Mother's Day is approaching—take your mom for a health checkup to safeguard her well-being. Beyond common concerns like high blood sugar, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia among middle-aged and elderly women, medical reports often contain technical jargon that can be confusing.
However, with the data below and insights from Aikang experts, helping your mom understand these indicators is straightforward.If abnormalities are detected, early prevention and treatment can be implemented, using scientific methods to combat diseases and nip them in the bud.
Tumor Markers (Positive)
Normal Range: There are many types of tumor markers. Representative examples include Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) at 20ng/ml and Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) at 5ng/ml.
Abnormal Findings: Elevated AFP is commonly associated with liver cancer, endodermal tumors, teratomas, testicular cancer, ovarian cancer, and gastric cancer. Elevated CEA is frequently linked to colorectal cancer, pancreatic cancer, and gastric cancer.
Health Tip: Interpretation of tumor marker screening results requires comprehensive evaluation in conjunction with clinical department examinations and imaging studies.
Hypertension
Normal Range: Systolic blood pressure between 90 and 140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure between 60 and 90 mmHg.
Abnormal Conditions: Frequent severe headaches accompanied by nausea may signal malignant hypertension. Dizziness may occur when suddenly squatting or standing up. Palpitations and shortness of breath can lead to myocardial hypertrophy or myocardial infarction.
Health Tips: Long-term hypertension requires medical consultation. Strictly follow prescribed antihypertensive medications. Consult your doctor before discontinuing medication once blood pressure stabilizes. Monitor blood pressure regularly. Maintain a light diet with reduced salt and spicy foods.
Hyperlipidemia
Normal Range: Total Cholesterol (TCHO) 2.6–5.18 mmol/L; Triglycerides (TG) 0.36–1.70 mmol/L; Low-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (LDL-C) 0–3.37 mmol/L;High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol (HDL-C): 1.04–2.2 mmol/L.
Abnormal Conditions: Elevated total cholesterol may be observed in hyperlipoproteinemia, obstructive jaundice, nephrotic syndrome, etc.
Health Tip: Prefer "white meat" (fish, poultry) as the primary meat source in daily diet. Consume plant oils in moderation and reduce oil usage during cooking.
Hyperglycemia
Normal Range: Fasting blood glucose (GLU) 3.9–6.11 mmol/L.
Abnormal Conditions: May occur in diabetes, hyperthyroidism, Cushing's syndrome, acromegaly, and other stress states; elevated blood glucose is common during pregnancy-related vomiting, dehydration, general anesthesia, and in patients with liver cirrhosis.
Health Tip: Targeted treatment and dietary control are crucial. The overarching principle is "achieving a nutritionally balanced diet within prescribed caloric limits." Concurrently, increased physical activity strengthens muscles and enhances insulin sensitivity.
Osteoporosis
Testing: Bone mineral density (BMD).Survey data indicates that the prevalence of osteoporosis among individuals aged 50 and above in China is 19.2%, rising to 32.1% for women aged 50 and above, and reaching 51.6% for women aged 65 and above. After menopause, the sudden decline in estrogen levels causes bone tissue structure to become increasingly porous, eventually leading to collapse and fractures.
Health Tip: Supplementing calcium alone is insufficient. Comprehensive treatment is essential, including increasing bone mass, enhancing bone strength, and preventing fractures. Adjusting diet, using medication appropriately, maintaining regular exercise, and taking protective measures are also crucial.
Eye Health
Screening Item: AI Retinal Screening. Using a single retinal photograph, this screening detects not only eye diseases like macular degeneration and glaucoma, but also risks and complications associated with 30 major chronic conditions including diabetes, hypertension, and certain tumors.
Health Tip: Aikang has introduced Airdoc AI retinal imaging, offering accuracy equivalent to consultations with renowned ophthalmology specialists nationwide. With AI assistance, more people can conveniently access expert-level services.
Thyroid Nodules
Screening Test: Color Doppler Ultrasound. For common benign small nodules, regular hospital check-ups are necessary to monitor for growth or transformation.Surgery is indicated if: the thyroid compresses surrounding structures; hyperthyroidism persists despite other treatments; a thyroid mass is palpable behind the sternum; the nodule rapidly enlarges; or there is suspicion of malignancy.
Health Tip: Thyroid nodules are more common in women, with a female-to-male incidence ratio of approximately 3:1. Women should maintain a positive mindset and optimistic outlook, balance work with rest, and adopt healthy lifestyle and work habits.
Breast Nodules
Screening Test: Mammography. For middle-aged and elderly women, especially postmenopausal individuals, breast tissue becomes less dense. Ultrasound signals may weaken when penetrating this tissue, reducing clarity. Mammography effectively visualizes calcifications within breast tissue and can detect early-stage cancers occurring within milk ducts before they form palpable nodules.While some perceive mammography as having radiation exposure, the dose is minimal—roughly equivalent to one day of sunbathing.
Health Tip: Maintain emotional stability and avoid depression, irritability, or anger. Limit fried foods, animal fats, and sweets. Increase intake of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains.
Cervical Abnormalities
Screening Tests: Cytology Test (TCT) and HPV Testing. Simply put, HPV testing checks for the presence of viruses that can cause cervical abnormalities.TCT checks for the presence of lesions. While over 90% of cervical cancer patients have had HPV infection, it's possible to develop cervical cancer without HPV infection or to have other gynecological conditions. Additionally, HPV infection may exist without causing lesions, in which case TCT alone may not detect abnormalities. Therefore, if financially feasible, we recommend undergoing both HPV and TCT tests simultaneously.
Fecal DNA Testing
Test Item: Changweiqing. While colonoscopy can detect precancerous lesions, it is an invasive procedure that many middle-aged and elderly individuals instinctively resist due to physical concerns. In 2014, the U.S. FDA approved the use of multi-target fecal FIT-DNA combined detection technology for colorectal cancer screening.The Changweiqing test introduced by iKang is a non-invasive, painless genetic detection technology with accuracy comparable to colonoscopy, capable of detecting advanced adenomas as small as one centimeter. It can be performed at home—simply collect a stool sample and mail it back as instructed—making it highly suitable for middle-aged and elderly individuals.