Put your health to the test: take these tests to see whether you have a possible health condition your physician should check - Brief Article

Vibrant Life, Jan-Feb, 2003 by Elaine M. Koonty

Many times people suffer medical problems and yet resist going to the doctor to get themselves checked out. Either their lifestyles are so busy that they don't think it's worth taking time out of their day to squeeze in a doctor's appointment, or they don't want to appear to be a "complainer" by going to see a physician. Because of this, many illnesses go undiagnosed for years, and lifestyles are drastically changed or diminished to accommodate what ails people.

Following are five short tests that can help you to assess whether you may have a specific health problem. These tests briefly touch on some of the symptoms of the most commonly undiagnosed medical conditions. It is imperative that anytime you sense something is wrong with your health, you go to a trained professional who can help: These trips to the doctor should not take the place of your regular checkups and screenings. No one is so busy that they cannot squeeze in a doctor's appointment, and you will not be seen as a hypochondriac; instead you will be viewed as an aware and intelligent person.

Check any of the following symptoms that sound familiar to you, and then look at the corresponding results to see if your health could be in danger.

Test A is based on common symptoms of blood sugar problems. Every adult aged 45 or older should have a fasting plasma glucose test done every three years. This is a blood test that measures your glucose levels after an eight-hour fast. A few factors that could leave you predisposed to diabetes include being obese, having a family history of problems, being of African-American descent, delivering a child that weighed nine or more pounds, and having high blood pressure or cholesterol.

If the symptoms in Test A sound familiar but you've been tested and the results were normal, a few lifestyle changes could drastically affect the way you feel. You may want to consider the following:

* Cutting back on sugary beverages

* Trading in white for rye bread

* Eating whole fresh fruit instead of dry

* Exercising, because it helps to increase metabolism and leads to more even absorption of food

* Losing weight (most overweight people are insulin resistant)

Test B was based on comon symptoms of a poorly functioning immune system. There is no specific lab test that can diagnose immune system dysfunction, but doctors know the warning signs to look for.

Some small changes that could boost your immune system include:

* Adding more whole grains, vegetables, and fruits to your diet (raw and lightly steamed vegetables especially help the immune system to fight pathogens)

* Eliminating coffee, sugar, and alcohol

* Moderately exercising, since exercise increases the circulation of immune cells throughout the body

* Considering taking vitamin C, Beta Carotene, Selenium, Vitamin E, and Zinc supplements. Consult with your doctor.

Test C was based on common symptoms that are linked to food intolerance. One way of finding out whether this is your problem entails finding an allergist who has been certified by the American Board of Allergy and Immunology. He or she will first perform a detailed diet and medical history, do a skin prick or blood test, and then possibly gauge your reaction to specific foods. Your other option is to see a registered dietician or nutritionist, who will probably decipher which foods are your problem through elimination and challenge. This entails the elimination of all possible triggers for five days and then the reintroduction of each, one at a time, to find the problem. If the test shows that you are allergic to a food you frequently consume, the registered dietician or nutritionist can then help to ensure that you get all of the nutrients that may now be lacking as a result of allergy-related restrictions.

Test D is based on common symptoms of anemia. There are two different types of anemia. The more common type is caused by a lack of iron in the blood or an inability to handle correctly the iron that your body does carry. In turn, the body produces smaller and fewer cells. The other type is B12 anemia, also known as macrocytic anemia, which is far less common and results in cells that are too large.

It has been estimated that an average of 60 to 70 percent of women are at least borderline anemic. You will need a simple blood test for diagnosis.

If your test has come back normal or just below normal, there are some things that can help prevent the development of anemia or the worsening of anemia. If you take an iron supplement or a multivitamin that contains iron, or eat iron-rich foods, do not take it or eat it with calcium supplements or dairy products, since calcium blocks absorption of iron. Instead, take the supplement or eat iron-rich food with vitamin C, which helps absorption.

Some foods that contain a high amount of iron are:

* Blackstrap molasses

* Breakfast cereals

* Cherries

* Dates, figs, prunes, and raisins

* Dried beans

* Egg yolks

* Green, leafy vegetables

* Tofu

The last test, Test E, is designed to determine whether a thyroid problem could be putting your health at risk. Hypothyroidism and all other thyroid problems are diagnosed through a simple blood test and are helped by taking small doses of synthetic thyroid hormone.