From the Guidelines
For adults over 70, I recommend an annual laboratory panel that includes complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), lipid profile, hemoglobin A1C, thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), vitamin B12, vitamin D, and urinalysis. This comprehensive screening helps detect common age-related conditions early, when they're most treatable. The CBC evaluates for anemia, infection, and blood disorders, while the CMP assesses kidney and liver function, electrolyte balance, and glucose levels. Lipid profiles and A1C are crucial for cardiovascular and diabetes risk assessment, particularly important as these conditions become more prevalent with age. TSH screening identifies thyroid dysfunction, which often presents atypically in older adults. Vitamin B12 and D testing helps prevent deficiencies that can lead to neurological problems and bone fragility. A urinalysis can detect early signs of kidney disease or urinary tract infections, which are common and potentially serious in older adults. These tests should be adjusted based on individual health history, medications, and symptoms, with more frequent testing if abnormalities are detected or if the patient has chronic conditions requiring monitoring 1.
Some key points to consider:
- The optimal intervals for cardiovascular risk assessment are uncertain, but reasonable options include annual assessment of blood pressure and measurement of lipid levels every 5 years 1.
- The American Cancer Society recommends various cancer screenings, including breast, cervical, colorectal, and prostate cancer screenings, but these are not directly related to the question of annual lab tests for adults over 70 1.
- It's essential to prioritize individual health history, medications, and symptoms when determining the frequency and components of laboratory tests 1.
Overall, the goal of annual laboratory testing for adults over 70 is to detect and manage common age-related conditions, improving morbidity, mortality, and quality of life.
From the Research
Annual Lab Tests for Individuals Over 70
- The complete blood count (CBC) is a frequently ordered laboratory test that can aid in understanding various medical conditions, including hematologic disorders and other medical problems 2.
- CBC components, such as white blood cell count, hemoglobin, and platelet count, can be useful markers to predict cardiovascular disease (CVD) and metabolic diseases, including type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome 3.
- Regular CBC tests can provide important pathophysiological evidence to inform patient care and produce the best patient outcomes, especially in older adults 4.
- Considering the usefulness of CBC in assessing cardiovascular and metabolic diseases, it is recommended that individuals over 70 undergo annual lab tests, including CBC, to monitor their health and detect potential health issues early 3.
- Healthcare professionals can use the results of these tests to recognize findings that can inform their plan of care and make informed decisions about patient treatment 4.