| This is SO well done. So, so impressive. A side question, for any doctors on HN-- I'm really curious, what do you think about the Blood Tests section? That is, the benefits of monthly blood testing. From talking to one earlier today about related topics (coincidentally!) I could imagine the following response: 1. The ideal ranges for each value on your blood test do not necessarily represent the ideal range for you personally -- and not only do they not necessarily represent the ideal range for you, if your number is outside them and you're otherwise asymptomatic, your number is likely already "healthy" (with very few major exceptions like blood pressure and cholesterol.) 2. So by doing this, you aren't actually tracking things that need to be improved, or rather, you have no way of knowing if you'd be "more healthy" by being within range 3. So, getting monthly blood tests is useless, and any changes detected would also be useless 4. (And as an aside, annual physicals for young healthy people are not beneficial (and can be harmful) to health) Is this right? Was I just talking to a curmudgeon? Tech-optimistic doctors, what do you think? |
The thing to remember about lab tests is that the "normals" are based on bell curves so approximately 1 out of 20 labs will be abnormal from this phenomena alone. The more labs you get, the more false abnormals you get. If each false abnormal gets worked up, you are talking a lot of additional testing and worry.
Typical recommendations to test hypercholesterolemia is every 90 days at most if actively treating and then yearly once stable.
To your aside, I think annual physicals are probably overkill, but primary care doctors are now expertly trained in screening for multiple issues that could affect young healthy folks. Seeing your PCP for a "well-person" visit every few years is a good idea. Most of the time the doctor isn't going to order labs and will just chat a bit, do a physical exam, and get you on your way. A good doctor will have informed opinions about your exercise and diet regimen, for example.