At your next doctor’s visit, be sure to bring this vital information.
If you’re seeing a doctor or specialist, you don’t really need to bring a medical history or list of meds. It’s the computer age! They can pull up all the information they need.
In the era of electronic records, your doctor may have too much info and won’t have time to wade through screens of data from every clinic or doctor you’ve ever visited. A good bit of the data they need comes from talking to you.
That’s why it’s important to review and write down your medical history, including the most recent symptoms or reasons that are bringing you to the doctor. As part of your history, make notes about physical or mental changes since your last visit (get a friend or family member to review the list with you, and note changes you’ve overlooked). In addition to your history, do bring a list of all medication names and dosages (including supplements and over-the-counter meds). On this page, we’ve composed a checklist of this and other information to discuss. Fill it out and bring it with you, along with a notebook and pen for writing down the answers you get
Good Health . . . Check
1. Your history should include:
a. Symptoms you’re currently experiencing.
b. Any condition (chronic or otherwise) for which you’re currently getting treatment.
c. Health milestones: Surgeries, major tests and screenings, and medical problems for which you’ve received treatment. Include dates if you can.
d. Any allergies or sensitivities.
e. Medical history of immediate family (including your parents and siblings), noting diseases and, for deceased family members, causes of death.
2. Medications and other consumables:
List all of them and include both frequency and dosage. Include vitamins, supplements, over-the-counter medicines, herbals, homeopathic remedies, alcohol, tobacco, caffeine and even illicit drugs (don’t worry; your doctor is forbidden from sharing your health info).
3. Blood pressure:
Check your blood pressure every time you pass one of those automated cuffs at a pharmacy or supermarket. Aim for at least 10 readings, each on a different day, and record all of them. Also note the time of day you took the reading.
4. Blood tests to discuss:
Over the course of your life, doctors will order lots of blood tests. But these tests might get overlooked, so ask about them.
a. AIC: Also known as hemoglobin A1C, this measurement reflects average blood sugar level over the past two to three months, unlike the spot check of a regular blood glucose test. It’s a better indicator if you have diabetes or pre-diabetes.
b. CRP: This is also called a C-reactive protein or sensitive-CRP test. It checks for systemic inflammation in the body and can help diagnose early heart disease and other issues.
c. Thyroid function: Doctors may not check if you have no family history, but get this done every five years. Wobbly thyroid output can go unnoticed for years and cause exhaustion, mood swings and other vague symptoms.
d. HEA: Dehydroepiandrosterone, sometimes called a male hormone, plays a role in both genders. Low levels can affect immune function, bone density, erectile ability and others.
c. Aspirin resistance: If you’re on an aspirin regimen, some researchers recommend getting checked for aspirin resistance — about 15 to 25 percent of people are not getting the benefit they should from it.
5. Anything Different?
Log any changes you have noticed in your health. Examples:
a. Moles that look different.
b. Changes in energy levels or libido.
c. Mental or emotional changes or mood swings.
d. Changes in urination or stools.
e. Sleep alterations or increased snoring.
f. Tingling or numbness anywhere.
g. Sensory problems (ringing in the ears, strange smells).
h. Anything you can think of that’s not the same; your doctor can tell if it’s significant or not. Let the doctor make the call.
In "Discover Medical Mysteries", UK, Summer 2018, excerpts pp. 59-61. Digitized, adapted and illustrated to be posted by Leopoldo Costa.
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