The most important blood tests to do once a year to really know your health
Unfortunately, Italian official medicine in recent years seems more and more cost-containing rather than real prevention. The result is that often the health of people spends on the second floor compared to health saving, and many useful preventive examinations are not prescribed or are not covered by the National Health Service. It becomes therefore necessary, more and more often, to learn to independently protect one's health.
The exams I describe in this article are also detailed in my book dedicated to the prevention of heart attack. I also speak for personal experience: after experiencing this problem directly, I found myself in front of a therapeutic approach almost exclusively limited to statins and traditional drugs, which often treat a disorder but can create imbalances in other organs. Not finding complete answers, I began studying for years nutrition, integration and preventive medicine, learning especially to monitor my biological state through targeted examinations.
Some of these tests are little known even by many doctors, yet they are fundamental. Not by chance, several of them are not even refunded by the SSN — a questionable choice considering their preventive value.
With about Total EUR 200However, it is possible to obtain an extremely precise photograph of your health.
Exams generally covered by the National Health Service (SSN)
These exams are the basis of traditional clinical evaluation and are usually prescribed by the doctor in the presence of controls or risk factors.
Examination urine
Evaluate kidney function, urinary infections and metabolic alterations. It allows to identify problems often silent in the early stages.
Emochrome
Analyzes red, white and platelets. It offers a general overview of anemia, infections and immune status.
Quick time (INR)
It measures the blood clotting capacity and is useful to prevent thrombosis or hemorrhagic problems.
Tromboplastin time (PTT)
Complete the evaluation of the coagulation by identifying any ethical alterations.
Fibrinogen
Coagulation indicator and inflammation; high levels are associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
Azotemia
Evaluate protein metabolism and kidney function.
Glycemia
Basic parameter to detect diabetes and alterations in sugar metabolism.
HbA1c (Emoglobin glicata)
It shows the glycemic average of recent months and allows for early diagnosis of prediabetes and diabetes.
Creatinina
Indispensable to evaluate the filter function of the kidneys.
Total cholesterol
General indicator of lipid metabolism.
HDL cholesterol
The so-called "good" cholesterol, associated with cardiovascular protection.
Colesterol LDL
Traditional parameter for atherosclerotic risk assessment.
Triglycerides
They reflect lipid metabolism and sugar consumption.
Osteolactic Transaminasis (AST)
Report any liver or muscle suffering.
Transaminasi piruvica (ALT)
More specific for the liver, useful for detecting steatosis or liver inflammation.
Exams generally NOT passed by the SSN (but fundamental for prevention)
These tests are the most modern and predictive part of preventive medicine. Often they must be performed privately, but they provide crucial information about the cardiovascular and real metabolic risk.
High sensitivity PCR (hs-PCR)
It detects minimal vascular inflammation, often invisible to traditional examinations. He is one of the best infarction and stroke predictors.
Colesterol oxidized LDL
It identifies the really harmful form of cholesterol responsible for arterial plaques.
25OHD (Vitamin D3)
Evaluates a widespread deficiency that affects immunity, bones and metabolism.
Apolipoprotein A1
Indicates the efficiency of the HDL protective cholesterol transport system.
Apolipoprotein B
It measures the real number of aterogeneous particles and is one of the best cardiovascular risk indicators.
Lipoprotein LP(a)
Independent genetic factor of cardiovascular risk often ignored in standard screening.
basal insulin
It allows to identify the insulin-resistance years before the increase of blood sugar.
Index HOMA
Calculate insulin sensitivity by combining blood sugar and insulin. Fundamental to prevent metabolic syndrome and diabetes.
Homocysteine
Associated with vascular damage and increased cardiovascular and neurological risk.
D-ROMs test
It measures oxidative stress and the level of free radicals responsible for cell aging.
BAP Test
Evaluate the antioxidant capacity of the body, completing the analysis of the oxidative state.
Why it is worth doing them once a year
Many cardiovascular and metabolic problems develop slowly and without symptoms for years. When clinical signs appear, the damage is often advanced.
Perform this examination panel annually allows:
- identify hidden imbalances
- prevent heart attack, diabetes and metabolic syndrome
- monitor inflammation and oxidative stress
- customize power supply and integration
- compare the evolution of values over time
With an expense comparable to that of a cheap smartphone, you can get an extremely powerful prevention tool.
Ultimately, today the real prevention also requires personal awareness: do not wait for the disease, but learn to know your organism before it is too late.
