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- Checkup checklist
Checkup checklist
Last reviewed: September 2009
Keeping track of the preventive care you need can be complicated. Some things, such as blood pressure, should be measured at least once a year; other tests, such as colonoscopy, can be done once a decade. Bring the table below to your next doctor's appointment to discuss the tests we suggest. And use the table's last column to help you stay on schedule.
| Test or procedure | To detect or prevent | How often | Done on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Physical exam | |||
| Abdomen | Enlarged liver or spleen, aortic aneurysm. | Every few years, especially in men after 50. | |
| Breasts | Breast cancer. | Every 1 to 2 years, beginning at age 40 in women. | |
| Heart | Murmur, irregular heartbeat. | Every visit. | |
| Height and weight | Obesity; underweight increases risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women. | Every visit. | |
| Neck | Thyroid nodules and clogged carotid arteries. | Every few years, especially after 60. | |
| Pelvic | Cancer and other problems in bladder, ovaries, rectum, uterus, and vagina. | Annually; after age 30 can be every 2 to 3 years if you have only one sexual partner. | |
| Immunizations | |||
| Hepatitis B | Hepatitis B, a liver disease. | Series of three shots in 7 months, by age 20. | |
| Herpes zoster | Shingles. | Once after 60 in those with a history of chicken pox. | |
| Human papillomavirus (HPV) | Virus that can cause genital warts and cervical cancer. | Females 11 to 26; possibly also in those older than 26. | |
| Influenza | The flu. | Annually, starting at age 6 months. | |
| Pneumococcal | Pneumonia. | Once at 65 or earlier in those with impaired immunity. Booster shot after 5 years for those who got first shot before age 65 or are at high risk. | |
| Tetanus, diphtheria | Tetanus and diphtheria. | Every 10 years; adults under age 65 should also get one shot against pertussis. | |
| Varicella | Chicken pox. | Anyone who hasn't had chicken pox. | |
| Screening tests: Definitely or probably needed | |||
| Abdominal ultrasound | Aortic aneurysm. | Once after age 65 in men and possibly women who have ever smoked. | |
| Blood pressure | Hypertension. | Every visit. | |
| Bone densitometry | Osteoporosis. | Every 2 to 3 years after age 65 or earlier in post-menopausal women with risk factors; at least once in men after age 65. | |
| Colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy plus high-sensitivity fecal occult blood test (HS-FOBT) | Colon and rectal cancer. | Starting at age 50, colonoscopy every 10 years; sigmoid-oscopy every 5 years plus HS-FOBT every three; or HS-FOBT annually. | |
| Complete lipid profile | High LDL-cholesterol or triglyceride levels, or low HDL level. | Every 5 years starting at age 35 for men; 45 for women. Screen more often or sooner for people at high risk. | |
| Eye exam | Glaucoma, macular degeneration, and other vision problems. | Every 3 to 5 years before 45 and every 1 to 3 years thereafter. | |
| Fasting plasma glucose | Type 2 diabetes. | Every 3 years starting at age 45. | |
| Mammography | Breast cancer (women). | Every 2 years in your 40s and annually after. | |
| Pap smear and human papillomavirus (HPV) testing | Cervical cancer (Pap smear) and the virus that can cause it (HPV test). | Annual Pap smear; Pap smear alone or with HPV test can be every 2 to 3 years starting at 30 if you have only one sexual partner. Can usually stop after 65 or total hysterectomy. | |
| Thyroid-stimulating | Thyroid disease. | Every 5 years starting at 50. | |
| Transferrin saturation | Iron overload (hemachromatosis). | Once after 18. | |
