Medical check up - Do it!

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LancelotSA

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Hey guys,

After reading the urologist thread I thought I'd start a thread as a "public service" pointing out the benefits of getting regular medical check ups done. Especially us guys! Women tend to get their regular check ups but us guys usually don't.

Now I am no doctor and I am as guilty as the next man for not having a regular check up. In fact a week ago was the first time I had ever had one done. It was actually the first time I had been to a doctor in 20 years! I realised that I was no longer young and should really get these things checked.

Now the main reason for this thread is to point out how ridiculously cheap these tests are. Well maybe not ridiculously cheap but certainly cheaper than I had expected. I went to a local Medicross and the doctor did a basic "physical" in which he checked my lungs etc with a stethoscope, took my blood pressure, checked my pulse, and did various other things which I was not even sure what he was doing and this cost me the price of a consult which was R215. I then had a resting ECG done at R117.80 and a cholesterol test at R32.40. He also suggested Thyroid be done which was a little more costly at R366 for the two necessary tests. I had previously had my blood sugar done at the local pharmacy on a day when they were doing it for free but apparently it is normally only about R30.

Now those prices for cholesterol and blood sugar are really not going to break the bank, yet I know many people, like myself before this, who have never had them done.

Ignoring these possible dangers is not going to make them go away. So go and get those blood tests done ASAP! ;)
 
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feo

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Are any of these tests intrusive? i.e. do they stick needles in you? :sick:
 
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undesign

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feo said:
Are any of these tests intrusive? i.e. do they stick needles in you? :sick:
Click to expand...

Intrusive yes, needles no :D;)

Hint: the loud snap you hear is the doctor's gloves

edit/ :erm: sorry, see you beat me to it Alan
 
blunomore

blunomore

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LancelotSA said:
Hey guys,

After reading the urologist thread I thought I'd start a thread as a "public service" pointing out the benefits of getting regular medical check ups done. Especially us guys! Women tend to get their regular check ups but us guys usually don't.

Now I am no doctor and I am as guilty as the next man for not having a regular check up. In fact a week ago was the first time I had ever had one done. It was actually the first time I had been to a doctor in 20 years! I realised that I was no longer young and should really get these things checked.

Now the main reason for this thread is to point out how ridiculously cheap these tests are. Well maybe not ridiculously cheap but certainly cheaper than I had expected. I went to a local Medicross and the doctor did a basic "physical" in which he checked my lungs etc with a stethoscope, took my blood pressure, checked my pulse, and did various other things which I was not even sure what he was doing and this cost me the price of a consult which was R215. I then had a resting ECG done at R117.80 and a cholesterol test at R32.40. He also suggested Thyroid be done which was a little more costly at R366 for the two necessary tests. I had previously had my blood sugar done at the local pharmacy on a day when they were doing it for free but apparently it is normally only about R30.

Now those prices for cholesterol and blood sugar are really not going to break the bank, yet I know many people, like myself before this, who have never had them done.

Ignoring these possible dangers is not going to make them go away. So go and get those blood tests done ASAP! ;)
Click to expand...


A lot of people cannot afford those prices, Lancelot.

Lots of people only get checkups when it is required for insurance purposes.
 
waynegohl

waynegohl

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then i can commit crimes left right and centre and get off scott free, hmmmm not bad hey?
 
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LancelotSA

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blunomore said:
A lot of people cannot afford those prices, Lancelot.

Lots of people only get checkups when it is required for insurance purposes.
Click to expand...

The trouble is for most people the insurance tests will only be HIV and COTS (if you are a non smoker). If you are "lucky" you might get asked for RBS (sugar) and RBSC (cholesterol).

I mentioned the ECG and all but don't tell me anyone who is reading this on here can't afford about R50 for a blood sugar and cholesterol test at their local pharmacy or medicross?!?!

And I'll add to this that the cost of some computer components I have seen being bought on here most people here can afford a full checkup!


For those asking if they are intrusive. The blood sugar and cholesterol involved a tiny little pin prick to your finger. The drop of blood is swabbed and put in a machine which gives a reading in about a minute. The ECG involved electrodes (those pad things) being placed on my chest and me hooked to the machine for a little while. The thyroid blood tests involved blood being taken so that was a needle in the arm.
 
blunomore

blunomore

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LancelotSA said:
The trouble is for most people the insurance tests will only be HIV and COTS (if you are a non smoker). If you are "lucky" you might get asked for RBS (sugar) and RBSC (cholesterol).

I mentioned the ECG and all but don't tell me anyone who is reading this on here can't afford about R50 for a blood sugar and cholesterol test at their local pharmacy or medicross?!?!

And I'll add to this that the cost of some computer components I have seen being bought on here most people here can afford a full checkup!


For those asking if they are intrusive. The blood sugar and cholesterol involved a tiny little pin prick to your finger. The drop of blood is swabbed and put in a machine which gives a reading in about a minute. The ECG involved electrodes (those pad things) being placed on my chest and me hooked to the machine for a little while. The thyroid blood tests involved blood being taken so that was a needle in the arm.
Click to expand...

I recently did an ECG for insurance and the nurse went a little crazy with the treadmill. I run in the gym, but nothing like the speeds she set it to. I was almost run off my feet :D
 
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LancelotSA

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blunomore said:
I recently did an ECG for insurance and the nurse went a little crazy with the treadmill. I run in the gym, but nothing like the speeds she set it to. I was almost run off my feet :D
Click to expand...

Ha ha yeah I am actually wanting to go and do the effort ECG. Or perhaps I will take out some cover and mention that I have had some problems with my heart so they send me for it!
 
L

LancelotSA

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Jabberwocky said:
I don't want to know my sugar or cholesterol levels
Ignorance is bliss
Click to expand...

Yeah unfortunately when that cholesterol leads to a heart attack then you probably won't be able to ignore it.

In fact cholesterol was the only thing for me that was slightly elevated (5.4 instead of the recommended under 5 - probably genetic unfortunately) so it has resulted in me looking at eating a little healthier. Rather some extra veggies or a salad every night than a unexpected heart attack.

I've obviously done a bit of research subsequent to these tests. And just a slightly elevated level like mine can increase your chances of a heart attack by 20%!
 
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Byakuya

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I am always afraid of going to a doctor and asking for a full check up. I am more medically enlightened than most and I always fear that that the doctor might think I have Munchausen's!
 
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