Knowing what health tests to go for and when, can be a hard thing to keep on top of. Skip the guess work with this guide that takes you through all the steps to keep you in tip top shape at any age...
Under 20...
Iron Test Iron is one of the most common deficiencies in women as we need more of it due to blood lose during periods. Lack of iron will leave you feeling tired, irritable and unable to concentrate so make sure you get check out if you’re getting enough of it. Head along to your doctor for a simple blood test which will be able to determine the amount of iron in your system. Generally women aged 12-18 should have a daily iron intake of about 10-13mg and women aged 19-54, should have around 12-16mg. You can also pick up some iron supplement tablets and Vitamin C tablets, which will help with iron absorption from Radius Pharmacy.
Zinc Test With winter just around the corner, it’s important to test your immune system with a simple zinc test. Responsible for both the effectiveness of our immune systems as well as our sense of taste, this is an easy test to do and the benefits are huge. The best thing about this test is you can do it free at any Radius Pharmacy. All this test involves is holding a teaspoon of Zinc Sulphate solution in your mouth for 10 seconds then your sense of taste is graded. If the solution tastes strong and better your zinc levels are fine. If it tastes either slightly metallic or has no taste at all then it is recommended you start supplementation with products such as Thompson’s Organic Zinc
Smear Test Regular smear tests are possibly one of the biggest favours you can do yourself. You should have one of these babies every three years between the ages of 20-70 to monitor for any abnormal cells that may cause cervical cancer. This is one of the most preventable forms of cancer so suck it up because regular smear tests can reduce the chances of you getting a cancer invasion of your nether regions by 90%.
While this may be a little bit of an uncomfortable procedure, it only takes five minutes and despite the rumours, isn’t painful. This procedure can be done at any health clinics including Family Planning which means if you’re under 22 it’s free, $5 with a community services card or $22.50 without. Click here for more information.
Blood Pressure High blood pressure affects one in five New Zealanders so it is important to get it checked! This is a simple procedure that can be performed by your family Doctor. The blood pressure is usually measured from the arm. A cuff is placed around the upper arm with a stethoscope inside which listens to the flow of the blood. The cuff is inflated to briefly stop the blood flow in the arm and when it’s released again all is back to normal!
BMI While jumping on the scales is never fun, making sure you’re maintaining a healthy weight will help prevent a number of diseases later in life. Calculating if you’re within a healthy range is also a breeze - simply divide your weight in kilograms by your height in metres squared (or click here for a site that will work it out for you). A normal weight will give you a figure of 18.5 - 24.9, with underweight being below 18.5, overweight 25.9 - 29.9 and obese 30 plus.
If you’re having problems with your weight, you can then put a programme in place to help with management. Radius Pharmacy offers a scientific but realistic programme called ‘Celebrity Slim’ to help you towards your weight lose goal.
Skin Mole Check If a mole changes colour, size or shape, or if a new one grows during adulthood then you should get it checked out because it might be melanoma. Have a self check every month to keep on top of it and remember, if in doubt check it out! Help prevent such cancerous growths by slip-slop-slapping with high performance sun screens such as Piz Buin and if you’re after a tan kill two birds with one stone by giving a moisturising tanning lotion, such as Johson's Holiday Skin, a go.
Mammogram Mammograms will help show changes in your boobs early for the best protection against the devastating effects of breast cancer. The procedure involves a quick x-ray of your breasts and should be done once every two years. For women aged 45-69 you may be eligible for a free check-up so click here for more information.
Heart Check including Cholesterol As you head towards turning 45, you may need a risk assessment to determine the likelihood you will suffer from heart attacks and strokes. A number of health details are needed to complete this assessment such as your blood pressure and cholesterol levels, which you’ll need to visit your doctor for, as well as lifestyle details. A chart of the necessary information is available here
nder 20...
With winter just around the corner, it’s important to test your immune system with a simple zinc test. Responsible for both the effectiveness of our immune systems as well as our sense of taste, this is an easy test to do and the benefits are huge. The best thing about this test is you can do it free at any Radius Pharmacy. All this test involves is holding a teaspoon of Zinc Sulphate solution in your mouth for 10 seconds then your sense of taste is graded. If the solution tastes strong and better your zinc levels are fine. If it tastes either slightly metallic or has no taste at all then it is recommended you start supplementation with products such .jpg)
Blood Pressure 
Skin Mole Check
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