Changes in Vit D test
The new eligibility criteria for Vit D test under Medicare are for investigation of a patient who:
(a) has signs or symptoms of osteoporosis or osteomalacia; or
(b) has increased alkaline phosphatase and otherwise normal liver function tests; or
(c) has hyperparathyroidism, hypo- or hypercalcaemia, or hypophosphataemia; or
(d) is suffering from malabsorption (for example, because the patient has cystic fibrosis, short bowel
syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease or untreated coeliac disease, or has had bariatric surgery); or
(e) has deeply pigmented skin, or chronic and severe lack of sun exposure for cultural, medical,
occupational or residential reasons; or
(f) is taking medication known to decrease 25OH-D levels (for example, anticonvulsants); or
(g) has chronic renal failure or is a renal transplant recipient; or
(h) is less than 16 years of age and has signs or symptoms of rickets; or
(i) is an infant whose mother has established vitamin D deficiency; or
(j) is an exclusively breastfed baby and has at least one other risk factor mentioned in a paragraph
in this item; or
(k) has a sibling who is less than 16 years of age and has vitamin D deficiency
Health check
When a person reach age of 50, a doctor will normally ask to have a proper health check if he or she never had one done before. The recommended health check should include:
- Blood pressure
- Blood tests for fasting cholesterol, sugar, full blood count, electrolytes, kidney function, liver function tests
- Iron studies, vitamin B12, thyroid function test, folic acid, PSA and Vitamin D level are subject to patient's condition. A doctor will need to ask question to justify these tests are necessary
- Skin check especially Caucasians to look for skin cancer such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma and etc
- *Faecal occult blood test to detect bowel cancer
GP mental health plan
GP mental health plan is service that entitle a patient access to psychologist due to mental health illness. As this is one of the most claim item, I would like to make everyone aware how this system works.
Vitamins a waste of money
A study done by experts in UK and US on Vitamins supplement states do not improve general health well being. Instead, it is a waste of money.
An Australian Doctor publish a news as below:
The first paper by researchers from Harvard University aimed to determine whether long-term multivitamin use could help prevent age-related cognitive impairment.