Health check referral – self care

I wrote last week about how I try to keep myself fit and care for my health in my 50’s. As part of this I self referred myself to my GP practice for a health check. I am aware that I am a middle aged, menopausal and overweight.

My father died at the age of 53 when I was only 15, of Coronary Heart Disease and the same thing happened to his brother, my uncle at a similar age. This obviously puts me at risk of Heart Disease.

With this in mind and my current health kick of regular gym sessions I decided to refer myself for a check up with a member of the Nursing Team at my GP practice.

In this consultation I was asked a series of questions from a computer screening programme about lifestyle, exercise, alcohol etc. My Blood Pressure reading was recorded and bloods obtained for baseline measurements checking my liver, kidneys, thyroid, Cholesterol and screening for Diabetes.

My Blood Pressure was borderline high and I have to have it rechecked in about a month.

I received my blood results a week later and all were acceptable apart from one result from my Liver Functions tests! Maybe a sign of too much high living in retirement. I am partial to G&T’s, wine and Prosecco. I have an appointment to have this blood repeated in a couple of weeks.

So in summary all is not bad, I worried about my cholesterol and of developing Type 2 Diabetes. It is a relief that these appear satisfactory. My Liver Function test results were mildly elevated in the past and a previous GP referred me for a Liver scan which thankfully was normal. I am obviously hoping for a similar outcome. I will. however, monitor my alcohol intake and curb my intake. Before retirement I drank little alcohol due to shift work and other factors. It is since retirement that my intake has increased. It is still a lot less than some of my friends and peers but I must have a sensitivity more than them perhaps.

Converselyh there are many people who do not self refer for health checks, they don’t think it necessary as long as they feel well, I however like to know about the hidden things I cannot see or feel that affect my physical well being

Watch this space and I will update when more results are available. What is your approach to your health – are you like me and take a proactive approach or do you prefer not to know and get health checks only when you feel unwell.

Let me know what you do or if you have experienced a similar situation – I’d love to see  your comments or you can contact me by email.