At the Request of Some Members I Asked My GP Why He Organizes Routine Blood Tests and What

At the request of some members I asked my GP why he organizes routine blood tests and what they are for. My GP is an Ex RAAF Medical Officer who spent most of his time in RAAF Fairbairn. There he was responsible to ensure that aircrew and particularly VIP Aircrew where always medically fit to do their duties. He devised a combination of simple blood tests that would indicate early any probable medical conditions. He has now put those same tests into his private practice and especially for patients over 4o years old. These tests are routinely done on an annual basis unless results indicate a more frequent monitoring is required. Below are the tests, and an explanation of why and what they can show.

It may seem that these tests would require a large amount of blood and time for the patient, but exactly the opposite is the case. I find that the actual blood taking is usually only two small “syringes” and takes less than two minutes. The urine test is as simple as literally peeing a small amount into the sterilized container given to you.

If you feel that these tests may be appropriate and of benefit to you, please feel free to take a copy of this to your own local GP and discuss it. Incidentally I have never been asked to make any payment in relation to these tests, they simply take my Medicare or DVA details.

FBE.The FBE test looks for abnormalities in the blood, such as unusually high or low numbers of blood cells. Blood cells include red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets.
ESR.An ESR test is a blood test that helps your doctor determine if you're experiencing inflammation.
U&E’sU&E and EUC are commonly used abbreviations of urea and electrolytes and are ordered when assessing kidney (renal) function.
LFT’sLiver functions tests are used to screen for, detect, evaluate and monitor liver inflammation and damage.
GLUCA blood glucose test measures the amount of glucose, or sugar, in your bloodstream. It’s most often used to screen for diabetes.
HbA1c.Blood HbA1c levels are reflective of how well diabetes is controlled.
TSH, T4A thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) blood test is used to check for thyroid gland problems.
PSA.The PSA test is a blood test used primarily to screen for prostate cancer.
CRP.A C-reactive protein (CRP) test can help doctors determine your risk for heart disease or stroke.
MSU.The midstream specimen of urine, or MSU, test is used to determine if someone has an infection.
M/C/S.MCS is a chronic condition with the patient usually experiencing some level of unwellness all the time.
MICROABUMIN.A microalbumin test is used to detect early signs of kidney damage in people who are at risk of developing kidney disease.
SE CA2+.A blood calcium test is ordered to screen for, diagnose, and monitor a range of conditions relating to the bones, heart, nerves, kidneys.
PO4+.Phosphorus tests are most often ordered along with other tests, such as those for calcium, parathyroid hormone (PTH), and/or vitamin D, to help diagnose and/or monitor treatment of various conditions that cause calcium and phosphorus imbalances.
RBC FOLATE.B12 and folate levels may be ordered when a complete blood count (CBC) and/or blood smear, done as part of a health checkup or an evaluation for anemia, indicates a low red blood cell (RBC) count with the presence of large RBCs. Specifically, a high mean corpuscular volume (MCV) indicates that the RBCs are enlarged.
VITAMIN D.A vitamin D test is a simple blood test that measures a form of vitamin D in the blood
FE.An iron test checks the amount of iron in the blood to see how well iron is metabolized in the body.