measuring total cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, and LDL levels. The ideal levels are LDL below 130 and HDL above 60.
5. ECG test is recommended after age 35, an electrocardiogram (ECG) test is, checks for the risk of heart disease. If the report is normal, it can be repeated annually.
6. A liver function test is done annually to screen for liver conditions, such as  Hepatitis C, and B.
7. Urine analysis helps to know the presence of proteins, sugar, and blood (especially in smokers who are at high risk for bladder cancer) in the urine sample, which could indicate kidney disease, among other conditions.
8. A kidney function test is done to identify impaired kidney function.
9. Thyroid blood tests are important in detecting underactive (hypothyroidism) or overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism).
10. Pap Smear Test identifies pre-cancerous alterations in the cervix and is advised for all sexually active women aged 21 and above.
11. Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) screening for individuals with multiple sexual partners or planning to conceive should undergo screening for sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis, gonorrhoea, HIV, and Hepatitis B and C.
12. Mammography is recommended for breast cancer screening, it may need to be repeated more frequently if there are abnormal findings found by your doctor.

Authored by Dr Swati Gaikwad, Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist, Motherhood Hospital, Pune