Discover the labs that may be helpful for patients who are 65 and over. Patients in this age group might experience multiple chronic health conditions. Studies suggest that up to 98% of people older than 60 years old have ‘multimorbidity’ or more than two chronic health conditions. As people age, the likelihood of experiencing multiple health conditions increases. Therefore, it’s important to offer comprehensive care that involves regular lab testing to help these patients manage their health effectively. Functional labs can be valuable tools for healthcare providers to help guide personalized care plans for older adults, potentially supporting improved health outcomes and quality of life. This article will cover functional labs that may be beneficial for older patients to help them manage their health and support overall well-being.
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Who Are Geriatric Patients?
Currently, there is no specific age that defines geriatric patients. From a medical standpoint, patients are often considered “geriatric” at the age of 65 and older. However, this may not be entirely accurate as health varies with any age group, and other factors need to be considered along with age. The term geriatrics also considers factors such as frailty and activities of daily living (ADL). These factors may influence when patients should consider seeing a geriatrician as their primary care provider. Patients might consider seeing a geriatrician if they experience a decline in functionality that increases their vulnerability to disability or frailty, making daily activities challenging. This population has unique health needs that can be addressed by specialists such as geriatricians, who can develop comprehensive care plans to help manage multiple health conditions, support function, and address cognitive issues. Although patients are often considered geriatric at the age of 65, most patients who see a geriatrician are ages 75 and older.
What Are Common Conditions That This Population Experiences?
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a common condition among geriatric patients. As previously mentioned, this patient base is more likely to have multiple health conditions. Here are some of the common conditions or health concerns that this population experiences:
- Dementia
- Delirium
- Recurrent falls
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Weight changes
- Urinary incontinence
- Anemia
- Arthritis
- Diabetes
- Chronic pain
- Digestive issues
- Chronic fatigue
- Sleep disturbances
What Are The Benefits of Regular Lab Testing For Geriatric Patients?
There is no specific age requirement to be considered geriatric. As we age, our ability to function and perform daily tasks can start to decline. Older adults may have additional health concerns that younger adults don’t have, as illnesses, medications, and diseases may affect this population differently. Regular lab testing can provide insights into the underlying factors contributing to their multiple conditions. These tests can help personalize a care plan that addresses their specific needs to support health management. They can also give valuable insights so that various care options can be presented to these patients to support their overall health. This collaboration in care can help patients feel empowered and in control of their health choices.
Top Labs To Consider Bi-Annually For Geriatric Patients
Functional labs can help older adults address their specific health needs and goals. These are the top labs to consider running bi-annually for geriatric patients:
Basic Blood Panel
The basic blood panel consists of a Complete Blood Count (CBC) and Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP). A CBC and a CMP can help establish a baseline of overall health and assess for conditions that may contribute to chronic fatigue in older adults. A CBC measures immune and red blood cells, and abnormalities can indicate conditions like anemia that can be common for these patients. A CMP will assess kidney and liver function along with other metabolic functions. These tests can help assess and manage conditions associated with this group.
Comprehensive CardioMetabolic Screening
A primary health concern is that almost 70% of geriatric patients may experience CVD along with other conditions. Evaluating cardiovascular markers and other health markers is an essential part of comprehensive care for this population. The Comprehensive CardioMetabolic Test provides an extensive profile of cardiovascular and metabolic health with insights into the relevant markers for many conditions that older adults are at risk for. It helps to assess the risk of conditions such as CVD and diabetes. Assessing for diabetes is also important for older adults, as diabetes complications can have a negative impact on balance and mobility. This test also measures levels of inflammation, which can be indicated in patients who have chronic pain or arthritis. Inflammation is also a main characteristic of many chronic conditions that affect this group. These markers should be screened regularly for these patients to help support their cardiovascular and metabolic health and manage chronic low-grade inflammation.
Micronutrient Panel
Inadequate nutrition is a widespread issue for older patients. Nutritional deficiencies can also impact overall health and may contribute to the development of other chronic conditions that affect these patients. The micronutrient panel can help assess the patient's nutrient status. It analyzes over 40 nutrients, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and amino acids needed for proper body function. The results of this test can help create targeted nutritional interventions to support adequate nutrient levels for this set of patients. This test should be routinely considered in practice for geriatric patients.
Thyroid Panel
Thyroid changes are common in aging individuals, potentially affecting function and energy levels. It can also influence cognitive function and mood, including anxiety and depression. This thyroid panel evaluates eight different thyroid hormones, including TSH, T4, T3, and Anti-TPO. A comprehensive thyroid panel should be regularly considered for geriatric patients as imbalances in these hormones can affect their cognitive and metabolic function. Regular monitoring can allow for strategies to support balanced thyroid levels and improve related symptoms for these patients.
Gastrointestinal (GI) Profile
GI issues in elderly patients are common. This population is at risk for various GI disorders, including ulcers, IBD, IBS, and Celiac. Analyzing overall gut health and function in older adults can be beneficial if they have digestive complaints. GI Effects is a functional lab that assesses digestion, inflammation, the health of the microbiome, and immune function. This stool test also provides a screening on microbe sensitivity to various prescription medications and supplements that may be helpful for patients who may already be on multiple treatments, so precise approaches can be made to support their digestive health.
Hypothalamic-Pituitary-Adrenal (HPA) Axis Test
During the course of aging, the HPA axis may be disrupted, which can lead to changes in health outcomes in older adults. This disruption can impact sleep patterns in these individuals and reduce their quality of sleep. The HPA axis can also affect stress responses and regulation in this population, decreasing their resilience to stress. The DUTCH Plus test can assess HPA function for these patients. This is a simple urine test that they can collect at home. This test offers insights into stress hormones responsible for regulating energy production, sleep, mood, metabolism, and other issues that may affect geriatric patients. This information can help determine strategies to support the management of HPA function for these individuals and enhance their overall quality of life.
Additional Labs to Consider
Other additional tests to consider for geriatric patients include a mammography screening for women older than 65, a colonoscopy for patients 50 and older, and continued blood pressure monitoring. These tests have been shown to support health outcomes for this population and are considered typical screenings for this age group.
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Summary
As the population ages, the risk of health conditions increases. Geriatric patients often have multiple conditions that need to be addressed, contributing to the clinical complexity of these patients. Although there isn’t an age specification for geriatric patients, most geriatricians have patients who are aged 75 or older. This population has overlapping health conditions that require comprehensive care approaches. As part of this care approach, functional labs can offer guidance on personalized care plans to address the health needs of this group. These tests can monitor various health conditions to help support their health outcomes. Providing the options for these tests can also allow a collaborative approach with these patients and have them feel empowered in their care.
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