Taking care of your health at a young age pays dividends in your future, and one of the core aspects of caring for your health is keeping an eye on specific markers and getting the appropriate screenings.

As we age, our bodies change, and these changes come with varying risks for certain health conditions. Staying on top of your health screenings and blood tests can help you get ahead of any potential issues that arise as the years go on.

In this article, we’re going to break down the most important health screenings for men and women as they move through the decades.

Women In Their 20s and 30s

Below are a handful of screenings and blood tests to begin keeping an eye on in your 20s. These tests should carry you through your 30s as a baseline. That said, your doctor may decide to add other screenings if they feel it may be necessary.

Cardiovascular and metabolic health screenings

These tests become particularly important as you enter your 30s and your metabolism naturally begins to change, but getting started early is always a good idea. Cardiovascular and metabolic health are closely related, so keeping an eye on both of these systems is crucial.

For cardiovascular health:

Once a year, check your blood pressure levels, cholesterol levels, and levels of C-reactive protein (a marker that can tell you about inflammation in your body).

For metabolic health:

Keep an eye on your weight, especially as you enter your 30s and your metabolism begins to change. Every one to two years, check your insulin and blood glucose levels to ensure your body is managing blood sugar properly.

Gynecological exam

While you may have had gynecological exams in your teens, once you enter your 20s, you’ll want to make sure you visit your gynecologist at least once a year to check-in. Below are the screenings to be aware of:

Pelvic exam: yearly to check for signs of cancer, growths, and fibroids.

Pap test: conducted every three years to screen for cervical cancer and cellular changes in your cervix area.

Human papillomavirus (HPV) test: every two to five years to test for high-risk forms HPV.

STD tests: As needed depending on sexual activity.

Skin exam

Depending on where you live, you may want to have a full-body skin exam once a year. In warmer clients where there is more skin exposure to the sun, a yearly check in with your dermatologist is recommended. This becomes even more important as you age, but starting in your 20s is a good idea.

Hormonal screenings

Throughout your life, your hormones will shift dramatically, so keeping an eye on your baseline is important. While you can begin looking at hormones even younger, once you hit your mid-20s, you should begin yearly blood tests for:

Thyroid hormones: this includes TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone), T3, and T4. These tests will help you determine if your thyroid is either hypo or hyperactive.

Estrogen and progesterone: these two hormones play a critical role in menstruation and fertility, and when knocked off-balance, they can cause a host of symptoms.

Women In Their 40s

In your 40s, hormones begin to shift as you enter perimenopause, the years leading up to menopause. This is a time to pay extra attention to your hormones and begin screenings such as mammograms and bone density tests.

In addition to the above, you’ll want to add:

Mammogram

After you turn 40, you’ll want a yearly mammogram to test for signs of cancer in your breast tissue. Frequent self-breast exams are also helpful during this time.

Bone density screening

Due to the complex role that hormones play in bone health and the natural bone loss that comes with aging, you’ll want to begin bone density scans (DEXA scans) once every three years in your 40s to get ahead of osteopenia or osteoporosis.

Eye exam

If you’ve reached your 40s without any vision issues, this would be the time to begin screening. In your 40s, vision may slowly begin to change, and many people experience issues with seeing up close. Eye exams should be done every one to two years.

Women In Their 50s

As you move into your 50s, your hormones continue to shift as you go through your menopausal transition. In addition to the above, you’ll want to add:

Bone density screening

In your 50s, you may want to increase your frequency of bone density scanning, depending on where you are in your menopausal transition. If you’ve noticed significant bone loss in your last scan, screening for bone density once a year can be helpful to ensure you stay ahead of osteoporosis.

Colon cancer screening

This is a time in your life when you’ll want to start to pay extra attention to your hard-working digestive organs. Especially your colon.

Fecal occult blood tests: detect blood in stool and can be helpful for showing signs of polyps, ulcers, diverticulitis, and signs of colon cancer.

Colonoscopy: Tests for cancer and precancerous polyps in the colon should be conducted every ten years.

Eye exam

In your 50s, you’ll want to continue your eye exams as the risk for macular degeneration and cataracts increases.

Vitamin D tests

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in immunity and bone health and tends to decline as we age. A yearly vitamin D test can help ensure you get enough of this essential nutrient.

