Medicine and Drugs: Common Medical Tests

Blood Pressure

To test for hypertension

Blood pressure is measured with a rubber cuff wrapped around your upper arm. The cuff is inflated to measure blood pressure.

To ensure accuracy, try to avoid caffeine, nicotine, and certain medications (such as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and cold medications) before being tested.

The American Heart Association recommends getting blood pressure checked at least every two years.

Bone Mineral Density Test

To test for osteoporosis

A scanner uses a small amount of radiation to measure bone density.

Bone density can be measured at the spine, hip, wrist, or heel. Your doctor will determine the best test for you.

Breast Self-Exam

To screen for breast cancer

Feel for any unusual lumps, dimpling, or thickening and look for discharge from the nipple or any other abnormalities.

The American Cancer Society recommends monthly self-exams for women 20 and older. The best time to examine your breasts is about a week after your period begins, or if you have reached menopause, choose the same time to do it each month.

Clinical Breast Exam

To screen for breast cancer

The doctor palpates the breasts to check for any unusual lumps, dimpling, or thickening, and looks for discharge from the nipple or any other abnormalities.

The American Cancer Society recommends a clinical breast exam every three years for women age 20–39 and every year for women 40 and older.

Cholesterol

To test for hypercholesterolemia, which poses an increased risk of coronary heart disease

The test requires a quick blood sample drawn from your finger or arm.

Avoid any medications that influence cholesterol levels prior to testing. (Ask your doctor for a list of such medications.) An overnight fast is required if testing for a full lipid profile.

According to the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, adults age 20 and older should have both their total and HDL cholesterol measured at least once every five years.

Colorectal Cancer

To screen for colorectal cancer

Sigmoidoscopy: a soft, bendable tube the thickness of the index finger is gently inserted into the rectal opening and advanced into the rectum and the lower colon to examine their linings.
Colonoscopy: a visual exam of the interior lining of the large intestine using a colonoscope, a flexible fiberoptic tube.

Thorough cleansing of the bowel is mandatory. Your health care provider may ask you to abstain from all solid foods 2 or 3 days before the test, ingest laxatives, or have an enema.

The American Cancer Society recommends men and women age 50 and older follow this schedule for colorectal cancer testing: sigmoidoscopy every five years, or colonoscopy every ten years, or double contrast barium enema every five to ten years.

Digital Rectal Exam

To test for colorectal cancer

The doctor inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to feel for any type of growth or abnormality.

The American Cancer Society recommends men and women age 50 and older have a digital rectal exam with their chosen colorectal exam schedule (see above).

Dental Exam

To screen for tooth decay and gum disease

Your dentist performs a visual examination of your teeth and gums.

Eye Exam

To test general eye health, including tests for glaucoma, macular degeneration, cataracts, and diabetic retinopathy

Your ophthalmologist may have you read letters at a distance, examine your retinas with special viewing machinery, and measure your eyeball’s elasticity with a puff of compressed air.

The American Academy of Ophthalmology recommends the following schedule for eye exams. Under 40: a single comprehensive exam if your vision is normal; every three to five years for African Americans and others at higher risk for glaucoma. Ages 40–64: every two to four years, even if you have no symptoms. Age 65 and older: every one to two years, even if you have no symptoms.

Fasting Plasma Glucose

To test for diabetes

A blood sample is taken after an eight-hour overnight fast.

The American Diabetes Association recommends that all adults over 45 get tested for Type II (adult onset) diabetes every three years.

Fecal Occult Blood

To screen for colorectal cancer

You will collect stool samples for three days in a row before the test, or your doctor will collect a sample during a rectal exam.

Eat a high-fiber diet for 48 to 72 hours before the test. Avoid red meat, poultry, aspirin, large amounts of vitamin C, iron supplements, and certain fruits and vegetables (get a complete list from your doctor), all of which can interfere with test results. You may also need to stop certain medications for two days prior to the test.

The American Cancer Society recommends yearly testing for men and women age 50 and older.

FSH (folliclestimulating hormone)

To screen for ovarian failure, which leads to menopause

A blood sample is taken and tested by your doctor.

HIV Test

To screen for human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibodies

A blood sample is taken and tested by your doctor.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends HIV testing if: *You have used intravenous drugs or had a partner who did; *You have had another sexually transmitted disease; *You have had unprotected sex with anyone whose HIV status you weren’t sure of; *You are pregnant or plan to conceive.

Mammogram

To screen for breast cancer and non-cancerous breast disease

A low-dose x-ray of the breast is taken and examined by your doctor.

On the day of your mammogram, do not wear any powder, cream, or deodorant on your upper body.

Most experts recommend annual mammograms for women 40 and over.

Pap Test

To screen for cervical cancer

The doctor inserts a speculum into the vagina and collects a tissue sample from the cervix. The procedure takes five to ten minutes and can be done during a pelvic exam.

For the greatest accuracy, have the test done 12 to 14 days after the first day of your period. If you douche within 24 hours before the test, or are menstruating, the results may be distorted.

The College of American Pathologists recommends that women who are sexually active or who have reached 18 years of age get annual Pap tests.

Pelvic Exam

To screen for cervical and ovarian cancers and precancerous cells

The physician performs a speculum exam to view the vagina and cervix. A bimanual is also performed to check the uterus and ovaries for any palpable mass. Pap tests are often performed during a pelvic exam.

The American Cancer Society recommends annual pelvic exams for women 18 and older, and for younger women who are sexually active.

PSA

To screen for prostate cancer with a prostate-specific antigen (PSA)

A blood sample is taken and tested by your doctor.

The sample is collected in the morning, if possible.

The American Cancer Society recommends that the PSA test be offered annually, beginning at age 50, to men who have at least a 10-year life expectancy.

Skin Self-Exam

To screen for skin cancer

Look for any changes in moles or freckles, as well as any new spots that are asymmetrical, more than one color, the size of a pencil eraser or larger, or have uneven borders.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends self-exams every month.

Clinical Skin Exam

To screen for skin cancer

The doctor will examine your entire body, including back, buttocks, genitals, soles of the feet, scalp, and underarms.

The American Academy of Dermatology recommends yearly skin exams by a dermatologist.

Testicular Self-Exam

To screen for testicular cancer

Look for any change in the size, shape, or consistency of the testes, as well as any hard lumps or smooth, rounded masses, which might feel like a grain of uncooked rice or a hard pea.

Testicular cancer often produces no symptoms, so many doctors recommend monthly self-exams.

Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

To test for hypothyroidism and hyperthyroidism

A blood sample is taken and tested by your doctor.

The American College of Obstetrics and Gynecology recommends that women 65 and older get tested every three to five years.