What are the medical examination items for the elderly?
Mar 19, 2025
Source: Cainiu Health
Dr. Yang Ziqi
Introduction
Under normal circumstances, elderly health checkup items include blood glucose testing, lipid profile testing, chest X-ray, routine urinalysis, and tumor marker testing. It is recommended that elderly individuals undergo regular physical examinations to detect and address potential health issues in a timely manner. In daily life, consuming more vegetables, fruits, and engaging in regular physical exercise can help enhance physical fitness.
Generally, the medical examination items for the elderly include blood glucose testing, lipid profile testing, chest X-ray, routine urinalysis, and tumor marker testing. A detailed analysis is as follows:
1. Blood Glucose Testing
Blood glucose testing involves collecting a blood sample and using methods such as the glucose oxidase method to allow glucose in the blood to react with reagents, producing substances that can be detected. The instrument calculates the blood glucose level based on its absorbance, helping to determine if diabetes or abnormal blood glucose levels are present, enabling timely intervention to prevent complications.
2. Lipid Profile Testing
Lipid profile testing involves drawing venous blood and using chemical or enzymatic methods to quantitatively analyze components such as cholesterol, triglycerides, low-density lipoprotein (LDL), and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) in the blood. This helps assess lipid metabolism and cardiovascular disease risk, as abnormal lipid levels are significant risk factors for diseases like atherosclerosis.
3. Chest X-ray
Chest X-rays utilize the penetrating, fluorescent, and photosensitive properties of X-rays. When X-rays pass through the chest, different tissues absorb them to varying degrees, forming images of differing black and white intensities on a fluorescent screen or film. These images allow visualization of the lungs, heart, mediastinum, and ribs to detect abnormalities such as pneumonia, lung cancer, or cardiac enlargement.
4. Routine Urinalysis
Routine urinalysis involves collecting a urine sample and using a urine chemistry analyzer and microscopic examination to assess parameters such as color, clarity, pH, specific gravity, protein, glucose, ketones, red blood cells, and white blood cells in the urine. This reflects the function and health status of the kidneys and urinary system, aiding in the diagnosis of kidney disease and urinary tract infections.
5. Tumor Marker Testing
Tumor marker testing involves collecting blood or other samples and employing techniques such as immunochemical methods or radioimmunoassay to measure levels of tumor markers such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and carbohydrate antigens in the blood. Abnormal levels may indicate an increased risk of certain cancers, although tumor diagnosis generally cannot be made based solely on these markers and must be interpreted in conjunction with other diagnostic tests.
It is recommended that elderly individuals undergo regular physical examinations to promptly detect and address health issues. In daily life, they should eat more vegetables and fruits, engage in regular physical activity, and improve their overall physical fitness.
