Can't understand the medical examination report? Don't worry, the doctor will teach you step by step

After every physical examination, many people scratch their heads when they receive the physical examination report. Faced with obscure medical terms and dense numbers, everyone is confused. If they see the indicators followed by floating arrows, they will be even more nervous and uneasy. The excitement is comparable to "opening a blind box". Next, the doctor will tell you what these indicators mean and how to deal with them.

1. Conventional indicators

1. Blood pressure

The upper limit of normal systolic blood pressure (SBP) is 140 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa), and the upper limit of normal diastolic blood pressure (DBP) is 90 mmHg. In the absence of antihypertensive drugs, hypertension can be diagnosed when the systolic blood pressure in the clinic is ≥140 mmHg and/or the diastolic blood pressure is ≥90; according to the severity, hypertension can be divided into grade 1, grade 2 and grade 3, and the higher the grade, the greater the danger. When blood pressure is <90/60 mmHg, it is hypotension.

Countermeasures

①Eat less salt and control your weight.

② Exercise 3 to 5 times a week, each time for more than 30 minutes.

③Quit smoking and limit alcohol consumption.

2. Blood sugar

Generally speaking, physical examinations mainly focus on two indicators: fasting blood sugar and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c).

Fasting blood sugar: can help determine blood sugar levels. If it is >7.0 mmol/L, it generally indicates that there is an abnormality in blood sugar levels.

Glycated hemoglobin: reflects recent blood sugar levels, helps judge the patient's recent physical condition and is helpful for the diagnosis of diabetes.

Countermeasures

①Control your diet and eat less sweets.

② Exercise regularly and get enough rest.

③Control your weight and have regular check-ups.

3. Blood lipids

Total cholesterol (TCHO) refers to the sum of cholesterol contained in all lipoproteins in the blood. High levels are often seen in various types of hyperlipidemia, diabetes, hypothyroidism, drinking, and long-term smoking; low levels are often seen in hyperthyroidism, anemia, and malnutrition.

High-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL) has the function of protecting blood vessels and is what doctors call "good" cholesterol. A high level can limit the occurrence and development of arteriosclerosis and play an anti-atherosclerotic role, but the higher the better is not the case!

High low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) is closely related to the incidence of coronary heart disease. Low low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is beneficial to prevent arteriosclerosis. If it is significantly lower than normal, it may be related to too little intake or too much consumption of lipid substances. If it continues to decrease, further examination by a specialist is required.

Triglycerides, also known as triglycerides, are often found in primary hyperlipidemia, diabetes, obesity, gout, coronary heart disease, etc.; low levels are often seen in hyperthyroidism, malabsorption, and adrenal cortex insufficiency.

Countermeasures

①Quit smoking and drinking.

②Exercise moderately and keep exercising.

③ Eat a light, nutritious and reasonable diet. It is recommended to eat less animal offal and foods with high fat content.

4. Kidney function

Serum uric acid (UA) is the end product of purine metabolism. High uric acid levels are commonly seen in gout, glomerular filtration rate damage, etc.; low uric acid levels are commonly seen in malnutrition and pernicious anemia.

Serum creatinine (Scr) is a product of human muscle metabolism. High levels are seen in impaired glomerular filtration function caused by various reasons, while low levels are common in the elderly and thin people.

Urea nitrogen (BUN) is the main end product of human protein metabolism. High levels are often seen in renal insufficiency, acute glomerulonephritis, dehydration, hyperthyroidism, urinary stones, etc.; low levels are often seen in renal dysfunction and severe liver disease.

Countermeasures

①Pay attention to rest and avoid overwork.

②Pay attention to a diet that is low in salt, fat, high quality and low in protein.

5. Transaminase

Transaminase is the most direct indicator of whether there is a problem with liver cells, and the main focus is on alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST). Abnormal transaminase is often seen in hepatitis, liver tumors, and the use of liver-damaging drugs.

Liver function tests require blood to be drawn on an empty stomach, which is usually 8 to 12 hours. It is recommended not to eat after 9 pm the night before the test, and to avoid high-fat, high-protein, and carotene- and lutein-rich foods for dinner, and to ensure adequate sleep. Drinking alcohol the night before the test, eating or drinking before the test, exercising or strenuous exercise, etc., can easily lead to a "false positive" result.

Countermeasures

①Quit drinking.

② Regulate your emotions and don’t be overly nervous or anxious.

③ Eat more foods rich in vitamin B and high protein to promote the repair and regeneration of liver cells.

6. Tumor markers

Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP): It is commonly used to monitor malignant tumors such as primary liver cancer and liver metastasis of digestive tract tumors. One of the diagnostic criteria for liver cancer is AFP ≥ 400 μg/L. Hepatitis B, cirrhosis, pregnancy or reproductive tumors can also cause AFP to increase to varying degrees. For patients with low-level elevation of AFP, dynamic observation should be performed in combination with imaging.

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA): a broad-spectrum tumor marker that increases in colorectal cancer, gastric cancer, lung cancer, and breast cancer. It is mainly used clinically to monitor the recurrence and metastasis of gastrointestinal tumors.

Carbohydrate antigen CA153: A specific marker for breast cancer. Elevated CA153 levels can be seen in 30% to 50% of breast cancer patients, but the CA153 positivity rate is low in the early stages of breast cancer.

Countermeasures

① Most tumor markers have limited specificity and sensitivity, so there is no need to panic if they only increase once.

② It is recommended to visit a tumor specialist after one month and dynamically monitor the indicators.

2. Image indicators

1. Hyperplasia

Most hyperplasias will not turn into cancer, but they need to be checked every year. Hyperplasia can be understood as excessive growth, which is the increase in the number of cells in a part of the human body, causing the volume of the tissue to increase. Most benign hyperplasias are not fatal. However, it is recommended to check every year to prevent benign diseases from turning into malignant ones.

2. Nodules

Be alert to sudden changes in nodules. Nodules are a general term in imaging. Small lumps found in ultrasound, X-rays, and CT scans can all be called nodules. Generally speaking, nodules with a diameter of less than 1 cm only require regular follow-up; large nodules with a diameter of more than 1 cm may require diagnosis and treatment.

However, there are two types of nodules that require special attention:

① Significant changes in size and shape within a short period of time.

② Nodules appear in people with a family history of cancer.

3. Cyst

Ninety percent of cysts will not become malignant, but most of them are too large and affect other organs and need treatment. Cysts are benign masses that grow in human organs, like a small water bag, and their appearance is mostly determined by genes.

The possibility of a cyst becoming malignant is generally less than 5%, so regular follow-up is all that is needed and no special treatment is required. However, if the cyst grows too large and compresses adjacent organs, causing discomfort or complications, treatment is required.

4. Polyps

Polyps depend on the location and size. Polyps are growths that grow on the surface of human mucous membranes and are strictly speaking benign tumors.

When polyps are discovered during a physical examination, they require different treatments depending on their location and size. It is recommended to follow the doctor's advice.

It should be noted that abnormalities in certain indicators on the physical examination report do not necessarily mean that you are "ill". There is no need to be frightened when you read the physical examination report. Follow-up is still necessary for all kinds of nodules, polyps, space-occupying lesions, etc. found during the physical examination. Especially for those with irregular thyroid nodules with fine calcifications and gradually enlarging gallbladder polyps, these are often evidence of malignant changes. You should seek medical attention in time and ask professional doctors to develop specific treatment plans.