Women In Their 60s +

In addition to all of the above, your 60s is a time to put an increased focus on neurological health and start screening for Alzheimer’s and dementia.

In-office exam

Your doctor may conduct a neurological exam in the office, looking at your motor skills and reflexes.

Cognitive function tests

Several tests are available to determine cognitive function; your neurologist or primary care will point you in the direction of the one they feel is best suited.

Hearing tests

Your 60s is also a time that you may begin to notice changes in your hearing. Hearing tests are done on an as-needed basis.

Men In Their 20s and 30s

Below are a handful of screenings and blood tests to begin keeping an eye on in your 20s. These tests should carry you through your 30s as a baseline. That said, your doctor may decide to add other screenings if they feel it may be necessary.

Cardiovascular and metabolic health screenings

These tests become particularly important as you enter your 30s and your metabolism naturally begins to change, but getting started early is always a good idea. Cardiovascular and metabolic health are closely related, so keeping an eye on both of these systems is crucial.

For cardiovascular health:

Once a year, check your blood pressure levels, cholesterol levels, and levels of C-reactive protein (a marker that can tell you about inflammation in your body).

For metabolic health:

Keep an eye on your weight, especially as you enter your 30s and your metabolism begins to change. Every one to two years, check your insulin and blood glucose levels to ensure your body is managing blood sugar properly.

Skin exam

Depending on where you live, you may want to have a full-body skin exam once a year. In warmer clients where there is more skin exposure to the sun, a yearly check-in with your dermatologist is recommended. This becomes even more important as you age, but starting in your 20s is a good idea.

STD testing

STD tests should be conducted annually, or in accordance with your sexual activity.

Men In Their 40s

In your 40s, you start to notice changes in your metabolism, making the metabolic and cardiovascular markers previously mentioned twice as important. In addition you’ll want to add:

Urological exam

A urological exam screens for prostate and testicular cancer and is conducted by a urologist. Once you hit your 40s, this exam should take place once a year. In addition to the physical exam, you may also want to check your blood for markers including:

PSA (prostate specific antigen): a blood test that helps diagnose prostate cancer.

Testosterone: levels of this hormone can begin to fluctuate in your 40s, resulting in unwanted symptoms like muscle loss and hair loss.

Eye exam

If you’ve made it to your 40s without any vision issues, then this would be the time to begin screening. In your 40s, vision may slowly begin to change, and many people experience issues with seeing up close. Eye exams should be done every one to two years.

Men In Their 50s

In addition to the above, you’ll want to add:

Bone density screening

In your 50s, you may want to begin bone density scanning. We naturally lose bone as we age, and although osteoporosis is more common in women, men are also affected and should begin screening as early as possible to get ahead of fractures.

Colon cancer screening

This is a time in your life when you’ll want to start to pay extra attention to your hard-working digestive organs. Especially your colon.

Fecal occult blood tests: detect blood in stool and can be helpful for showing signs of polyps, ulcers, diverticulitis, and signs of colon cancer.

Colonoscopy: Tests for cancer and precancerous polyps in the colon should be conducted every ten years.

Eye exam

In your 50s, you’ll want to continue your eye exams as the risk for macular degeneration and cataracts increases.

Vitamin D tests

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in immunity and bone health and tends to decline as we age. A yearly vitamin D test can help ensure you get enough of this essential nutrient.

Urological exam

If you haven’t already begun working with a urologist, by the time you reach 50 it’s important to begin checking your PSA levels every three years as your risk for prostate cancer begins to increase.

Men In Their 60s +

In addition to all of the above, your 60s is a time to put an increased focus on neurological health and start screening for Alzheimer’s and dementia.

In-office exam

Your doctor may conduct a neurological exam in the office, looking at your motor skills and reflexes.

Cognitive function tests

Several tests are available to determine cognitive function; your neurologist or primary care will point you in the direction of the one they feel is best suited.

Hearing tests

Your 60s is also a time that you may begin to notice changes in your hearing. Hearing tests are done on an as-needed basis.

Takeaway

In addition to committing to a healthy lifestyle, keeping an eye on the blood tests and screenings mentioned above is an essential step in prevention. While some health conditions are solely due to poor lifestyle habits, many health issues can evolve due to the aging process itself.

Prevention is always the best medicine, and luckily, we have plenty of tools at our disposal these days to stay ahead of any health concerns.

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