Private Health MOT checks?

lawtz04

Hi

Im 36, male and just about to become a dad.

I seem to get things wrong with me every now and then that cant really be explained, and im considering one of these health mot checks. They seem to be about 200 pound.

Any thoughts on if they are ok? My wife worries too and it would
put both our minds at ease.

At the moment I get numb hands and tingly fingers. Ive had blood tests and it one higher than normal result. I had my nerves tested and they were ok. Still waiting on any more news.

Thanks

pmduk

If you get an NHS health check, you will only get further referrals if the results warrant it. With a private check, who's to say that further referrals are not for the benefit of the private provider concerned. I'd wait to hear back about your nerve test. It is probably something minor - but only your medical team can advise you.

theoretica

The general MOT type checks I have seen advertised don't seem to be what you want for a specific concern - they look at standard and common things like heart, lungs, bloodpressure, cholesterol, weight, smoking... doesn't sound like what you are asking for.

indiepanda

theoretica wrote: »

The general MOT type checks I have seen advertised don't seem to be what you want for a specific concern - they look at standard and common things like heart, lungs, bloodpressure, cholesterol, weight, smoking... doesn't sound like what you are asking for.

Exactly that - I remember having one many years ago, tested things like lung capacity, blood sugar, cholesterol, stress and anxiety levels. Nothing specific to a condition, the checks are pretty basic. Thorough investigations into a particular issue could cost way more than that as I know from seeing the bill when I had to have MRIs on my knees a few years ago.

Better to press the NHS to investigate your particular issue. Going private by and large doesn't mean you see better doctors (most private doctors also do NHS work) or they can do better tests, it's just about pace. NHS rations treatment via waiting lists and slow appointments, but in general if it's anything serious they up the pace somewhat.

MonkeyDr

I am a Dr, and I would not get an MOT health check.

If you have symptoms, they need investigating in a specific way.

'Screening' tests exist as part of the NHS (e.g. smears etc).

For a screening test to be useful it needs to
a) potentially identify problems before a time when they would otherwise come to light AND
b) there be a treatment option to treat it AND
c) that make a difference to the overall outcome (a crude example: screening test in Jan that picks up disease X but you still die of it in Dec = 11 months of disease X. No screening test but symptoms started in April and you still die in December = 8 months of disease X, same end result, 3 happy diagnosis-free months) AND
d) no / acceptable potential harm from the test and the follow-ups that would ensue initial tests showed something abnormal (I do investigational procedures with a 1/1000 risk of pretty serious harmful side-effect. I don't do them on people who don't need them).

Sadly, nothing is straightforward. I was taught that 30% of people have evidence of disc damage on a spine MRI; doesn't mean 30% need spine surgery. Also means that even if it's on the MRI it might not be the cause of your back pain... Simple tests lead to complicated and riskier ones, not to mention the psychological harm they can do when you think you might have e.g. cancer.

Some screening can be useful. Men aged 40 are offered a well-man check with their GP. Without symptoms, I'd wait for that, and, as said above, specific symptoms should be investigated in themselves, not by a money-making scatter-gun approach.

System

If you're going down the private route, it would be worth checking first what it actually is that they're going to check/screen you for. Blood sugar, perhaps? Possibly prostate/bowel checks.

Numb hands and tingly fingers could be anything from anxiety to a neurological problem (and probably lots of other things in between!).

DigForVictory

I got one of those kind offers too. Went through every test they offered with my pharmacist, who explained exactly what each was good for. (It was a quiet Tuesday morning.) Every test individually has merit, but as an assortment, they're *less* use than a balance sheet which is a snapshot too.
After a riveting half hour, I summarised it as "so, snake oil targeting?" & got a very broad grin.

If you have a specific worry, lean on our beloved NHS. Be ready to (a) loose half a stone, (b) change your pillow & (c) buy carpal wrist splint on ebay & try sleeping wearing them for a month. All three cost less than the "MOT" and may have more noticeable short term positive effects.

Best of luck & may your wife's health run smoothly too (emphatically no point in doing these tests on a pregnant target - there won't be enough comparison data for it to be worthwhile and anyway snapshot.) Save the money for meals out (check the deals page for getting most meal for the money!)

Manxman_in_exile

go to your GP and explain your symptoms

MonkeyDr

lawtz04 wrote: »

My wife worries too and it would put both our minds at ease.
Thanks

Another thought for the OP.

I completely understand about wanting to put minds at ease, especially when you are about to become a new dad. However, it is important to realise that no screening test can say 100% that you don't have / won't get diseases xyz.

And a £200 thing is hardly going to offer anything. Blood tests, BP, urine dip, maybe ECG. So what? Loads of illnesses wouldn't show on those. Proper diagnostic tests tend to be invasive and risky. Even an x-ray carries a v small radiation dose that (very slightly) increases your risk of cancer.

Put your minds at ease by maintaining normal BMI, not smoking, doing at least moderate exercise, generally healthy diet, not drinking too much, no drugs, no necessarily risky behaviour etc. And get symptoms investigated, as you are doing. If you have particular fears about particular illnesses (e.g. if they run in the family at a young age) then speak to your GP, who can so the right tests, refer on or reassure, as appropriate.

Good luck.

Toothsmith

^^^^^^^
Excellent advice!