I took a blood test a couple of years ago at 73 years old.
I get a call from the nurse telling me my vitamin D was too high as well as my PSA had elevated a bit since my last blood test and I needed to see an urologist.
Well I upped my Vitamin D3 to 5000 IU during the scamdemic and I wasn’t having any noticeable effects so I kept taking that dose.
As far as my PSA goes it was right on the margins as I declined seeing an urologist.
At my next yearly exam, I declined taking blood tests.
A couple of weeks ago I ran across a You Tube video talking about screenings for the 75 and over.
A lot of it rang true for me.
The 5 Medical Checkups I Would NEVER Get After 70 (even potentially harmful) by the You Tuber, InsidetheFeeling.
Those AI videos drive me crazy. Robotic voices, robotic people, awkward repetitive hand gestures. But the content is good (even though you never know about the "doctors" in the vids). Here's a Grok summary you can scan in 60 seconds, not 20 minutes:
After age 70, many routine screenings can lead to more harm than benefit due to overdiagnosis, unnecessary procedures (biopsies, surgeries, treatments), complications (infection, bleeding, anesthesia risks, reduced quality of life), and slow disease progression that people often outlive anyway. The risk-benefit ratio changes with age, frailty, and limited life expectancy. Guidelines (like USPSTF) often recommend stopping or questioning these in older adults.
Always consult your doctor for personalized advice—this is general educational information only, not medical advice.
Here are the five checkups Dr. Trask would seriously question, decline, or avoid after 70 (unless symptoms, strong family history, or other specific reasons apply):
- Routine colonoscopy (especially after 75) Colorectal cancer grows slowly. With prior normal results, the chance of it impacting remaining life is low. Risks include bowel prep dehydration/electrolyte problems, sedation complications (breathing issues, confusion), perforation, bleeding, and emergency surgery.
- Aggressive breast cancer screening (routine mammograms after ~75) and prostate cancer screening (PSA testing after ~70) These detect slow-growing cancers unlikely to cause problems or shorten life. Follow-up leads to biopsies (infection/bleeding risk) and treatments like surgery, radiation, or hormone therapy causing pain, fatigue, incontinence, erectile dysfunction, or loss of independence. USPSTF often advises against routine use in these age groups.
- Routine cardiac stress testing in asymptomatic people Abnormal results frequently trigger angiograms/catheterizations (risks: stroke, bleeding, kidney damage) and interventions like stents or bypass surgery. Major trials (COURAGE, ISCHEMIA) show no survival benefit over medications and lifestyle changes alone in stable patients.
- Routine bone density scans (DEXA) leading to automatic osteoporosis drug treatment In frail patients over ~80, benefits are marginal. Drugs like bisphosphonates have side effects (esophageal irritation, rare jaw necrosis, atypical fractures). Focus instead on fall prevention, exercise, vitamin D/calcium, and avoiding over-treatment.
- Carotid artery screening (ultrasound for asymptomatic carotid stenosis) Guidelines recommend against it in people without symptoms. Positive findings often lead to surgery or stenting (risks: stroke, heart attack, nerve damage) with no proven advantage over medical management (statins, blood pressure control, antiplatelets).
Key takeaways:
- Prioritize quality of life, independence, and avoiding unnecessary procedures over aggressive detection.
- Ask your doctor targeted questions: What changes if the test is positive? How much does it extend life expectancy? What are the real risks vs. benefits?
- Be informed, know age-adjusted guidelines, and feel empowered to decline tests.
- Defensive medicine, financial incentives, and the "more testing = better" mindset can drive overuse—discuss openly with your physician.