Full Medical- Bangkok Khonkaen hospital yesterday

[Scouse123]

 Yesterday, people, I went and had a full annual medical check up at the above hospital.

 

Total cost was 13,900 baht. Health promotion package.

 

That included EST tests, heart monitoring, eyes, audio, dental, X-rays, Ultrasound the whole nine yards

 

I went and met about nine specialists.

 

Outstanding service and very professional. Easy parking outside as well.

 

I am pleased they told me no presence of cancer, no diabetes, I need to lose a couple of stones and that will cancel out the fatty liver.

 

She said, you are in good shape for 62 years old.

 

Lose some weight, a bit more exercise and increase upper body strength by doing some resistance training.

 

I would certainly recommend that hospital for an annual check up.

[Tongjaw]

I’ve had 2 full medical there. Last one was in 2018 before we left Thailand. Prices haven’t gone up that much which is good. I agree they are very thorough although it was a long day as like you had to see numerous specialists. The parking must have been extended because in 2018 if you didn’t get there before 06:30 you had to park way up the back. 
Most of the specialists and doctors I saw spoke very good English. Would certainly recommend the hospital. 

[NORDO]

I have used BKK hospital in BKK for the last few annual checkups.   Usually around 20,000 THB or so for the real old guy checkup.

 

price has been climbing every year and the exam protocol has been shortened.   I’ll try and upcountry hospital this year 

[Sheryl]

I'm glad you got a good report but you should be aware that only a few types of cancer can be screened for, and even these often  involve things not included in a check up package (e.g. a colonoscopy -  which, if you haven't had one in the past 10 years, you should get).

 

If they actually told you that you don"t have any type of cancer, that was irresponsible.

 

 

 

 

 

[KhunLA]

Now y'all have a baseline for your cancer markers, a good thing for next check up to compare to.

 

As suggested, a colonoscopy is a good thing to have done.

[Sheryl]

30 minutes ago, KhunLA said:

Now y'all have a baseline for your cancer markers, a good thing for next check up to compare to.

 

As suggested, a colonoscopy is a good thing to have done.

 

Except for PSA (and even that has some controversy attached to it)  blood "cancer markers" are not appropriate for screening purposes.  They are used in monitoring response to cancer treatment but are neither sensitive nor specific enough for use  as a general screening tool. This misuse of such tests is something dreamed up by private hospital marketing depts. Often  lead to unnecessary anxiety and  further tests on the one hand or false confidence on the other. 

[KhunLA]

6 hours ago, Sheryl said:

 

Except for PSA (and even that has some controversy attached to it)  blood "cancer markers" are not appropriate for screening purposes.  They are used in monitoring response to cancer treatment but are neither sensitive nor specific enough for use  as a general screening tool. This misuse of such tests is something dreamed up by private hospital marketing depts. Often  lead to unnecessary anxiety and  further tests on the one hand or false confidence on the other. 

I agree, but, if your next test is off the chart, to your baseline, then a good heads up, especially if not showing any symptoms.  I think PSA is probably the most unreliable, unless already under care for cancer.   As so much can influence it.  

 

I've always been lower end normal, till older.   Then higher end, as prostate grew.  Then like double, but, prostate also twice as large, and probably had sex within 36 hrs of the test.  Ultrasound showed nothing abnormal.

 

Why I always suggest full abdominal ultrasound to be included when people ask about check ups, as will find things, and help them realize, it's not just a bit of visceral fat/love handles you see, but a fatty liver for example, which probably means other organs may have a bit extra that they could do without.

 

All the alphabet test are fine, but as stated, good marketing, as 3-4-5 more test and you think you're getting your money's worth.  Not a problem here, as so inexpensive, and they got the blood anyway, but elsewhere, just pads the bill, and an expensive one at that.  Pictures tell a much better story.   Ultrasound or CT Scan, (full abdominal) which I had done recently, just for the hell of it, and piece of mind   Showed I'm a bit healthier than I thought (fatty liver gone).   My GP is a nephrologist, so reassuring also.

 

Hopefully a wake up call for some, to unplug, and maybe take a walk, and not to the bar stool.  Takes a major lifestyle change, as our body can't handle what it use to, when we were active.  30 to 40 years of body abuse was enough, I gave my body break about 15 yrs old.   Easy since not really addicted to anything (cigs/alcohol), except pastry.

Edited July 19 by KhunLA

[TroubleandGrumpy]

Did this 'check' involve blood tests and written reports from all the specialists?

Yes - we live near KK.

 

[Tropicalevo]

 

On 7/18/2024 at 6:48 AM, Scouse123 said:

She said, you are in good shape for 62 years old.

