EXTENDING AGE: DIFFERENT MEDICAL TESTS IN TWENTIES

Tuberculosis test: You should have a tuberculin skin test every three to five years throughout your life, Dr. Goldberg suggests. Tuberculosis has gone from the history books to the newspaper headlines. And today’s strains are harder to fight with traditional medications, making early detection essential. Men are twice as likely to get tuberculosis as women. You are particularly vulnerable if you live in crowded conditions or work in the teaching or health-care professions.

Cholesterol screening: You should have your cholesterol-or lipid profile-screened every three years until your 40th birthday; then switch to every two years, suggests Dr. Goldberg. Cholesterol screenings will tell you several things: Your level of “bad” low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol, which is known to form plaque on artery walls; your level of “good” high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, which appears to prevent plaque buildup; and the triglycerides in your blood, which are body fats that, when present at high levels, can contribute to heart disease risk. Ideally, you should aim for total cholesterol of no more than 200 milligrams per deciliter and LDL cholesterol of no more than 130 milligrams per deciliter. HDL should be at least 35 milligrams per deciliter, but more is better. Triglyceride levels should register under 200 milligrams per deciliter.

Eye exam: You should have your vision checked every three years until you reach 40 and then every two years thereafter, just to be sure that you’re seeing as clearly as possible, says Dr. Coulehan.

Testicular self-exam: If you’re younger than 40, you should check your testicles every month, but it doesn’t hurt to keep checking them monthly even after you are 40. “Testicular cancer is the most common solid cancer in men younger than 35,” Dr. Goldberg says.

Electrocardiogram: You should get a baseline electrocardiogram done at every decade throughout your life, says Dr. Goldberg. This test uses electrodes on your wrists and ankles and chest to determine the electrical activity of your heart. Any abnormalities will alert your doctor that there may be some form of heart disease in progress and that he should perform further tests.

HIV test: While not recommended as part of routine screening tests, if you feel that you are at risk for HIV because of your sexual practices or intravenous drug use, you should be tested regularly. “But having a clean AIDS test is not a license to act irresponsibly,” warns Dr. Coulehan. “A negative test does not mean that you are invulnerable to future infection. Obviously, you will need to practice safe sex.”

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