3 Tests That Can Offer A More Precise View Of Your Health, From An Integrative MD

In the era of precision medicine, we can now collect tons of data on ourselves—such as testing our genes to make intentional choices about nutrition or fitness. Most importantly, we want to know what information we can obtain that will help us take action to prevent or prolong the onset of a certain medical problem.

That's why I'm a big proponent of utilizing various tests that take pictures of our bodies (known as imaging tests), which hold valuable information. While insurance companies may not reimburse these tests, if the cost is manageable for you, the information you will glean is well worth the price. 

One of the most valuable tests that one could do is a body composition scan, in the form of a rapid MRI (no radiation or contrast), which can cost about $200.

And, here's a reality check: Yes, it is possible to look thin on the outside but have plenty of fatty tissue on the inside. Have you ever seen someone who looked like they were in shape but then had a heart attack? These stories happen more often than you think.

If we understand what is going on with our bodies, then we can make personalized choices for ourselves so that we can live longer, healthier lives. Also, we have a more accurate and precise metric to follow rather than just weight.

Another one of my most favorite tests is a CT coronary calcium scan. These are readily available, as well, and may not cost you more than $100 to get in many places. Yes, this is a CT scan, so there is radiation exposure. However, it is a quick, low-dose CT scan (and the radiation is comparable to an X-ray).

This quick and easy method can give your doctor a glimpse of what the plumbing in your heart is looking like. When we get buildup in our heart, we can develop problems like high blood pressure, chest pain, shortness of breath, or even a heart attack. This is useful as a preventive test because it is readily available, cost-effective, and can give you tons of information regarding your risk for a cardiac event.

Many people may choose to pursue a whole-body MRI as part of a cancer screening protocol. This can also be a very valuable test for discovering risks you might have or understanding if you have a problem before it really becomes a "problem." I find this kind of screening test to be very useful when building a prevention strategy with patients.

More specific imaging tests like a cardiac MRI might be able to identify structural problems with your heart that you might not have known about otherwise. Dedicated brain MRIs can also be very valuable tools, especially when they can measure the volume of a part of your brain called the hippocampus, as it gives a clearer picture as to your risk for neurodegenerative diseases like Alzheimer's.

Each of these tests can play a role in comprehensive imaging evaluation. However, I would strongly encourage starting with a body composition scan and a CT coronary calcium scan since they're slightly more accessible options for learning about your body and what's going on inside.