Most of my patients who skip their annual physical give me the same reason: "I feel fine."
That's exactly the wrong reason to skip it.
Annual physicals aren't just for people who feel sick. They're the most powerful preventive tool we have — catching problems before they cause symptoms, when they're easiest to treat.
What We Actually Check
An annual physical at ParikhHealth isn't a 10-minute box-check. Here's what a thorough exam covers:
Vital signs — but we go deeper than the numbers. Blood pressure, heart rate, oxygen saturation, weight, BMI. But we also talk about trends — is your blood pressure creeping up over the past three years? Is your weight stable? These patterns matter more than a single reading.
Lab work. A comprehensive metabolic panel, complete blood count, lipid panel, thyroid function, and HbA1c (diabetes screening) are standard for most adults. Depending on your age and risk factors, we add vitamin D, iron studies, or other markers.
Preventive screenings. Based on your age, sex, and family history, we make sure you're current on: colonoscopy, mammogram, DEXA bone density scan, skin checks, lung cancer screening if you're a current or former smoker, and more.
Immunizations. We review your vaccine history and make sure you're current — flu shot, Tdap, shingles vaccine (Shingrix for 50+), pneumococcal vaccines, and COVID boosters.
Medication review. Every medication, supplement, and over-the-counter drug you take. We look for interactions, redundancy, and medications you may no longer need.
Mental health screening. Depression and anxiety are common and often missed at other practices. We use validated screening tools — PHQ-9 for depression, GAD-7 for anxiety — and talk about what's going on in your life.
What I'm Actually Looking For
When I'm doing your physical, I'm not just checking boxes. I'm building a longitudinal picture of your health. The most valuable thing about an annual physical is the comparison — what's changed since last year?
A blood pressure of 138/88 in isolation is borderline. A blood pressure of 138/88 that was 118/72 three years ago is a trend that needs attention now, before it becomes hypertension that requires medication.
The Screenings People Skip
Colonoscopy. Most adults should start at 45, earlier if you have a family history of colon cancer. This is one of the few cancers where we can prevent it entirely by removing precancerous polyps. The prep is annoying. The procedure is nothing. The stakes are your life.
Mammogram. Current guidelines recommend starting at 40 for average-risk women, 30 if you have a family history. Don't wait to be told by another doctor — ask us to order it.
Skin check. If you live in California and spend time outdoors, you should have a full-body skin exam annually. Melanoma is highly curable when caught early and fatal when caught late.
How to Prepare for Your Annual Physical
- Fast for 8-12 hours before bloodwork (water is fine).
- Bring a list of all your medications — including supplements, vitamins, and anything you buy at Whole Foods.
- Write down your questions. You'll forget them in the room. Write them down the week before.
- Know your family history. Parents, siblings, grandparents — any history of heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or mental illness is relevant.
- Be honest. I can't help you if you tell me you drink "occasionally" when you mean nightly.
How Often Should You Get a Physical?
- Ages 18-39: Every 2-3 years if healthy, annually if you have chronic conditions or risk factors.
- Ages 40+: Annually.
- Athletes and concierge members: We often do a more comprehensive annual exam that includes performance-focused lab work and a functional fitness assessment.
Your annual physical is an investment in your future self. Book yours at ParikhHealth — we're accepting new patients at 408-266-3100.