With just a few weeks left until vacation season, many people are eager to lose weight and improve their physical fitness. However, before heading to the gym and starting a diet, it is crucial to consult with a doctor and undergo necessary medical tests, stated endocrinologist and dietitian Tatyana Denisova in an interview with “Vechernyaya Moskva”.
According to Denisova, the most common reason patients seek medical advice is the desire to lose weight. For those with overweight or obesity, the following tests are recommended:
- Complete blood count (CBC)
- Biochemical blood test (including liver markers)
- Levels of calcium, albumin, bilirubin, ferritin, and vitamin D
Denisova highlighted that for those with a weight excess of over 40 kilograms, it is also necessary to assess parathyroid hormone levels and check for carbohydrate metabolism disorders through glucose and glycated hemoglobin tests. If required, a doctor may prescribe an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT). Measuring fasting insulin levels and during the OGTT is not recommended due to its low informativeness.
Equally important is to evaluate blood lipid levels and check purine metabolism via a blood test for uric acid. To rule out gallstone disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, an abdominal ultrasound is advised, the doctor recommended.
She added that based on the examination and test results, the specialist will determine the need for further studies to exclude endocrine causes of obesity.