Going to the doc next week, for a check-up, besides the general blood work, are there any other test related to the blood work I should ask for? Thanks
I’d get a thyroid panel just to check up on it. TSH & Free t3. Liver function tests can be helpful to make sure you don’t have a congested liver. That can effect you cholesterol levels and your ability to break down protiens & sugars. Perhaps c-reactive protein to measure general inflamation. Cholesterol would be nice to know since mine tends to get out of whack easily. Gluten sensitivity tests are available too. I will be getting that in a few weeks myself, I have always felt a little more energy when I’m off gluten so I’m curious to know what my sensitity level is. My doctor is cool and will check whatever box I ask for on the lab forms.
Ah, shouldn’t you discuss this with him/her? Why on earth would one get a CRP (C-reactive protein) when that is such a general marker for inflammation that you now chase your tail looking for a cause?
Why not just get a Lyme disease titer since you likely run trails? How about an HIV screen?
Your PCP has guidelines they go by based on your age, sex, ethnicity, activity level and family history. I’d trust their judgement 
How can we trust your advice? You doctors always stick together.
-Jot
What karma suggests seems like a lot of waste. Unless there are symptoms or the screening is otherwise indicated by age, family history, past medical history, or other justifiable reasons, it is just making money for the lab. I agree that it is appropriate to discuss whether certain tests may or may not be suitable for an individual, but going to the doctor should not be like ordering off a menu.
It depends on your age…
(snip)
Cholesterol would be nice to know…
(snip).
Pardon the slight thread hijack here, but… Last year, my annual checkup showed that it was time to start paying attention to my cholesterol level. I’m a numbers guy, and I think that “what gets measured, gets managed”, so I started to look for the easiest/cheapest way to track my cholesterol. After doing some research, I discovered that home testing of cholesterol is now a viable option.
The cholesterol monitor I purchased was just under US$100.00. The monitor can test total Cholesterol, HDL Cholesterol, or Triglycerides (depends which test strip you use). LDL can be estimated after you know the other three with the formula LDL = Total - HDL - (Triglycerides / 5). The test strips are US$4.00 each, so it costs $12.00 to get a full panel. The cost of the equipment and test strips is FSA-eligible.
When I think about the benefit/cost ratio for the things I’ve puchased in the last few years, my blood pressure monitor and cholesterol monitor have to right at the top of the list… Waaaaaay more than any piece of gear I’ve purchased for triathlons :-).