Preventative medical tests
Laboratory (lab) tests give your doctor information about your health. You may feel fine and the doctor will still recommend a test to:
- Find the cause of symptoms
- Confirm a diagnosis
- Screen for a disease
- Find out how serious a disease is
- Find out if a treatment is working
- Make sure medicines are not causing a secondary problem
Examples of regular tests North Star Medical recommends
The timing for any tests will be recommended by one of our doctors, based on your medical history.
(Note: these were taken from this website provided by Mike – let me know of other common test you want to mention.
https://choosingwiselycanada.org/pamphlet/health-check-ups/#when-not-helpful )
- High blood pressure and hypertension
- Cervical cancer
- High cholesterol
- Diabetes
- Breast cancer
- Colon cancer
- Osteoporosis (weakened bones)
- Abdominal aortic aneurysm (enlarged blood vessel)
Preparing for a medical test
When you or someone in your care needs a medical test, you may have some questions. Learn how to prepare for a test, and find out more about any specific medical test or procedure.
Decision Points
Decision Points are designed to guide you through key health decisions, combining medical test or lab result with your personal information to make a wise health decision.
- Find out about health decision points
Preparing Your Child for a Medical Test
Medical tests can be scary for adults and for children. You can help your child feel safe and calm during medical tests if you understand why your child is having the test and remain calm yourself.
Medications
It is natural to have some questions about the medications you are taking. You may be curious about generic or brand name medications, or you may have concerns about side effects.
Annual Checkups – are they necessary?
Like many people, you may schedule a yearly checkup or “annual physical” with your health care provider. It usually includes a health history, physical exam and tests.
In general, the tests done as part of an annual physical probably won’t help you stay well and live longer, although they serve an important role in early identification of problems like high blood pressure.
As your family doctor, we will help you decide if you will benefit from an annual physical, or if it will cause unnecessary stress.
- Booklet: Health Check-ups: when you need them and when you don’t.