We’re at the halfway point of 2024 – can you believe it? It feels like each year gets faster, as life gets busier. As we prepare to take on the second half of the year, now is a good time to reflect on the first half. Did you meet your goals? What are you most proud of? What can you do better? Many people’s New Year’s resolutions have fizzled by now, and if that’s you, you aren’t alone! According to one survey, of the 38% of Americans who make resolutions, only 9% are successful in keeping them.
Now, while that can be quite a discouraging number, there are a few reasons why, despite this, it’s considered a good thing to set New Year’s resolutions. Having resolutions sets intention with how you want to grow and develop in the coming year, it sets a tone of hopefulness and optimism, and you can start the year with a fresh sense of responsibility that hopefully flows in the months to come. It’s inherently a positive thing to strive for and has encouraging effects for yourself and those around you.
Statistically, taking strides in your health is one of the most popular resolutions. A recent survey found that more than half of Americans wanted to be healthier – 59% wanted to exercise more, 54% said they would eat healthier, and 48% resolved to lose weight. Each month, our blog highlights different health topics that may impact your life and provides relevant tests to consider.
Cholesterol (Lipids) Panel
This month, we want to emphasize the importance of cholesterol testing with our Cholesterol (Lipid) Panel®. The Lipids Panel can determine your cholesterol levels, which is important because this can indicate if you’re at risk for heart disease or any other heart issues.
According to the CDC, nearly 94 million United States adults, 20 or older, have high cholesterol.
Your body needs cholesterol to build healthy cells, but high levels can increase your risk of heart disease. With high cholesterol, you can develop fatty deposits in your blood vessels. This makes it difficult for blood to flow through your arteries and can cause a heart attack or stroke.
There are no symptoms. A blood test is the only way to know if you have high cholesterol which is why it’s important to regularly monitor your levels.
With the Cholesterol (Lipid) Panel®, you’ll have your test results between 24 to 72 business hours. It’s recommended you fast before the test to ensure it’s accurate. Once you have your results, we encourage you to talk with your primary physician about the next steps.
Take Back Your Health
The overproduction of cholesterol can come from a variety of reasons. A lot of times, an unhealthy lifestyle is a huge contributor. Some things to keep in mind are:
- Unhealthy diet
- Lack of physical activity
- Smoking or exposure to tobacco smoke
- Family history of high cholesterol
To be 100% sure of your cholesterol status, start with one simple blood test at any of our neighborhood Any Lab Test Now® locations.
Renal Function Panel
Now is a great time to double down on your kidney health. Our Renal Function Panel® is a group of tests used to evaluate kidney function. According to the Mayo Clinic, some signs to look for if you think you’re experiencing kidney issues are:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Loss of appetite
- Fatigue and weakness
- Trouble sleeping
- Urinating more or less
- Decreased mental sharpness
- Muscle cramps
- Swelling
- Dry, itchy skin
The signs and symptoms of kidney issues are often nonspecific and could also be the source of a different issue altogether. However, it’s worth getting tested; simply because the damage from leaving your affected kidneys untreated can be irreversible.
For this test, fasting for about eight hours prior to the blood draw is preferred. Your results will be ready between 24 to 72 business hours after the test.
Hepatic Function Panel
For this comprehensive panel, the Liver Function Panel®, or Hepatic Function®, measures the blood levels of seven tests that see how well your liver is working.
This test is also encouraged if you’ve been exposed to the hepatitis A, B, or C virus. High or low levels in one of the seven tests may indicate you have liver damage or liver disease is present.
Some general symptoms, according to Healthline, include:
- Yellow skin (Jaundice)
- Dark urine
- Pale, bloody, or tarlike stool
- Swollen ankles, legs, or abdomen
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Decrease in appetite
- Bruise easily
- Persistent fatigue
- Itchy skin
Something to keep in mind about this test and the Renal Function Panel is that anyone who is regularly taking medications can potentially benefit from these tests, as they’re typically required as a regular testing for anyone taking medication long-term.
Comprehensive Metabolic Panel
The perfect test to have performed as a mid-year checkup is the Comprehensive Metabolic Panel®. This includes 15 essential tests that are typically part of a routine checkup or annual physical. It gives your doctor an overall picture of your health.
Annual Check-Up Panel
If you want to take it a step further, we recommend the Annual Check-Up Panel. It includes the Lipid Panel and Comprehensive Metabolic Panel(CMP) mentioned above, as well as a Complete Blood Count (CBC), Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH).
Any Lab Test Now® is Your Resource for Improved Health
Any Lab Test Now® provides thousands of tests available to you as our commitment to being your partner in health. We are here to help you and your family achieve your health and wellness goals. You can walk in for same-day testing during convenient work-friendly hours or call now to schedule an appointment at a location near you.
