[Health Column] When Should You Get a Health Checkup? Why It Is Necessary Even Without Symptoms and the Test Frequency

 

hello, Director Hong Seung-ah of Joaon Internal Medicine Clinic no see.
When you are busy managing work and schedules, it can feel inconvenient to set aside time for a health checkup when you have no specific ailments.

 

Even after being notified that you are eligible for a checkup, you may postpone the schedule thinking there is still time. However, there are health issues, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and dyslipidemia, where you may not feel any distinct discomfort in the early stages.

 

A health checkup is not a test that detects all diseases in the body at once. It identifies current health status and major risk factors, and is designed to lead to further evaluations if necessary. Selection process It is close to.

 

Today, I will summarize everything at once, from how to check eligibility and timing for screening to the criteria for reading results and determining the next steps.

 

💡 The key points to address first
Health checkups are A single normal/abnormal judgment Rather than a test to confirm, compared with the previous test Which direction the figures are changing This is material for examining. Therefore, 'what the previous results were' is just as important as 'when it was received'.

 

🩺 Should I get a health checkup even if I have no symptoms?

In order to identify health problems that may not show specific symptoms in the early stages, such as hypertension or type 2 diabetes, Even during periods without symptoms Regular health checkups are meaningful.

 

General health checkups examine various health indicators through height, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure, as well as blood and urine tests. Fasting blood sugar, hemoglobin, and levels related to liver and kidney function also serve as data to assess current health status and the risk of chronic diseases.

 

but Just because a test value falls outside the reference range once does not mean that a specific disease is immediately confirmed. Blood pressure can be affected by factors such as tension or rest status at the time of the examination, and blood test results may also vary depending on fasting status, recent alcohol consumption or exercise, and medications being taken.

 

📌 Eligibility, schedule, previous results, and family history. These are four things you should check before your checkup.

 

🩺 How do I check if I am eligible for the national health checkup?

Eligibility for the national general health checkup may vary depending on health insurance eligibility, age, and the employment type of workplace subscribers.

 

thus Rather than determining eligibility for screening based solely on whether the year of birth is odd or even, It is more accurate to check the health checkup form for the relevant year or the results of the individual eligibility inquiry from the National Health Insurance Service.

 

Not all workplace subscribers are subject to the same check-up cycle. Since check-up cycles may vary depending on employment type, such as office or non-office work, it is necessary to verify one's eligibility and whether one is eligible for the relevant year. The 2026 Health Check-up Implementation Standards also stipulate the eligibility, examination items, and implementation methods for general health check-ups.

 

🩺 How is the National Cancer Screening different from a general health checkup?

National cancer screening is a general health checkup and Separately We determine and implement the target age, risk factors, screening frequency, and testing methods for each type of cancer.

 

The eligible cancers include stomach, colorectal, liver, breast, cervical, and lung cancer, with eligibility criteria varying by type. For example, the national colorectal cancer screening program administers a fecal occult blood test as a basic screening for designated candidates, and additional tests may follow based on the results. Eligibility and testing methods for each cancer type can be found in the National Cancer Screening Guide on the National Cancer Information Center website.

 

but The screening cycle of the National Cancer Screening does not mean the individual follow-up examination interval required for everyone. A separate examination plan may be applied if there have been previous polyps or other abnormal findings on endoscopy, a family history, or current symptoms. The 2026 cancer screening implementation standards also stipulate examination items, target subjects, and examination methods by cancer type according to separate criteria.

 

📌 The screening cycle of the National Cancer Screening and the timing of individual follow-up tests may vary.

 

🩺 How are health checkup re-examinations and follow-up tests different?

Just because abnormal findings are confirmed during a health checkup does not mean everyone undergoes the same test again at the same time. The subsequent verification process may vary depending on which test items fell outside the reference range, whether the same changes were repeated in previous tests, and whether there are current symptoms or pre-existing conditions.

 

For example, if blood pressure is measured as high once during a health checkup, repeated measurements or records of previous blood pressure can be used for further assessment. For blood sugar, liver function, and kidney function tests, necessary additional tests can be determined by reviewing the condition at the time of the checkup alongside previous test results.

 

thus Retesting, repeated testing, follow-up testing, additional testing, and testing for confirmation do not always mean the same thing. It is recommended to first check what judgments and follow-up instructions are displayed on the results table.

 

🩺 Why is family history important in health checkups?

Family history is information that can be referenced when assessing an individual's health risks and the need for additional testing.

 

Rather than simply checking if anyone in the family has suffered from an illness Who had what disease and at what age it occurred It is helpful to keep this organized. In particular, if you have a family member who has been diagnosed with diseases such as cancer or cardiovascular disease at a relatively young age, it is advisable to share this information when receiving checkups or medical treatment.

 

However, having a family history does not mean you will definitively develop the same disease. Please use this information as a reference when planning your check-up.

 

🩺 Why should I keep my previous health checkup results?

Health checkup results are more than a single test Flow of change over time You can get more information when comparing.

 

If your blood pressure or fasting blood sugar was borderline in a previous test, or if there were changes in liver function, kidney function, or cholesterol levels, you can compare the changes in the same items in the next test. If polyps or other abnormalities are identified during the endoscopy, it is advisable to also remember the recommended follow-up test schedule.

 

on the other way Adding many test items does not necessarily increase the accuracy of a health checkup. It is important to determine which tests are necessary for you based on your current symptoms, family history, and past test results.

 

📌 If you collect the result tables, you can compare at a glance which direction the same figures are moving.

 

🩺 Is a thyroid function test included in the national health checkup?

Just because general national health checkups check fasting blood sugar or liver and kidney function, It is not standard practice to test everyone's thyroid hormone levels.

