Health Check Ups For 50Yrs ++

[Sheryl]

Agree with the above. I haven't found many good GPs in Thailand.

The doctors working in the various health check up depts are GPs, and I have indicated some I have found unusually good/thorough.

Unless you know you have cardiac problems, i would not start with a cardiologist. Specialists tend to have tunnel vision.

Frankly I would start with getting a check up (having first researched what tests are indicated for someone of your age, sex and history). But I would not rely solely on the interpretation given in the check-up report. Look at the results and follow through yourself on any that are abnormal. At that point you'll know which type of specialist to consult, if any.

[chiang mai]

That pretty much sums it up, specialists having tunnel vision is a serious problem here. Also, I've met loads of doctors who know which tests to administer but not interpreting the results and following through is another very serious probelm, most seem to think that the act of giving drawing the blood, getting it tested and giving the patient the results means the job is done.

[bangkokburning]

I had a checkup at PraRam9 a few times. Everything was excellent but as Sheryl stated, The dx my overall condition and lab was weak, but acceptable for the price. Last year we bought coupons and got a great discount.

This year the +50 pkg is B9k! The pkg does not even incl a stress test! Bunch of Hepatitus tests which I certainly do not need being married, vaccinated and boostered for A/B. Im convinced they add these on and unsuspecting parltients are clueless. Just more tests!

What is worse is they offer basic lab, ekg, ultrasound for half - BUT IT IS NOT ON THE ENGLISH PAGE, ONLY THE THAI.

http://www.praram9.com/th/package_detail.php?id=83

I might call and ask, but might not.

Thinking about Saint Louis. I think if you are reasonably healthy, just learn to read your own lab and seek specialist if something is wrong.

I also have a weak impression of GPs here.

Edited May 14, 2013 by bangkokburning

[lopburi3]

That is why they offer different sets of tests. Actually hepatitis tests seem reasonable for general over 50 segment in Thailand as immunizations for a/b are relatively recent and suspect most people have not received more than a flu shot since being school age. And hepatitis is a very serious problem here and does not require sex for transmission. For hepatitis C there is no immunization so detection and treatment is the only path.

[chiang mai]

Here's the list of tests I get done and why:

FBS & A1C - fasting blood glucose and three month sugar levels (diabetes)

ALT/AST - liver panel/function

BUN & Creatinine - kidney function

Lipids (HDL/LDL) + cholesterol and trilglycerides - cardio

PSA - Prostrate

CBC - complete blood count (white blood cell levels is extremely useful)

TSH & FT4 & FT3 - Thyroid function

I pay THB3,200 for the above from a local hospital and get them done twice a year.

[Sheryl]

I had a checkup at PraRam9 a few times. Everything was excellent but as Sheryl stated, The dx my overall condition and lab was weak, but acceptable for the price. Last year we bought coupons and got a great discount.

This year the +50 pkg is B9k! The pkg does not even incl a stress test! Bunch of Hepatitus tests which I certainly do not need being married, vaccinated and boostered for A/B. Im convinced they add these on and unsuspecting parltients are clueless. Just more tests!

What is worse is they offer basic lab, ekg, ultrasound for half - BUT IT IS NOT ON THE ENGLISH PAGE, ONLY THE THAI.

http://www.praram9.com/th/package_detail.php?id=83

I might call and ask, but might not.

Thinking about Saint Louis. I think if you are reasonably healthy, just learn to read your own lab and seek specialist if something is wrong.

I also have a weak impression of GPs here.

Agree with the last 2 points, in general. Would also caution that some results listed as abnormal may not be, so need to do your own research. For example many of the hospitals use an unusually low cut ioff for markers for liver cancer due to its prevalence in thailand and a result that is well within international standard range may trigger a rote recommendation to see a GI speclialist. (actually the test itself is nto really indicated for most westerners.. which brings me to the next point).

The addition of a hepatitis panel in check-up packages is not added on to dupe people. It makes total sense for Thai patients, who have a high incidence of hepatitis and, as a result, primary liver cancer. It just doesn't make sense for most westerners. The checkup packages are designed with Thai populations in mind.

You may find it less expensive to get a lower end package and add on the things it lacks that you need. Additional tests are usually discounted when added on to a health check up package.

[bangkokburning]

Sheryl - the Hep tests are on the English page. The quickie "Summer Check" (Thai) has no check for Hepatitis.

Now, that was the promo. It may well be that when you dig into the website, all pkgs are indeed same offering these Hep tests. But the Summer Check is not in English.

So now there is high prevelence of Hepatitis in Thailand? Imagine alcohol is a factor. Tests are for A-C. I've known two farang personally with C. Imagine like HIV is a real sleeper in the sex industry.

[Sheryl]

The high prevalence of Hepatitis in Thailand is of long standing. Which is why the combined Hep A-B vaccine is now part of the standard immunization schedule. These are comparatively new vaccines, however, which means it will be several generations before the prevalence of Hep B declines in the general population. And of course, there is no vaccine for Hep C yet.

Hep B is sexually transmitted and much more easily spread than HIV. Indeed together with HIV, comprises the biggest health to people who engage in unprotected sex with locals.

[bangkokburning]

There is a ton of foreign guys having unprotected sex here.

Locals are even worse.

No one ever hears about this. They quietly die here, Cambodia or return home.

Not many "be careful, i got hiv in phuket" posts here on TV.

[Sheryl]

No, there aren't such posts...but I have gotten more than a few private PMs to that effect.

Many people are hesitant to reveal their HIV status online, even under a pseudonym.