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Mandatory tests: What tests will help maintain health
In our daily routine, we often postpone visits to the doctor - "because there is no time", "nothing hurts", "later". But the body, like any complex mechanism, needs regular checks. And the easiest way not to miss a problem is to take a few basic tests. Not when the symptoms have already become obvious, but even before that. This is what allows you to notice changes in time that are not felt physically, but are already starting inside the body.
Mandatory tests are not just a doctor's requirement or a formality during a medical examination. They are basic self-care, prevention that can save your health, money, and time. Below is a list of basic laboratory tests that should be performed regularly. The table shows the purpose of each of them and the recommended frequency of their delivery.
Mandatory tests and frequency
| Analysis name | Research objective | Recommended frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Complete blood count (CBC) | Detection of anemia, inflammation, infections | 1 time per year |
| Complete urinalysis (CUR) | Assessment of kidney and urinary system function | 1 time per year |
| Biochemical blood test | Liver, kidney, heart, metabolism check | 1 time per year |
| Blood glucose | Controlling sugar levels and diabetes risk | 1 time per year |
| Lipid profile | Cardiovascular disease risk assessment | Once a year after 30 years of age |
| TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) | Thyroid function test | Once a year or as indicated |
| HIV, syphilis, hepatitis B and C | Diagnosis of sexually transmitted infections | 1 time per year |
| Pap test / PSA | Cervical/prostate cancer screening | Every year after age 40 |
| Coprogram | Assessment of gastrointestinal function, enzymatic activity | Once a year or as needed |
These studies cover the most important systems of the body: hematopoiesis, liver, kidney, heart, thyroid, immunity, digestion, and also allow to exclude the risks of infections or cancer. It is important to undergo them not only for those who have chronic diseases or complaints, but also for people without symptoms - to be confident in their health.
How to properly prepare for tests
To ensure reliable results, follow these simple rules:
donate blood in the morning on an empty stomach (do not eat for 8–12 hours);
the day before the tests, avoid fatty, fried foods and alcohol;
refrain from physical exertion and severe stress;
drink plain water (coffee, tea and juices are not recommended);
collect urine in a sterile container, preferably a medium portion;
Women are not recommended to take smears or urine samples during menstruation.
These simple steps will help avoid false results and repeat testing.
Tests for different ages
The list of recommended tests changes slightly at each age. If you:
up to 30 years old — enough basic tests (ZAK, ZAS, glucose, HIV, hepatitis, biochemistry);
30–45 years old — added control of cholesterol, hormones, liver function;
after 45 years — cancer screening (PAP test / PSA), monitoring of cardiovascular risks becomes mandatory.
The older you get, the more often you should check those systems that undergo changes over time - the heart, blood vessels, and endocrine system.
Examination is not a sentence and not necessarily a reason for panic. On the contrary, it is a tool for control and confidence. In most cases, the results confirm that everything is fine. But even if a deviation is detected, at an early stage most conditions are easily corrected - with diet, regimen or treatment. And this is the power of prevention: not to wait until it gets bad, but to act in advance.
