How to prepare for your annual physical exam
An annual physical exam (APE) or executive check-up is one of the simplest ways to catch health issues early. A little preparation makes the results more accurate and the visit faster.
The night before
- Most packages include a fasting blood sugar and lipid profile, so fast for 10 to 12 hours. Plain water is fine. No coffee, tea, juice, gum or smoking.
- Avoid alcohol for 24 hours and get a good night's sleep.
- Stop biotin or hair, skin and nail supplements 2 to 3 days before if your package has thyroid tests.
On the morning of your visit
- Keep taking your usual medicines with water unless your doctor told you otherwise. If you take insulin or diabetes pills, ask your doctor how to take them while fasting, and bring a snack.
- Collect your first morning urine midstream in a sterile container, and bring a stool sample if your package includes one.
- Bring your ID, HMO card, previous results and a list of your medicines.
- Wear comfortable two-piece clothes. If your package includes a treadmill test, wear rubber shoes.
For ladies
Avoid collecting urine during your period and for about 3 days after it ends. If you have your period on the day of your visit, tell our nurses so we can move the urine test. Pap smears are best done 10 to 20 days after your period starts.
If you're having an ultrasound
- Upper or whole abdomen: fast for 6 to 8 hours.
- Pelvic, kidney or whole abdomen: drink 4 to 6 glasses of water an hour before and don't urinate until after the scan.
- Breast and thyroid ultrasound need no preparation.
After your tests
Every health package includes a consultation and a review of your results with a doctor, who will explain what each result means and what to do next.
This article is general information and is not medical advice. For advice about your health, please book a consult.