Regular medical testing, though often overlooked, can serve as an early warning system, flagging imbalances before they become long-term complications. This is particularly relevant for people managing diabetes, prediabetes, or metabolic risk factors, but also for those who believe they are generally healthy and therefore delay routine check-ups.
This was recently highlighted by Dr Brijmohan Arora, a senior diabetologist based in Dwarka, Delhi, who shared a clear preventive message on Instagram, “6 test main aapko bataunga jo har 6 mahine mein kara lene chahiye. Jaan hai toh jahaan hai. Healthy rahenge, fit rahenge, paise bhi zyada kama payenge, family ko bhi dhyaan de payenge aur taqleef bhi kam hogi (I will tell you about 6 tests that you should get done every 6 months. If there is life, there is everything. If we stay healthy and fit, we can earn more money, take better care of our family, and face fewer health problems).”
Emphasising proactive care, his post caption stated, “Prevention is better than cure. Every 6 months, get these 6 tests done:” followed by a checklist: “✔️ HbA1c ✔️ Liver Function Test (LFT) ✔️ Kidney Function Test (KFT) ✔️ Lipid Profile ✔️ Vitamin B12 ✔️ Vitamin D3.” He further highlighted why this matters, adding, “Regular testing helps catch problems early & protects your long-term health.”
While the list seems straightforward, it raises crucial questions for everyday readers. Why these specific tests? Understanding the purpose behind these routine investigations and how to interpret them meaningfully requires expert insight, especially for those trying to build a sustainable, preventive approach to health rather than reacting to illness after it strikes.
Dr Palleti Siva Karthik Reddy, MBBS, MD, general medicine and consultant physician, tells indianexpress.com, “Many metabolic and organ-related conditions progress silently. Tests such as HbA1c, liver function tests, kidney function tests, and lipid profile help identify early changes long before symptoms appear. By the time a person feels unwell, significant damage may already have occurred.”
He adds that six-monthly testing allows doctors to detect subtle trends, assess metabolic stress, and intervene early through lifestyle correction or medication adjustment. “Feeling fine does not always mean internal health is optimal, which is why these tests act as an early warning system rather than a response to illness.”
Mild deficiencies in vitamin B12 or vitamin D3 are widespread and often do not cause immediate symptoms. Dr Reddy notes, however, that persistent low levels “can gradually affect nerve health, bone strength, immunity, and overall energy levels.”
He stresses, “Vitamin B12 deficiency becomes clinically significant when it starts impacting nerve function or blood counts, while low vitamin D3 affects bone density and muscle strength over time. These values should always be interpreted in context with symptoms, diet, sun exposure, and medical history, rather than in isolation.”
Preventive testing should be planned, purposeful, and guided by a physician rather than driven by fear, Dr Reddy says. The goal is to establish baseline values and track meaningful changes over time, not to chase every minor variation.
“When results are explained correctly, regular testing empowers individuals to make informed lifestyle choices instead of creating anxiety. The key lies in moderation, appropriate test selection, and professional interpretation so that health monitoring supports well-being rather than causing unnecessary worry,” concludes the expert.
DISCLAIMER: This article is based on information from the public domain and/or the experts we spoke to. Always consult your health practitioner before starting any routine.