 

Did they check your PSA?

At your age (and even younger) men should check this regularly (but not frequently).

It is an indicator and not a decider. Rising PSA can mean a number of things.

High PSA does not mean cancer.

[Scouse123]

3 hours ago, Tropicalevo said:

 

 

Did they check your PSA?

At your age (and even younger) men should check this regularly (but not frequently).

It is an indicator and not a decider. Rising PSA can mean a number of things.

High PSA does not mean cancer.

Checked it and it was very low.

 

But thank you for asking

[Scouse123]

11 hours ago, Sheryl said:

I'm glad you got a good report but you should be aware that only a few types of cancer can be screened for, and even these often  involve things not included in a check up package (e.g. a colonoscopy -  which, if you haven't had one in the past 10 years, you should get).

 

If they actually told you that you don"t have any type of cancer, that was irresponsible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I had a colonoscopy last year , I mentioned it on the board.

 

They said I was fine after removing a polyp.

[Scouse123]

11 hours ago, KhunLA said:

Now y'all have a baseline for your cancer markers, a good thing for next check up to compare to.

 

As suggested, a colonoscopy is a good thing to have done.

Had one recently

[Will B Good]

On 7/18/2024 at 6:48 AM, Scouse123 said:

 Yesterday, people, I went and had a full annual medical check up at the above hospital.

 

Total cost was 13,900 baht. Health promotion package.

 

That included EST tests, heart monitoring, eyes, audio, dental, X-rays, Ultrasound the whole nine yards

 

I went and met about nine specialists.

 

Outstanding service and very professional. Easy parking outside as well.

 

I am pleased they told me no presence of cancer, no diabetes, I need to lose a couple of stones and that will cancel out the fatty liver.

 

She said, you are in good shape for 62 years old.

 

Lose some weight, a bit more exercise and increase upper body strength by doing some resistance training.

 

I would certainly recommend that hospital for an annual check up.

 

Serious question......how did they rule out cancer?

[Scouse123]

4 hours ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Did this 'check' involve blood tests and written reports from all the specialists?

Yes - we live near KK.

 

Yes

[Scouse123]

1 minute ago, Will B Good said:

 

Serious question......how did they rule out cancer?

 

They just said all my markers were good and no evidence of cancer.

 

I stay on top of this as a previous cancer sufferer. I lost my voice box to cancer 19 years ago

 

My PSA tests were good, only things they pointed out was fatty liver and to lose a couple of stones and do more exercise.

[TroubleandGrumpy]

6 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

Yes

Thanks - that is good value.

All done on the same day??

[Sheryl]

5 hours ago, Scouse123 said:

 

They just said all my markers were good and no evidence of cancer.

 

 

As previously explained, these "markers" have no utility in screening of the gneeral population.

 

A normal CBC (blood count) = you can be confident you do not have cancer of the blood and it is very unlikely you have a lymphoma .

 

Normal PSA = unlikely you have a clinically significant prostate of the cancer.

 

Recent normal colonoscopy = no colon cancer.

 

But the other various "marker" tests mean nothing.

 

With prior laryngeal cancer, should have a  laryngoscopy every 5 years. That and Chest Xrays will pick up any recurrence.

 

I assume you are an ex-smoker, if so I would suggest the low dost CT screen for lung cancer annually. (Normally recommended only if there is a 20-pack year smoking history but with history of laryngeal cancer, might be wise even if smoking history is less than that).

[Scouse123]

12 minutes ago, TroubleandGrumpy said:

Thanks - that is good value.

All done on the same day??

  yes

[Scouse123]

12 minutes ago, Sheryl said:

 

As previously explained, these "markers" have no utility in screening of the gneeral population.

 

A normal CBC (blood count) = you can be confident you do not have cancer of the blood and it is very unlikely you have a lymphoma .

 

Normal PSA = unlikely you have a clinically significant prostate of the cancer.

 

Recent normal colonoscopy = no colon cancer.

 

But the other various "marker" tests mean nothing.

 

With prior laryngeal cancer, should have a  laryngoscopy every 5 years. That and Chest Xrays will pick up any recurrence.

 

I assume you are an ex-smoker, if so I would suggest the low dost CT screen for lung cancer annually. (Normally recommended only if there is a 20-pack year smoking history but with history of laryngeal cancer, might be wise even if smoking history is less than that).

 

 

Yes Sheryl,

 

Ex smoker, I quit 20 years ago.

[Scouse123]

I think with medical check-ups, we can only do our best to stay on top of it.

 

If I continuously worried, I would end up a nutcase.

 

Apart from losing some weight, more exercise, she said I was doing well for 62 years old.

 

So, there, we go.