Annual Checkup in BKK, what's recommended?

[impulse]

It's been a few years since my last thorough "annual checkup".

I've been perusing the various hospitals websites and several offer packages that look similar, but different. Does anyone have any experience with them, or recommend one over the other?

Normally I go to Bumrungrad for routine stuff like high blood pressure meds and normal "old guy" prescriptions, but I'd be willing to make a change.

Specifically, I'm late 50's with some concerns related to back and neck problems causing loss of upper body strength that feels like pinched nerves (had cervical spine surgery 10 years ago). But I'd prefer to look at the whole picture, including other possible issues that may be sneaking up at my age.

I have good employer provided insurance.

Suggestions? Any horror stories?

[Sheryl]

Check-up packages will not do anything re your soine issues, though you can tack on a spinal xray if you like, you are going to need to see a spinal specialist for that. recommend Dr. Wicharn at BNH.

Back to the check-up packages: the packages are designed with Asians in mind and even then, not always very rational. You are not however limited to set packages, you can add on tests to them at usually a lower rate than the test would otherwise cost. Here is what you need at your age, you'll have to see which package or package plus add-ons works best:

CBC, creatinine, fasting blood sugar, urinalysis - all packages have these

Liver panel: ALT, AST, total bilirubin

Lipid panel: TC, HDL, LDL, triglycerides

uric acid

stool for occult blood and for parasites

PSA (this is a little controversial - may want to read up on it).

A colonoscopy if you have not had one in past 1 years

Tonometry (eye test for glaucoma)

upper abdominal ultrasound if you have a history of heavy drinking or if the liver enzymes come back abnormal, otherwise not necessary

While all the hospitals do a good job with the tests, the quality of their interpretation is often poor/perfunctory. I have not been impressed by Bumrungrad in that regards. Samitivej is very good.

[edwardandtubs]

Is it really essential to have a camera shoved up one's bottom every year?

[lukey1979]

Check-up packages will not do anything re your soine issues, though you can tack on a spinal xray if you like, you are going to need to see a spinal specialist for that. recommend Dr. Wicharn at BNH.

Back to the check-up packages: the packages are designed with Asians in mind and even then, not always very rational. You are not however limited to set packages, you can add on tests to them at usually a lower rate than the test would otherwise cost. Here is what you need at your age, you'll have to see which package or package plus add-ons works best:

CBC, creatinine, fasting blood sugar, urinalysis - all packages have these

Liver panel: ALT, AST, total bilirubin

Lipid panel: TC, HDL, LDL, triglycerides

uric acid

stool for occult blood and for parasites

PSA (this is a little controversial - may want to read up on it).

A colonoscopy if you have not had one in past 1 years

Tonometry (eye test for glaucoma)

upper abdominal ultrasound if you have a history of heavy drinking or if the liver enzymes come back abnormal, otherwise not necessary

While all the hospitals do a good job with the tests, the quality of their interpretation is often poor/perfunctory. I have not been impressed by Bumrungrad in that regards. Samitivej is very good.

I just had a recent checkup at bumungrad. I opted for the full package at 16900 bt. Was expensive but very thorough, the prior and final consultation by the Dr was excellent, there was no communication difficulties.

[sms747]

I think colonoscopy is every three years at most. Bumrungrad told me I had high cholesterol, back in the UK they said it was normal!

Edited December 1, 2013 by sms747

[Sheryl]

Is it really essential to have a camera shoved up one's bottom every year?

Not every year. Once every ten years, if findings normal.

[Sheryl]

Check-up packages will not do anything re your soine issues, though you can tack on a spinal xray if you like, you are going to need to see a spinal specialist for that. recommend Dr. Wicharn at BNH.

Back to the check-up packages: the packages are designed with Asians in mind and even then, not always very rational. You are not however limited to set packages, you can add on tests to them at usually a lower rate than the test would otherwise cost. Here is what you need at your age, you'll have to see which package or package plus add-ons works best:

CBC, creatinine, fasting blood sugar, urinalysis - all packages have these

Liver panel: ALT, AST, total bilirubin

Lipid panel: TC, HDL, LDL, triglycerides

uric acid

stool for occult blood and for parasites

PSA (this is a little controversial - may want to read up on it).

A colonoscopy if you have not had one in past 1 years

Tonometry (eye test for glaucoma)

upper abdominal ultrasound if you have a history of heavy drinking or if the liver enzymes come back abnormal, otherwise not necessary

While all the hospitals do a good job with the tests, the quality of their interpretation is often poor/perfunctory. I have not been impressed by Bumrungrad in that regards. Samitivej is very good.

I just had a recent checkup at bumungrad. I opted for the full package at 16900 bt. Was expensive but very thorough, the prior and final consultation by the Dr was excellent, there was no communication difficulties.

Communication difficulties are not the issue, it is the thoroughness and quality of the analysis. Some doctors tend to become so used to delivering a happy "all is well" speech that they overlook abnormal findings. Or, they respond to them in ways that do not take the individual's history into full account.

Wherever you go, review the results yourself and query anything that is abnormal. I have not once but several times seen major abnormalities missed and given the "everything is fine" speech. Or interpretations given that made no sense given the specific medical history.

[joealx]

When I get a physical exam in Bangkok, should I rely on the checkup doctor ( primary care doctor) for referrals to specialists that I want to see, or should I do that myself?

[Sheryl]

Do it yourself, and spend a little time researching first to select the best doc for your needs.