So, I’m nearing forty (ack!) and it’s been a while since I had a physical… 10 years or so I guess. Haven’t seen anyone since I left the Army.
In any case, in addition to the garden variety check-up stuff, are there specific tests I should request in order to understand where I am in terms of test levels, or risk factors for other unpleasant health conditions? I’m listening…
Well I’m probably the last dumbass you want to hear from. Last time I saw a doctor I was 33 and the lazy bastard had the nerve to say I was in pretty good shape for my age, I felt like ripping his head off. At the time I was competing in triathlons and bike racing. I don’t have a lot of good to say about doctors.
Now that rant is out of the way, I should probably see a doctor for some tests as well. I have the male ego syndrome that says “If it ain’t broke don’t fix it” Fuckin ego’s always getting me in trouble. So I guess I’ll be interested in what advice you get as well. All the best.
In my opinion alot depends on your history (family and personal). Does your family have any tendency for certain cancers or heart disease or diabetes? Have you had any certain problems : promiscuous gay sex, smoking, heroin use etc.
In general you should be looking at chem panel (checks liver, kidneys, blood sugar), lipid panel (cholesterol, triglycerides etc), thyroid (tsh), CBC with differential (blood count and cellular immune system). It may not be too soon to check your prostate (PSA). I think a hormone profile (total testosterone, free testo, estradiol) is warrented.
However the history becomes important too. If you have a family history of diabetes a foot exam, eye exam, and perhaps a glycohemoglobin A1C.
Do you have any other history you can share : what is your weight, has that fluctuated? Personal habits (alcohol etc). Family history (siblings alive, parents alive or what did they die of etc)
You just had to mention Prostate, and here I was starting to like you LOL!
That’s real handy info Fawkes. We have a brain drain problem up north here. I’ve had a lot of difficulty finding a good doctor that isn’t over run with patients.
Sure helps to be able to say exactly what you’re looking to have done. I will use your advise to my advantage, even that prostate thing. Thanks!
Glad I could help…LOL
How do you keep the skating up in British Columbia. Do you have an indoor track?
I live in Victoria, so I’m down about four month of the year rain, rain, rain. Nothing indoor. That’s serious gym time in the off season.
[quote]Fawkes wrote:
In my opinion alot depends on your history (family and personal). Does your family have any tendency for certain cancers or heart disease or diabetes? Have you had any certain problems : promiscuous gay sex, smoking, heroin use etc.
In general you should be looking at chem panel (checks liver, kidneys, blood sugar), lipid panel (cholesterol, triglycerides etc), thyroid (tsh), CBC with differential (blood count and cellular immune system). It may not be too soon to check your prostate (PSA). I think a hormone profile (total testosterone, free testo, estradiol) is warrented.
However the history becomes important too. If you have a family history of diabetes a foot exam, eye exam, and perhaps a glycohemoglobin A1C.
Do you have any other history you can share : what is your weight, has that fluctuated? Personal habits (alcohol etc). Family history (siblings alive, parents alive or what did they die of etc)[/quote]
Hmmmm… Nope, no opiates or gay sex, promiscuous or otherwise.
I did smoke for a while. Combat has a habit of making certain behaviors seem less risky by comparison.
I’m 38 at between 5’11" and 6’ with a 34" waist and 49" or 50" chest. I currently weigh in @ 215 lbs and spend 5 days a week in the gym. I do not have a sedentary job and am a fairly active guy. I used to fall out of airplanes for a living and have some minor abuse injuries as a result. I don’t have any BF% stats or other body measurements at hand. I have 3 or 4 drinks a week (wine or beer). Weight has not significantly fluctuated but has risen about 30 lbs in the last couple of years as I have become more serious about my training… not sure how much is muscle gain and/or fat loss.
I started wearing corrective lenses about 10 years ago, when I left the Army (weak 'scrip), didn’t like them, couldn’t make contacts work, stopped wearing them. Eyes are fine… i.e. I can pass the driver’s license eye exam without assistance and can still hit a man sized target center mass at 300 meters with iron sights.
Family history…
-Paternal Grandmother had diabetes and smoked heavily. Lived well into her 80’s.
-Paternal Grandfather had emphysema and suffered 3 massive heart attacks… smoked heavily and lived into his late 80’s.
-Maternal Grandfather had minor heart arrhythmia late in life. He smoked heavily in until his mid-50’s. Had glaucoma surgery in his late 80’s. Lived into his mid-90’s.
-Maternal Grandmother has minor thyroid imbalance and rheumatoid arthritis. Never smoked and is still alive in her late 80’s or early 90’s.
No known cases of cancer and both parents are still alive.
Hope that helps. Thanks for your assistance.
Ahem… anyone have additional input…?