Dr Shriram Nene’s health advice: Don’t rely only on ‘normal’ test results, understand your risk

Dr Shriram Nene, a renowned cardiothoracic surgeon and husband of Bollywood actress Madhuri Dixit, emphasizes the importance of not solely relying on normal test results when assessing one's health. In an Instagram post, Dr Nene cautioned that while test results like BMI, glucose, cholesterol, waist circumference, blood pressure, family history, and lifestyle habits offer valuable insights, they do not paint the complete picture of an individual's risk for various health conditions.

Medical experts concur with Dr Nene's advice. Dr Palleti Siva Karthik Reddy, a consultant physician at Elite Care Clinic, explains that standard blood tests are primarily designed to detect advanced or clinically significant abnormalities, rather than early or functional changes in the body. This discrepancy arises because most lab parameters are based on population averages, not individual baselines.

As a result, values within the normal range may still be suboptimal for a specific person, masking early signs of hormonal imbalances, autoimmune disorders, or other health issues.

Dr Pranav Ghody, a consultant endocrinologist and diabetologist at Wockhardt Hospitals Mumbai Central, highlights the significance of understanding that a normal fasting blood sugar result does not guarantee metabolic health. Blood sugar levels reflect the final stage of metabolic dysfunction, and before glucose levels rise, individuals may already exhibit signs of metabolic issues such as weight gain, fatty liver, abnormal cholesterol, high blood pressure, or increasing insulin levels.

Dr Ghody advises that these blood tests are informative but not exhaustive, underlining the importance of regular check-ups, maintaining a healthy weight, engaging in physical activity, ensuring adequate sleep, and seeking timely medical guidance to prevent metabolic diseases.

Dr Reddy recommends that individuals track their symptoms over time, as many health conditions develop gradually and may only become evident through patterns rather than isolated events. Maintaining a simple health log documenting symptoms, duration, triggers, diet, sleep patterns, and stress levels can provide valuable insights that aid in more accurate and timely diagnosis.

Despite the limitations of standard blood tests, consistent monitoring of one's health can empower individuals to make informed decisions and take proactive measures to safeguard their well-being.