Top 7 blood tests that MUST be taken by anyone above fifty [ 50yrs ] years old.

Middle age can bring about myriad aches and pains. But what if those niggles are a sign of something more sinister?

The good news is that these days there is likely to be a test to give you an early warning of potential problems – from a cholesterol test that calculates the risk of heart attack or stroke, to the test pinpointing a common vitamin deficiency that can leave you feeling exhausted

We spoke to the experts about the seven essential blood tests that no one over 50 can afford to ignore. ‘While not all apply to everyone, many are simple, can be done in minutes and could save your life,’ says The Mail on Sunday’s resident GP columnist Dr Ellie Cannon.

1. THE CHOLESTEROL TEST

WHY DO I NEED IT? ‘Seven million people in the UK are suffering from cardiovascular disease, and cholesterol levels can be a red flag,’ says Linda Main, a dietetic adviser for the charity Heart UK. ‘Getting tested and treated could make all the difference in preventing a heart attack or stroke.’

Cholesterol-testing is already part of the NHS Health Check, the midlife ‘MOT’ for adults aged 40 to 64. Along with blood pressure and body mass index checks, testing levels of cholesterol in the blood helps give an overall score of the risk of heart attack or stroke.

Seven million in the UK are suffering from cardiovascular disease, and cholesterol levels can be a red flag

Testing involves a sample of blood being taken from the arm and sent to a lab. Results are produced in seven to ten days. Increasingly, GPs are able to give an instant result with a device using a sample taken from a finger-prick test.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: Statins, which block the enzyme in your liver that helps to make cholesterol, may be prescribed. Low doses of aspirin may also be advised to prevent blood clots forming in people at high risk of developing cardiovascular disease.

You may also be advised to have periodic blood tests to ensure your liver is functioning well.

2. THE DIABETES TEST

WHY DO I NEED IT? Feeling constantly thirsty, tired all the time and needing the toilet more, especially at night?

You could be one of an estimated 750,000 people in the UK with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes.

Being over 40 increases your chances of developing the condition, along with being overweight, smoking and physical inactivity. 

Type 2 diabetes can make you five times more likely to have a stroke or heart attack, and can damage the blood vessels, nerves and organs. 

There are an estimated 750,000 people in the UK with undiagnosed type 2 diabetes with symptoms which can include feeling constantly thirsty, tired all the time and needing the toilet more

‘Along with cholesterol-testing, diabetes- testing is one of the two universal tests the over-50s would benefit from because of the prevalence of the condition,’ says Dr Ellie.

If you are found to be at risk of type 2 diabetes, you will be offered further tests to check the level of sugar in your blood (either a ‘finger-prick’ test or a blood sample). If your blood sugar is high, you will then have further tests to establish whether you have diabetes.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: You may be prescribed tablets and/or injectable medication to help the body respond better to insulin. Metformin is one of the most commonly prescribed drugs.

3. THE GOUT TEST

WHY DO I NEED IT? Gout is caused by a build-up of a substance called uric acid in the blood, with sufferers experiencing attacks of severe pain and swelling of joints. Gout can cause joint damage if left untreated, and surgery may be required to repair or replace a damaged joint in serious cases.

‘Pain and swelling around the joints – especially the big toe – that comes and goes is a classic symptom of gout,’ adds Dr Ellie.

‘Gout mainly affects the over-30s and women after the menopause. If you have these symptoms, your GP may perform a test called a serum uric acid test, which measures the amount of uric acid in the blood.’

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are usually the first line treatment for gout to reduce pain and inflammation. Medication to reduce uric acid levels is usually recommended for patients who have recurrent attacks.

4. THE VITAMIN D TEST

WHY DO I NEED IT? About half of adults worldwide are thought to be deficient in Vitamin D,

Low levels can contribute to the development of osteoporosis and fractures, while some human studies have found people with low levels are more likely to develop dementia.

‘Many people have no symptoms, but signs can include muscle weakness and bone pain,’ adds Dr Ellie.

Risk factors include having a BMI of 30 or over. Kidney stones and coeliac disease may also be grounds for testing.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: If a blood test reveals that your levels are low, you may be advised to take supplements containing 10 micrograms (0.01mg) a day. Other good sources of Vitamin D include oily fish, eggs, and fortified cereals.

5. THE THYROID TEST

WHY DO I NEED IT? Women in their 50s and 60s are more susceptible to an underactive thyroid, a condition where the thyroid gland doesn’t produce enough hormones. Common signs include tiredness, weight gain and feeling depressed.

‘Thyroid problems are more common among women, so if I had a female patient coming in complaining of unexplained tiredness, one of the first things I would look at is how her thyroid was functioning,’ adds Dr Ellie.

Women in their 50s and 60s are more susceptible to an under-active thyroid - common signs include tiredness, weight gain and feeling depressed

A blood test measuring hormone levels is the only accurate way to find out whether there’s a problem. A thyroid-function test looks at levels of the thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and thyroxine (T4) in the blood.

A high level of TSH and a low level of T4 indicates an underactive thyroid.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: An underactive thyroid is usually treated by daily hormone-replacement tablets called levothyroxine. An an annual blood test monitors hormone levels.

6. THE B12 TEST

WHY DO I NEED IT? Vitamin B12 is vital in the production of healthy red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body, and brain health. 

But as we age, the body becomes less able to absorb it. Symptoms of a B12 deficiency include fatigue, loss of appetite and headaches.

Vitamin B12 is vital in the production of healthy red blood cells that carry oxygen around the body, and brain health - a blood test can determine the levels of B12 in your blood

The most common cause of Vitamin B12 deficiency is pernicious anaemia, an autoimmune condition caused by a lack of a protein needed to absorb the vitamin from food into the body. This condition is more common in women over 60. 

‘Like thyroid tests, I’d definitely look for B12 levels in menopausal women who may be feeling tired,’ adds Dr Ellie.

A blood test can determine the levels of B12 in your blood

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: Vitamin B12 deficiency anaemia is usually treated with injections of Vitamin B12 given by a GP or nurse.

7. THE SEXUAL HEALTH TESTS

WHY DO I NEED IT? Sex doesn’t stop at 50. A Saga survey of 8,000 over-50s revealed nearly half of them have sex once a week. And soaring rates of older people are at risk of sexually transmitted infections. 

Figures from Public Health England show 27,540 people aged 45 to 64 were diagnosed with a new STI in England in 2014, up from 25,764 in 2012.

‘If you’re in a new sexual relationship or have started dating again, do the sensible thing and consider getting tested,’ says Natika Halil, chief executive of the FPA, formerly the Family Planning Association. ‘Sexually transmitted infections don’t discriminate between age.’

Your local sexual health or genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic will offer testing for all STIs. HIV and syphillis testing involves a blood test, while gonorrhea, chlamydia and herpes will involve either a swab or urine sample.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT: You may be able to get results, and treatment if needed, on the same day, while other tests may take up to two weeks.

If you test positive for an STI, you will be asked to go back to the clinic to talk about your results and the treatment you need. Many STIs can be cured with antibiotics.

Credits: DailyMaily.

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