Health screening in Surrey

Health screening in Surrey is available at Prime Health in Weybridge. It is a great way of getting a snapshot of your current health status to catch signs of worsening health or the early stages of actual disease.

A simple Google search will show numerous companies currently offering home finger prick tests or actual laboratory tests. They vary in price and usefulness, most importantly in the quality of the feedback they give with the results. If a test is positive or negative, that does not need any extra interpretation. However, most medical tests need to be interpreted by a doctor who knows what the results mean and how they can affect you during the course of your life. That takes experience.

Results of health screening need to be interpreted according to your circumstances depend on your age, gender, build and general health. Interpretation of results is also affected by any medical problems you may have and the medication and supplements you are taking.

The real utility of health screening comes from the follow up when the results are seen in the light of your own unique circumstances. The outcome may be lifestyle advice, or medication if your results are very abnormal. If your results are completely normal then you can be given advice on how to maintain good health, optimise it further, or avoid certain habits that may put your good health at risk. I have an interest in lifestyle medicine, so I put an emphasis on natural methods to reverse chronic disease, treatment and prevention. I prescribe medication as a last resort because it only ‘manages’ medical problems and does nothing to address the underlying causes which just continue to get worse over time.

There are a number of health screening packages to get an all-round view of your health.

Silver screening package £595

The silver health screening package would be most useful at any age. It includes:

• A discussion of your current health and any concerns
• Physical examination including height, weight, blood pressure and targeted examination
• Blood tests to check for blood disorders/anaemia, inflammation, kidney function, liver function, gout, bone health, calcium, iron, glucose, cholesterol, thyroid hormone function, vitamin D and prostate (men)
• Urine chemistry
• A follow up appointment to discuss the results and give lifestyle advice and need for any supplements or medication
• Assessment of your 10-year risk of having a heart attack or strole.

Gold screening package £995

The gold health screening package would be most useful for anyone over the age of 40. It includes:

• Everything in the silver screening package plus:
• Electrocardiogram (ECG): this gives a tracing of the electrical activity of the heart and can indicate underlying heart problems
• Chest x-ray: this can screen for any lung problems including cancer and also heart related problems
• Abdominal and pelvic ultrasound scan checks the organs such as liver, kidneys, bladder, pancreas, spleen, uterus and ovaries (women), prostate and testes (men). It also checks for any abdominal aortic aneurysms
• Colon cancer screening

Can other tests be done?

You may request other tests to be done at the time of the initial consultation, or I may suggest tests that may also be useful in addition to the standard health screens. There is an extra charge for these.

Do you need to fast for the tests?

Usually fasting is not required for the health screen. However, fasting can offer extra information from the tests concerning your heart health.

How do I book a health screening assessment?

Please call Prime Health on 01932 504999 to book your appointment with Dr Amer Sheikh.