Do you get a regular "NCT" checkup from your doctor?

StupidLikeAFox

As the title suggests, do you go to a doctor for a regular checkup or just wait til something goes wrong?

If you do, I'm curious to know what does it involve exactly and what would they check/look for if you went in without a specific complaint?

bassy

my doc is a doc not a mechanic.

I get a good check up once a year and sometimes twice. I also request an MRI every now and then. I experience health anxiety though so that's my main driver.

Anyways for me it involves a full blood count taken and blood pressure checked and a boob exam. Doc will listen to my lungs, shine a light in my eyes, poke my ears, do some neurological checks as well. Now if I'm at the doc for any particular reason I will get him to check my blood pressure as well so a few times a year for that.

For most people I think it's just a full blood count and then maybe gender specific things.

Dempo1

Interesting Question OP but perhaps in wrong forum.

Just a personal story, not intended to Alarm but I've had a Journey, primarily because I didn't have a regular check up.

Personally I'd not been to see a GP for over 30 years , Male, now 55 ,I was suffering from chronic fatigue, disorientation and a few other minor issues. I'd moved rural from Dublin 21 years ago , never even thought to register with my local GP and thankfully I did around 8 years ago but rarely attended.

Roll on 3 years later I decided to get fatigue checked out and the Journey began with a Diagnosis of a rare Thyroid Disease an illness in itself easily managed but complications from it not so Easy and it's those complications I now deal with on a daily basis .it's taken 5 years to reach the point I'm at now but along with excellent GP , I attend two specialist clinics.

I learned I'd had serious high blood pressure, Dangerously high Cholesterol and sugar levels (all connected to Thyroid illness) and in essence, years of lack of awareness, which I put it down to very long work hours and stressful Job , had led to additional complications which included Liver problems (I don't drink alcohol) and more recently got a Diabetes Diagnosis, Despite good Diet. Essentially a Disease I had , undiagnosed for a few years has led to , now long term challenges.

Obviously I was not intentionally ignoring signs , I put it down to other things, It is said Men tend not address their personal health concerns as well as Women, perhaps I'm an example of this.

Had I perhaps got yearly , check up's , had blood pressure checked , blood tests done etc I'd be in a better place now but I can understand people with busy lives ignoring small signs and would not be judgemental.

I'm obviously an exceptional example, I'm fine on a day to day basis, with physical and mobility challenges but now on 8 different medications daily , Immune compromised and will likely never work full time again.

I'm lucky in other respects, small mortgage , no major financial commitments etc, but if I was to say anything about getting at least a yearly check up, Do It , particularly if your middle aged , its so, so important 😏

ednwireland

been in in the last 6 months ecg, scans, blood tests found nothing. niggling ache pain still there(was in hospital a few years ago so don't want to leave anything). gp is totally uninterested no follow ups nothing had to chase for scan results. tried to move gp but all full.

basically if you are male and standing your fine in the gps eyes.

no preventative checks available at all.

FishOnABike

Good to know you still have a spark in you and are firing on all cylinders but a GP might have something to say about being well oiled regularly.

magicbastarder

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119291728#Comment_119291728

there were more than a few clinics advertising the general helth checkups before covid, i know several people who went in for them. generally they were €200-€400 at a guess depending on how comprehensive you wanted to get.

we watched a documentary by michael mosley a few years back which claimed there was a growing discontent within medicine against those sort of checkups; generally they were attended by the 'worried well' and on a population level did little to advance public health while playing on people's fears about their own health.

ednwireland

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119291785#Comment_119291785

thing is I was in hospital for 8 days with a major bleed in My intestines a few years ago. managed to heal myself (with lots of blood, drips and nexium). so think I might have reason to be 'worried well'

Kintarō Hattori

Every year I go to the doc and he does the following:

prostate check (I'm over 40)

blood tests

genetic blood tests

a general check-up

It would be silly not to do these as I'm getting older and it simply makes sense.

Wanderer78

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119291452#Comment_119291452

fcuk, maybe this is where im going wrong, was always wondering why my mechanic always looked bewildered at me when i mentioned a prostate check!

bb1234567

Going to the doctor is not a failsafe, there are unfortunately many diseases that can fly under the radar during a checkup. But there are many other dangerous diseases that a doctor can easily spot early signs of so it seems like a good idea to this for anyone over 30 imo even if you live a healthy lifestyle.

The Mighty Quinn

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119291728#Comment_119291728

I'm 36. No obvious health issues. I am overweight however.

I decided recently to talk to my GP about a one over, see how I'm doing, any warning signs I've missed etc.

Doc looked at me like I'd just pissed on his floor, "you're grand" was the response, no interest in having bloods done etc etc. Made me feel guilty about clogging the system for those who actually need tests.

Right so.

zg3409

Firstly make sure you have good health insurance locked in, just in case you find anything and then cannot get health insurance from then on.

If you have a feeling something is wrong get it checked out asap. Even nothing specific. I would be against un necessary MRI due to the real increase cancer risk, particularly if it's not a once off. If you have pains and discomfort try get it sorted particularly as it may impact your exercise.

Basic blood tests and urine tests for diabetes, high blood pressure, common issues are handy to have and age specific checks for male, female are important. Doctors can check breathing, hearing eyesight etc.

Try to eat well, exercise, sleep and look after yourself.

How often do you go to the dentist?

How often do you service your car?