 

Thyroid function is primarily evaluated using blood tests such as TSH and Free T4. Since symptoms such as fatigue, weight changes, and palpitations can stem from various causes in addition to changes in thyroid function, it is difficult to diagnose thyroid disease based on symptoms alone.

 

National health checkups and thyroid function tests are not a matter where one test replaces the other, The health information you intend to verify and the purpose of the test are different.

 

If you have any symptoms, is it better not to just wait for a health checkup?

National health screenings are meaningful for screening health risks in asymptomatic individuals, but It is not a test to identify the cause of all currently appearing symptoms.

 

If you experience persistent changes different from your usual routine, such as bloody stools, recurrent bleeding, persistent abdominal pain, or unexplained weight loss, you may need to seek medical attention to identify the cause separately from your regular national health checkup schedule.

 

Blood tests or chest X-rays from a standard health checkup alone cannot identify structural changes in the mucosa of the stomach and large intestine or in all organs. Endoscopy, ultrasound, and CT scans also differ in their target subjects and purposes. Therefore, if newly developed symptoms persist, it is important not to rule out all possible causes simply because past health checkup results were normal.

 

🩺 How do you read the overall judgment on the results table?

In the health checkup results notification Normal A, Normal B (Borderline), Suspected General Disease, Suspected Hypertension, Diabetes, Dyslipidemia, Patients with Existing Diseases We classify the overall assessment using the following:

 

Here, 'suspected disease' refers to a health checkup. Further verification is required. This means that. You should distinguish this from the fact that a final diagnosis of the disease has been made based solely on the examination results.

 

✅ Check this first before your check-up.

The items below are not criteria for self-diagnosing specific diseases, but rather reference items to review checkup records and recent health changes.

□ I did not check whether I was eligible for the national health checkup this year.
Please check the eligibility for the screening and available screening times first.

□ I don't remember the results of my last health checkup.
If you look at previous records, it is easy to compare how the same figures have changed.

□ You received guidance on re-examination or follow-up verification from the previous results.
Please check the results table again to see which test item was responsible.

□ There have been times when my blood pressure or blood sugar was within the borderline range.
You can compare the results with the previous ones to see if similar changes continue in the next test.

□ My weight or waistline has changed noticeably recently.
You can examine it along with metabolic health indicators such as blood pressure and blood sugar.

□ There is someone in my family who developed cancer or a chronic disease at a relatively young age.
It is recommended to share your family history during checkups or medical consultations.

Checking for multiple items does not mean you have a specific disease. Please use this as a reference to review your eligibility for the checkup, previous records, and lifestyle changes.

 

 

💬 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1. What tests are typically performed during a health checkup?

A1. Basic tests include a medical history, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure measurement, and blood and urine tests; depending on age and gender, oral examinations, cognitive function, bone density, and mental health assessments may be added.

 

Q2. If the test results fall outside the criteria, is it immediately diagnosed as a disease?

A2. A disease should not be determined based on a single test result; it is important to interpret the results by reviewing repeated measurements and previous records together.

 

Q3. How do national cancer screenings differ from individual follow-up screenings?

A3. National cancer screenings are conducted according to national standards, and the intervals and items for individual follow-up screenings may vary depending on personal risk factors, such as past test results and family history.

 

Q4. What should I pay attention to when preparing for a health checkup?

A4. Organize any medications and health supplements you are currently taking, as well as past surgery and test results, and check preparation requirements, such as fasting, according to the testing agency's instructions.

 

Q5. What should I do after receiving the examination results?

A5. Based on the results, it is recommended to record the direction of change and plan additional tests or lifestyle adjustments if necessary.

 

🎯 To summarize

Rather than a one-time event, a health checkup is... your health condition How it is changing over time It is closer to data for verifying.

 

Even if you have no symptoms, check your eligibility and timing for screening, and review whether there are any changes from previous results. National health checkups and national cancer screenings differ in eligibility, test items, and frequency, and individual follow-up examinations may be necessary depending on past abnormal findings or family history.

 

If new symptoms persist, rather than simply waiting for your next national health checkup, it is advisable to consider whether a medical examination is necessary to identify the cause of the symptoms.

 

Developing the habit of keeping your checkup results and reviewing previous tests alongside your next checkup is highly beneficial for understanding the flow of your long-term health changes. Please feel free to contact us at any time if you have any questions.

 

Joaon Internal Medicine Clinic
Director Hong Seung-ah · Internal Medicine Specialist

- Gastroenterology Endoscopy Subspecialist
- Specialist in Internal Medicine at Hallym University Sacred Heart Hospital (Awarded the Kind Resident Award)
- Fellow in Gastroenterology, Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital
- Outpatient Professor, Department of Gastroenterology, Hallym University Dongtan Sacred Heart Hospital
- (Former) Chief Internal Medicine Officer at Bundang Yonsei Modu Clinic
- (Former) Chief of Internal Medicine at Pyeongchon Seoul On Clinic
- (Former) Internal Medicine Director at Ansan Samsung Cham Pyeonhan Internal Medicine Clinic
- (Former) Chief Internal Medicine Officer at Hapjeong Yonsei Good Doctor Clinic
- University hospital checkup center endoscopy specialist
- Endoscopy specialist at Pangyo Medipium Health Checkup Center
- Regular member of the Korean Society of Internal Medicine
- Lifetime member of the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
- Regular member of the Korean Society of Gastroenterology
- Regular member of the Korean Society of Hypertension
- Regular member of the Korean Diabetes Association
- Regular member of the Korean Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy
- Regular member of the Korean Society of Clinical Ultrasound
- Regular member of the Korean Society of Ultrasound in Medicine
- Regular member of the Korean Society of Preventive Medicine