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Yearly Health Checks

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Abstract

macrumors Penryn
Original poster
I'm 25 years old, and will be 26 in a few months. Should I start going for a yearly check up? I don't even have a regular doctor in Australia. They have these American-style massive centres full of doctors who give you around 5 minutes of their time and want to keep the conveyor belt moving. I could go find a single private practice doctor, but they're harder to get. Also, paying to go see a doctor? That's crazy in Canadian terms!

Anyway, I might start going now, or I'll probably wait until I'm 30. Do you have an annual check-up? What sort of tests do they do on you at a check-up? I'm guessing they check your testicles for testicular cancer (if you're male or from Wales 😉 ), and check your heart rhythm. How does it feel, and what else do they check for?
 
Hmm i have always had yearly checkups since birth. Not that they did anything for me (still am sick with unknown disease anyways 😛) however it is always better to go to the doctor than not to go.

Normally during physical exams they will check you over and do a cholesterol blood test, Thyroid, CBC, BMP or CMP (metabolic panel) maybe a liver profile. And if you are over 50 they will do a PSA as well.

That is the basic tests they will do.
 
I´d definitely do the yearly check-up if you´re not already.

Find a doctor who will take the time to discuss what you want done and what you should have done on a yearly basis.
 
Abstract said:
... will be 26 in a few months. Should I start going for a yearly check up?
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There are probably a lot of people who bypass a yearly check-up in their 20s, but problems can develop at any time for various reasons. It is a good habit to get into at an early age ... you will not regret going on an annual basis.
 
eva01 said:
Normally during physical exams they will check you over and do a cholesterol blood test, Thyroid, CBC, BMP or CMP (metabolic panel) maybe a liver profile. And if you are over 50 they will do a PSA as well.

That is the basic tests they will do.
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Hmm. Well in the UK they wouldn't do any of these tests for someone in their 20s, 30s or even 40s, at this age you are assumed to be in good health. In fact as long as there's nothing worrying on medical history or exam a simple BP check and urine dipstick should suffice. If the exam shows an irregular heart rate or the patient complains of palpitations/chest pain then get an ecg, if there's sugar in the water then get a BM. But invasive tests are just that and in a young person they're by and large unnecessary. I'm sure that they might occasionally turn up some very unexpected findings but the cost and anxiety just wouldn't be worth it.

You will not get your testes palpated at a general exam (although you might be asked if you examine them). A yearly check up shouldn't do you any harm and may be of benefit. I wouldn't go private and I certainly woldn't worry that a stranger is going to end up fondling your balls or fingering up your back passage!
 
jimN said:
... I certainly woldn't worry that a stranger is going to end up fondling your balls or fingering up your back passage!
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Now if either of those procedures exceeds 15 seconds each and no explanation is given, you might want to ask why. 🙂
 
I wouldn't go private and I certainly woldn't worry that a stranger is going to end up fondling your balls or fingering up your back passage!
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That is pretty inconsistent here in the states. I have had doctors do one or the other, but not both. I'm not hip on having some dude put his index finger where it doesn't belong or juggling my doo-dads, but if it spots something unusual, then I am fine with it.

My current doctor is an asshat. A physical consists of three questions and a bloodtest. This is the guy that made me wait months before an MRI that showed two completely blown otr discs that had fragmented all over my lower back.

When he finally referred me to the neurosurgeon, the guy looked at my MRI and said " When did this start?" I said "8 months ago." He just shook his head and said "Lets get you into surgery soon."

I HATE most doctors. Idiots. Back problems aside, I do try and get one every other year, but as approach 40, I will go every year. Christ that sounded scary.
 
iGary said:
I HATE most doctors. Idiots.
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The clear majority of doctors I have interactions with have left me unimpressed. Between assembly line procedures and abrupt demeanor, there are plenty of reasons to feel indifferent or hostile towards them. Now that my left knee is causing much pain when ascending stairs, I will schedule a consultation with an orthopedic specialist within the next month or so. More good news to come. 🙁
 
I'm lucky, I've got a doctor who works WITH me, listens to me, and whose judgement I trust. But it took a while to find him.
 
annk said:
I'm lucky, I've got a doctor who works WITH me, listens to me, and whose judgement I trust. But it took a while to find him.
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Begin the cloning procedure immediately!
 
Deepdale said:
Begin the cloning procedure immediately!
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Heheh, I'll tell him that next time I'm there. These good doctors need positive feedback 😀
 
annk said:
These good doctors need positive feedback 😀
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They are deserving of that, just as bad ones are worthy of all the negative comments they may find themselves on the receiving end of. You are fortunate to have found one that has earned both your trust and confidence.
 
iGary said:
I HATE most doctors. Idiots. Back problems aside, I do try and get one every other year, but as approach 40, I will go every year. Christ that sounded scary.
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Here's hoping i'm not one of the most.

As you get older the chances of testicular cancer drop off markedly - it is very much a young person's cancer whilst prostate cancer is quite the opposite. This would explain whilst doctors rarely do both. I think that if any doctor is examining your back passage without very good reason and you're under 40 I'd ask to see his credentials! We're a prudish bunch in the UK but I like to think that we do things for a reason and not because they're there!
 
annk said:
I'm lucky, I've got a doctor who works WITH me, listens to me, and whose judgement I trust. But it took a while to find him.
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I'm in a similar boat. I tend to ask semi complicated questions to my doctor, definitely things I've looked up online. But its not me trying to diagnose myself at all, these are more later on questions. I will also openly tell my doctor no, and I have openly denied his advice in favor of a second opinion on one occasion. I mean these things are childish but they send the right message that you're more than open to finding a new or better doctor at any given moment.
 
My doctor is Mark Vonnegut, the son of the famous author Kurt Vonnegut.

I visit the doctor once a year, but I'm still in high school. I intend to continue this pattern, but I have no idea if I actually will.
 
QCassidy352 said:
I never go to the doctor unless there's something wrong. Maybe I should, but I'm not going to.
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Neither do I... infact I'm trying to remember the last time I actually went to the docs. 😕

Years... certainly not this decade that's for sure. I just don't get ill. It's kinda freaky actually.
 
iGav said:
I'm trying to remember the last time I actually went to the docs ... Years... certainly not this decade that's for sure. I just don't get ill.
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That's a good track record. You are in your upper 20s and I hope you ride that streak for a long time to come.
 
Deepdale said:
That's a good track record. You are in your upper 20s and I hope you ride that streak for a long time to come.
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Lets hope 😀

The last time I was in a doc's surgery for me was 1997 I believe, which was to register with a doctor (I wasn't ill or anything). 😉

I seldom get ill, usually at worst the sniffles, and the occasional sore throat... but nothing that a couple of days rest and hot chocolate won't cure, and certainly nothing worthy of taking up/wasting a doc's time.

Actually... my throats a bit sore at the moment, but I think that's got more to do with seeing Paddy McGuinness last week. 😛 😛 😛

Though that reminds me, I will need to get my tetanus booster sometime soon.
 
iGav said:
Needles don't bother me... care to see my piercings? 😉 😀
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I'm terrified of needles. A doctor offered to show me how to give myself (harmless) injections - he thought that might get me past my fear of needles. I didn't take him up on it 😱
 
annk said:
I'm terrified of needles. A doctor offered to show me how to give myself (harmless) injections -
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I remember an old segment on a PBS show where patients were shown how to practice giving themselves injections by using oranges. How unlucky can a piece of fruit get? 🙂
 
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