Paramus Board of Health will conduct its annual Blood Chemistry Screening
By Mel Fabrikant Thursday, August 26, 2010, 10:53 AM EDT
The Paramus Board of Health, in cooperation with Medical Laboratory Diagnostics, will conduct its annual Blood Chemistry Screening on Saturday, September 25, 2010. “The purpose of the program” according to John Hopper, Borough Health Officer, “is to identify individuals at risk for coronary heart disease and diabetes, and to prevent the associated premature death and disability associated with these diseases.”
The fee for a basic health profile with a complete blood count, HDL and LDL cholesterol level will be $16.00. PSA testing for men will cost an additional $17.00. PSA is a blood test that screens for prostate cancer and other prostate disease, and is recommended for men 50 years and over by the American Cancer Society. An elevated PSA level in the blood may be an early indicator of prostate cancer or prostate disease. Digital rectal exam of the prostate, also recommended for men over 50, can be done by a private physician.
African American men or men who have a family history of prostate cancer should begin talking to their physician about screening for the disease at an even earlier age. Doctors may suggest that men who have several first degree relatives with prostate cancer begin screening as early as age 40.
At an additional cost, two other worthwhile blood tests are being offered. A thyroid panel, consisting of TSH, T3-Uptake, T4 Total and FTI can be drawn for $31.00 and a Hemoglobin A1C for $15.00. The Hemoglobin A1C shows the average level of glucose (sugar) in your blood during the last three months. The American Diabetes Association, and several international groups, have joined forces to recommend the use of the hemoglobin A1C assay for the diagnosis of diabetes.
Most insurance plans require a physician’s order for diagnostic tests, therefore those wishing to take part in this annual screening program should understand that the laboratory will not be able to bill Medicare, nor any other private insurance company on their behalf. The test fee must be paid on the day of the program, with a check made payable for the exact amount to Medical Laboratories Diagnostics.
Residents wishing to take part in the screening program need to make an appointment by phoning the Board of Health at 201-265-2100, Ext. 615 or 618.
Callers will be given a specific time to visit the Board of Health before the screening, where they will have a short health history taken, along with their blood pressure and will be given any additional instructions necessary. The deadline for registration is September 17, 2010.
“This is an extremely worthwhile preventive health program,” Hopper said. “Every year we identify people at risk of developing heart disease or diabetes. With appropriate referral to their own physicians, and with lifestyle changes and medication we hope to help them delay or prevent the complications so often seen with these diseases.”
The Health Officer and the members of the Board of Health urge all Paramus residents to take charge of their health and participate in this worthwhile screening event.
The fee for a basic health profile with a complete blood count, HDL and LDL cholesterol level will be $16.00. PSA testing for men will cost an additional $17.00. PSA is a blood test that screens for prostate cancer and other prostate disease, and is recommended for men 50 years and over by the American Cancer Society. An elevated PSA level in the blood may be an early indicator of prostate cancer or prostate disease. Digital rectal exam of the prostate, also recommended for men over 50, can be done by a private physician.
African American men or men who have a family history of prostate cancer should begin talking to their physician about screening for the disease at an even earlier age. Doctors may suggest that men who have several first degree relatives with prostate cancer begin screening as early as age 40.
At an additional cost, two other worthwhile blood tests are being offered. A thyroid panel, consisting of TSH, T3-Uptake, T4 Total and FTI can be drawn for $31.00 and a Hemoglobin A1C for $15.00. The Hemoglobin A1C shows the average level of glucose (sugar) in your blood during the last three months. The American Diabetes Association, and several international groups, have joined forces to recommend the use of the hemoglobin A1C assay for the diagnosis of diabetes.
Most insurance plans require a physician’s order for diagnostic tests, therefore those wishing to take part in this annual screening program should understand that the laboratory will not be able to bill Medicare, nor any other private insurance company on their behalf. The test fee must be paid on the day of the program, with a check made payable for the exact amount to Medical Laboratories Diagnostics.
Residents wishing to take part in the screening program need to make an appointment by phoning the Board of Health at 201-265-2100, Ext. 615 or 618.
Callers will be given a specific time to visit the Board of Health before the screening, where they will have a short health history taken, along with their blood pressure and will be given any additional instructions necessary. The deadline for registration is September 17, 2010.
“This is an extremely worthwhile preventive health program,” Hopper said. “Every year we identify people at risk of developing heart disease or diabetes. With appropriate referral to their own physicians, and with lifestyle changes and medication we hope to help them delay or prevent the complications so often seen with these diseases.”
The Health Officer and the members of the Board of Health urge all Paramus residents to take charge of their health and participate in this worthwhile screening event.
