Wondering when you should get preventative lab testing and diagnostics checkups? This guide covers recommended ages, frequencies and reasons to get tested.
Do you know your cholesterol levels? Or if you are prediabetic? Diagnostic testing near me provides objective data about your underlying health.
But confusion often exists around when and how often adults should undergo routine checks.
Use this guide to learn key ages and frequencies for getting bloodwork, imaging, cancer screens and more based on leading recommendations.
What is Preventative Diagnostic Testing?
Diagnostic exams go beyond a standard physical to uncover hidden health issues through:
Blood tests
Imaging scans
Pathology screens
Catching problems early before symptoms appear gives you the best chance for effective treatment.
Common checks look for signals suggesting:
Heart disease
Diabetes
Cancer
Thyroid dysfunction
Liver function issues
Kidney problems
Nutrient deficiencies
And more
Talk to your doctor about what baseline testing aligns with your age, risk factors and family history.
Should testing be done when feeling healthy?
Key Age Guidelines
Age | Recommended Testing |
20s/30s |
|
40s |
|
50+ |
|
Use this table as a starting point for discussions with your physician about early detection.
Top Diagnostic Tests by Age
18-29 Years Old
Pap Testing: Women should start Pap smears at age 21 to screen for cervical cancer. Testing occurs every 3 years.
Cholesterol: Men ages 20-35 and women 20-45 should get a baseline lipid blood panel.
Metabolic Testing: Ages 20+ can uncover risk factors like prediabetes.
30-49 Years Old
Mammograms: Annual breast cancer screening starts at age 40.
Skin Checks: Annual skin cancer checks help early identification.
Thyroid Testing: TSH blood testing helps diagnose issues like hypothyroidism.
50+ Years
Colonoscopies: Colon cancer testing begins at age 45-50.
Bone Density: Women should get baseline bone density scans at age 50.
AAA Screening: Men ages 65-75 who smoked get one-time abdominal aorta scans.
What Does Health Insurance Cover?
The Affordable Care Act mandates full coverage of:^2
Colonoscopies from ages 45-75
Annual mammograms ages 40+
Annual Pap tests and pelvic exams
Flu shots
Obesity screenings and counseling
STD tests
Diabetes tests
Bone density scans
AAA ultrasounds
And more
Discuss test costs at your diagnostic center. Screenings can run from $100 to $300 without insurance.
Why Get Tested Early and Often?
75% of spending on healthcare in the U.S. goes toward treatment of preventable chronic illnesses.^3
Yet only 3% of national health expenditures focus on prevention.^3
Detecting issues early saves money and lives through earlier treatment. Key benefits include:
Affordable testing costs
Better health outcomes
Less invasive treatment
Lower medication needs
Decreased risk for related conditions
Work with your physician to determine the right timeline for screening based on your unique risk profile.
Take Charge of Your Health
Staying on top of recommended age-based testing allows you to take control of your health. Diagnosing problems early on gives you more options for treatment before conditions progress.
Discuss guidelines covered here with your doctor and determine the right timeline for screening appointments to proactively safeguard wellness.
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