What is a fitness essential test for men?
With the times that we live in, there are a plethora of reasons that affect our health and fitness. Besides our lifestyle and diet, things that we have no control over also affect our health. These include our age, family history, genetics, etc.
We may be suffering from disorders, the symptoms of which may not be showing up yet. Therefore, to determine our fitness medical tests are advised annually to screen you for diseases and conditions. This could mean saving yourself a lot of trouble in the case these are left undiagnosed or untreated.
Which tests are included in a fitness essential test?
A fitness test evaluates your hormone levels, vitals, and vitamins in your body to check for any underlying conditions. The main fitness tests for men include:
Complete haemogram (CBC + ESR): This test does a count of your red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. This also includes a peripheral smear examination and ESR.
Glucose Fasting Blood: Measurement of blood glucose levels to screen for pre-diabetes or diabetes.
Kidney Function Test: This measures BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen), BUN to Creatinine ratio, Calcium, chloride, creatinine, phosphorus serum, sodium, uric acid, and urea.
Lipid profile: This screen screens for your predisposition to heart diseases and includes checking the levels of HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, LDL/HDL ratio, Non-HDL cholesterol, TC/HDL cholesterol ratio, triglycerides, and VLDL cholesterol.
Liver Function Test: This includes tests like Alanine Aminotransferase, Albumin, Albumin/ Globulin Ratio, Alkaline Phosphatase, Aspartate Aminotransferase, Bilirubin Direct, Bilirubin Indirect, Bilirubin Total, Gamma Glutamyl Transferase, Globulin, and Protein Total tests to measure your enzyme levels.
Testosterone Total: To check for pubertal or fertility issues.
Thyroid screening (T3, T4, TSH): This includes Thyroxine Total and Triiodothyronine Total tests.
Total IgE: An antibody test that checks for predisposition to asthma and allergies.
Urine routine examination: This checks for bacteria, casts, transparency, colour, crystals, Epithelial cells, sugar, pus cells, nitrites, pH, RBCs, specific gravity, urobilinogen, and albumin.
Vitamin B12: For the vitamin B12 levels in your body.
Vitamin D total: For the vitamin D levels in your body.
Iron studies: This includes Percentage Transferrin Saturation and Total Iron Binding Capacity.
Several add-on tests are available and advised in addition to men’s fitness tests:
Vitamin B9
Blood grouping test to classify your blood into Blood group ABO or RH typing.
Insulin fasting to check for predisposition to diabetes and metabolic syndromes.
CRP quantitative to check for the level of blood C-reactive protein.
Triiodothyronine Free
Thyroxine Free
Why do I need to get a fitness essential test?
There are reasons why fitness essential tests are recommended annually like:
These diagnostic tests give out important information about the state of your health and if you are suffering from any conditions or disorders that need to be treated.
Medical fitness examination helps in understanding if you are predisposed to conditions like diabetes, thyroid, anaemia, allergies, etc., and need a preventive recourse.
If you are undergoing treatment for any deficiency or diseases, your fitness test will help in assessing the efficacy of the treatment and if corrective action is needed.
Since you are aware of your health and the possible treatments through annual fitness tests, you can live a stress-free and happy life.
When do I need to get a fitness essential test?
It is recommended to get fitness tests done annually. You may be advised if your doctor feels it necessary to see certain symptoms. Other reasons that make an annual fitness essential test necessary are:
You are obese.
You have a family history of heart diseases, thyroid, cancer, etc.
You are above the age of 60 years.
You don’t have a healthy lifestyle.
How do I prepare for a fitness essential test?
Since these are simple blood tests for medical fitness, you just need to:
Not eat/drink anything for 8-10 hours in case your doctor advises fasting.
In case you need to get a urine testing done, make sure to drink plenty of fluids to give an adequate urine sample.
Tell your doctor if you are on any medication or supplements.
How does fitness essential test at home work?
Technology has made these tests available at home and you don’t need to spend time looking for medical fitness test near me at labs or hospitals. The procedure for getting an at-home fitness test is:
Buy the test pack and schedule it at a convenient time.
A DMLT and WHO certified phlebotomist will collect your samples from home.
Your fitness test report will be available on email and Care.fit app.
Are there any risks/ side effects of fitness essential test?
There are no side effects of fitness tests. However:
Though it’s rare, some people may feel fatigued or dizzy.
Travelling to a lab or clinic may increase your risk of infection or injuries, especially in those with immunity disorders.
What do my test results mean?
Here is how some of the values in your test are interpreted:
S.no
Values
Healthy range
1
RBCs
4.35-5.65 trillion cells/L
2
Haemoglobin
13.2-16.6 grams/dL
3
Hematocrit
38.3-48.6 percent
4
WBCs
3.4-9.6 billion cells/L
5
Platelets
135-317 billion/L
6
Blood sugar
72-99 mg/dL (fasting)
7
Testosterone
300 ng/dL
8
IgE
150-300 Ui/ml
9
Urine pH
4.5-8
10
TSH
18-30 years: 0.5-4.15 miu/L
31-50 years: 0.5-4.15 miu/L
51-70 years: 0.5-4.59 miu/L
71-90 years: 0.4-5.49 miu/L