At least consider your health but don't do un necessary tests as there is cancer risks from x-rays, MRIs so there use should be limited. Waiting lists are massive here so get yourself on a list if you have an issue.

It's a big thing in USA of TV ads saying get yourself checked just in case, and they upsell you lots of testing.

Montage of Feck

I exercise, don't smoke, drink little and have a reasonably healthy diet after that the rest is left to fate, I don't have health insurance or a GP. If I have to go so be it, my only hope is that its something quick that takes me in my sleep.

mariaalice

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119291459#Comment_119291459

You ask for an MRI every so often? to look for what? sounds odd unless you have some condition that can be diagnosed by an MRI.

mariaalice

I have a serious long-term condition I go to my GP once a year to get my bloods done because the medication I have may have side effects.

Not everything in life is controllable.

Greyfox

No, can't afford a checkup and have to wait till something goes wrong

Strumms

I’m on a medication that requires a prescription… about once every 2 years I get an SMS…

” in order to continue issuing the prescription to your pharmacy, you need to attend a consultation / blood test with Dr. M. Please call to schedule an appointment “.

quick chat, BP check, overall wellbeing assessment and he emails the pharmacy the prescription there and then before I leave… good for another couple of years. Same deal with my neighbour, though she forgot to schedule the appointment and same doc…true to his word, he didn’t issue the prescription….not for any life threatening condition but had not been of the mind to issue it.

that was a wake up.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119294743#Comment_119294743

Yes.

StupidLikeAFox

OK, I think I should go in for a checkup -

Does the local doctor do a decent enough job or is there any benefit/difference in going to the likes of the mater private for their executive checkup job? It's 600e so not to be sniffed at, but seems v comprehensive:

https://www.materprivate.ie/our-services/health-screenings/healthcheck

EchoIndia

I suspect doctors like the "worried well" coming for these type of "check-ups". The likelihood of finding anything serious is low and most of the follow-up is in the nature of lifestyle advice that tells the person what they already probably know about diet, alcohol and exercise. There is not a lot of eviebnce that would support wellness checks being done on a whole population basis, which is why the State has not gone down this road.

Gusser09

Bollix.

Havent been to a GP in years. Im 38. I know peoole who seem to be in the doctors all the time. Every ache pain lump and itch they go in. Mad stuff if you ask me.

I'll be honest. When its my time then so be it. I have a healthy enough diet etc so hopefully all goes well. The nct culture is being driven by big pharma also looking to increase sales for a lot of drugs which arent needed at all. I also think the like of the beacon and blackrock clinic love seeing middle aged men coming in who are insured up to their bollox. I bet a lot of procedures costing thousands happen every year without the need.

gameoverdude

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058253091/do-you-get-a-regular-nct-checkup-from-your-doctor

I know I'm an idiot, but unless my leg is hanging off, I'd half way contemplate it. Sure its just a scratch. As I said above, I'm an idiot.

Tippman24

I went to have a small process done in Kilkenny a few years ago and was told there to get my Blood Pressure looked at. I went to local GP and was perscribed Blood Pressure tablets (three times a day). a few years after he did a full check on me for bloods etc, and referred me to a consultant in Cork. Sugar levels to high. Blood pressure too high. A few other things needed looking at. Never smoked and never a big drinker. Take exercise daily. I go to the Doctor every six months to have blood samples taken, and go to Cork once a year. Last time at the local Doc, was told that as I am on a yearly appointment to Cork, not much wrong with me. Still good to get it done.

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119292242#Comment_119292242

Doctors don't check eyesight though. One regular check that we all need us eyes every couple of years. From an optometrist, not a GP. Ditto teeth at a dentist.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119291785#Comment_119291785

Yeah it's not a coincidence that they're most popular when medicine is all or mostly private. On a cost/benefit-basis screening programmes can be surprisingly poor value as well.

banie01

There really isn't much benefit to routine check ups. As already said the CBA on non cancer male screening programmes isn't there. That said, any and all symptomatic presentations or even something you've noticed that's just not right. Should be run by your GP.

I don't get an NCT style check up, but various health issues do mean I'm on 6months bloods and at my age now that includes the auld PSA rather than a finger up the bum 👍

I see an endocrinologist yearly, I see a pain management specialist for nerve ablation every 4 months or so, I see a urologist yearly along with an US scan of my kidneys, I see a chronic Disease management specialist nurse every 6 months too. No need for any extra chefs spoiling my barely held together broth 😂

Anita Blow

Doctor here.

Very little indication for routine check-ups in otherwise well, young people. The yield on most investigations is low in someone asymptomatic of any disease. The only exception maybe would be those 65+ and in that case very limited routine investigation might be appropriate targeting age-related disease- full blood count, bone profile, fasting blood sugar.

Most of the tests expensive screening programs offer are nothing more than a money making exercise.

mariaalice

It is interesting from a cultural point of view. The belief that everything can be controlled. The one that I find irritating is the belief that diet and exercise can prevent cancer or the belief that cancer can be prevented.

The Continental Op

My father was a hypochondriac, or at least he thought the doctor had a pill for everything and he took them all, as a result I try to avoid going to the doctor unless necessary. I think having a regular checkup for no good reason is as bad as not going to the doctors when you think there is something wrong.

Gusser09

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/119298293#Comment_119298293

100 percent. A lot of these private clinics conduct procedures for no good reason and claim off the VHI etc. As you've said if harmless conditions are diagnosed then what good does it really do.