5 Important Health Test Women must take Regularly

• Abnormal changes in cell counts that could indicate an underlying medical condition may be detected through a complete blood count (CBC) test, prompting further testing.

• The World Health Organization global estimates of anemia prevalence averaged 56%, with 51% prevalence in the Indian women. 

• CBC test is among the basic tests done in women health check which measures the following:

• Red blood cells, which carry oxygen. 

• White blood cells, which fight infection. 

• Hemoglobin, the oxygen-carrying protein in red blood cells and 

• Platelets, which help blood to clot

• A complete blood count (CBC test) can show unusual increases or decreases in cell counts. Those changes might point to a medical condition that calls for additional testing.

2. Thyroid function tests

• Thyroid disorders are the most common endocrine disorders in the world. It is estimated that almost 42 million people in India suffer from thyroid related disorders. 

• Thyroid function test (TFT) refers to the quantitation of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and circulating thyroid hormones (T3 &T4) in serum, to assess the ability of the thyroid gland to produce and regulate thyroid hormone production. 

• Deficiency or excess causes irregular periods, heavy menstruation, infertility, weight gain or loss.

• Thyroid function tests (TFT) can assist in identifying the presence of hypothyroidism (insufficient thyroid hormones) or hyperthyroidism (excessive thyroid hormones).

• Thyroid diseases are easy to diagnose. Early diagnosis and appropriate treatment are crucial for managing thyroid related problems.

3. Blood Glucose Estimation

• Diabetes is a long-term medical condition that develops when the pancreas fails to produce sufficient insulin or when the body is unable to effectively utilize the insulin it generates.

• Insulin is a hormone that regulates blood sugar.

• The incidence of diabetes in India has increased from 7.1% in 2009 to 8.9% in 2019.

• More than 50% of people are not aware of their diabetic status which leads to health complications if not detected and treated early. 

• A random blood sugar test involves checking the blood glucose level at any given time or randomly throughout the day. It is a test performed outside the regular testing schedule to diagnose/ assess the treatment of diabetes.

4. PAP Smear 

• Cervical cancer (CaCx) is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among Indian females, accounting for 14% of all cancers.

• It is an easy, convenient, non-invasive screening procedure for cervical cancer and check for the presence of precancerous or infections on cervix.

• Early detection of cervical cancer through a PAP smear increases the likelihood of successful treatment. 

• A PAP smear test can also detect changes in your cervical cells that suggest cancer may develop in the future and is an integral part of women health check. 

5. Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 level test

• Vitamin D, which is a fat-soluble vitamin, plays a crucial role in human physiology. Vitamin D plays an important role in absorption of calcium. Indian diet generally fails to fulfill the daily requirement of Vitamin D for a normal adult. 

• Deficiency of vitamin D causes osteoporosis in elderly leading to fractures and frequent falls. 

• Indian population, with largely vegetarian food habit, is more prone to harbor deficiency of vitamin B12. The Indian population has a prevalence rate of 47% for vitamin B12 deficiency. Vitamin B12 deficiency can cause several health issues ranging from anemia and neurological issues.

• Both Vitamin D and Vitamin B12 are slightly less sought-after tests but very important to include in women health checks as they are easily treatable.

In conclusion, regular women's health check-ups are vital in maintaining good health. Women should consider taking up health check-up packages that include these essential tests to detect any underlying health issues and receive appropriate treatment at an early stage.