I'm a doctor: The medical tests people waste money on
Many people believe that more medical tests mean better healthcare. As a doctor, I often see patients spending thousands of rupees on investigations they may not actually need.
Editor’s Note: In this fortnightly column, top doctors share how they deal with their own health challenges, offering readers expert insight grounded in experience. Read more such stories here.
When patients visit my clinic, many of them proudly bring thick folders filled with blood reports, scans, and annual health check-up results. They tell me they have completed a "full-body check-up" because they want to stay healthy and catch diseases early. I always appreciate that they care about their health. Preventive healthcare is one of the best investments anyone can make.
However, I also explain something that surprises many people: more medical tests do not automatically mean better healthcare.
Today, health check-up packages are advertised everywhere. Hospitals, diagnostic centres, and online platforms promote comprehensive screening packages that promise to detect every possible disease. While these offers may sound reassuring, they can also create a false impression that every test is useful for everyone.
The reality is very different. Every medical test has a purpose, and every test should be ordered only when there is a good medical reason. When unnecessary tests are done, they can produce false-positive results, leading to worry, repeat testing, expensive scans, and even treatments that were never needed in the first place.
As doctors, our goal is not to order the maximum number of tests. Our goal is to recommend the right investigations based on a person's age, symptoms, medical history, family history, and lifestyle. Good healthcare is personalised, not packaged.
Here are some of the medical tests that I believe people often spend money on unnecessarily.
FULL-BODY HEALTH CHECK-UP PACKAGES ARE NOT NECESSARY FOR EVERYONE
One of the most common misconceptions I come across is that every healthy adult should undergo an extensive annual full-body health check-up.
These packages often include dozens of blood tests, urine tests, imaging studies, heart tests, and even cancer markers. While they may appear comprehensive, many of these investigations provide little useful information for someone who is young, healthy, and has no symptoms or major risk factors.
People often ask me, "Doctor, isn't it better to know everything about my health?"
My answer is simple. It is important to know the things that actually matter. But testing for conditions that are extremely unlikely or searching for diseases without any medical indication may do more harm than good.
Some test results may come back slightly abnormal even though there is no real disease. These are known as false positives. Once an abnormal result appears on a report, patients naturally become anxious. They may undergo repeat blood tests, expensive scans, specialist consultations, or even invasive procedures, all because of a finding that was never dangerous to begin with.
Instead of buying the largest health package available, I always encourage people to first speak with their doctor. A personalised health assessment is usually far more valuable than a standard package.
VITAMIN D, VITAMIN B12 AND THYROID TESTS ARE FREQUENTLY OVERUSED
Another trend I have noticed over the past few years is the increasing demand for vitamin D, vitamin B12, and thyroid function tests.
Many people request these tests every year simply because they have heard about them on social media or because a friend was diagnosed with a deficiency.
These tests certainly have an important role in medicine. If someone has symptoms such as persistent fatigue, muscle weakness, tingling in the hands or feet, bone pain, unexplained weight changes, hair loss, or other signs that suggest a vitamin deficiency or thyroid disorder, testing is appropriate.
Similarly, people with certain medical conditions, specific dietary restrictions, pregnancy, or a strong family history may benefit from these investigations.
However, in healthy people without symptoms or recognised risk factors, routinely repeating these blood tests every year often adds very little value.
Rather than testing everyone, I believe we should investigate only when there is a genuine clinical reason. This approach not only saves money but also prevents unnecessary worry over borderline or clinically insignificant results.
TUMOUR MARKER BLOOD TESTS AND ADVANCED SCANS ARE OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD
Many people believe tumour marker blood tests can detect cancer at an early stage. Unfortunately, this is one of the biggest misconceptions I encounter.
Tumour markers are generally designed to help monitor certain cancers after they have already been diagnosed or treated. They are not reliable screening tests for healthy people.
A raised tumour marker does not necessarily mean someone has cancer. Likewise, a normal result does not completely rule it out. Because these tests are not accurate enough for routine screening, using them without medical advice can create unnecessary panic and lead to further investigations that may have never been required.
The same principle applies to advanced imaging tests such as CT scans and MRI scans.
These are excellent diagnostic tools when a doctor suspects a particular disease based on symptoms or examination findings. However, they should not become part of routine health screening simply because they are available.
CT scans also expose patients to radiation, which is another reason they should only be performed when medically necessary. Every investigation should answer an important clinical question rather than being done "just to be safe."
HEART TESTS AND PSA SCREENING SHOULD BE INDIVIDUALISED
Another area where I often see unnecessary testing is heart screening.
Many healthy adults undergo yearly ECGs, echocardiograms, treadmill stress tests, or other cardiac investigations despite having no symptoms, no family history, and no significant cardiovascular risk factors.
While these tests are extremely valuable for diagnosing heart disease in the right patients, they are not designed to be routine screening tools for everyone.
Similarly, many men ask for the PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) blood test because they believe it is a simple way to prevent prostate cancer.
The reality is more complicated.
PSA testing has both benefits and limitations. In some men, it may help detect prostate cancer early. In others, it may identify slow-growing cancers that would never have caused symptoms during their lifetime. This can lead to unnecessary biopsies, treatments, and anxiety.
That is why I always recommend discussing the advantages and disadvantages of PSA screening with a doctor before deciding whether it is appropriate.
Good screening is based on informed decisions, not fear.
THE RIGHT TEST AT THE RIGHT TIME IS WHAT TRULY PROTECTS YOUR HEALTH
If there is one message I want every reader to remember, it is this: healthcare should never follow a one-size-fits-all approach.
Every individual has a different health profile. Your age, gender, family history, occupation, lifestyle, smoking status, alcohol intake, existing medical conditions, and personal risk factors all influence which medical tests you actually need.
A healthy 25-year-old does not require the same investigations as a 60-year-old living with diabetes or high blood pressure. Likewise, someone with a strong family history of heart disease or cancer may need different screening recommendations compared to someone with no such history.
Instead of spending large amounts of money on extensive health packages, I encourage people to invest in regular consultations with their physician. Together, you can develop a personalised screening plan that focuses on proven preventive care.
This includes regular blood pressure monitoring, diabetes screening when appropriate, cholesterol testing, age-specific cancer screening, vaccinations, maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, balanced nutrition, quality sleep, and avoiding tobacco.
These simple evidence-based measures have a far greater impact on long-term health than an unnecessary list of investigations.
As a doctor, I firmly believe that the smartest healthcare decisions are not about doing more tests; they are about doing the right tests at the right time, for the right person. That approach not only saves money but also prevents unnecessary anxiety while helping people focus on what truly matters: living a healthier and longer life.
(Dr Amit Prakash Singh, Consultant - Internal Medicine at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi)
Editor’s Note: In this fortnightly column, top doctors share how they deal with their own health challenges, offering readers expert insight grounded in experience. Read more such stories here.
When patients visit my clinic, many of them proudly bring thick folders filled with blood reports, scans, and annual health check-up results. They tell me they have completed a "full-body check-up" because they want to stay healthy and catch diseases early. I always appreciate that they care about their health. Preventive healthcare is one of the best investments anyone can make.
However, I also explain something that surprises many people: more medical tests do not automatically mean better healthcare.
Today, health check-up packages are advertised everywhere. Hospitals, diagnostic centres, and online platforms promote comprehensive screening packages that promise to detect every possible disease. While these offers may sound reassuring, they can also create a false impression that every test is useful for everyone.
The reality is very different. Every medical test has a purpose, and every test should be ordered only when there is a good medical reason. When unnecessary tests are done, they can produce false-positive results, leading to worry, repeat testing, expensive scans, and even treatments that were never needed in the first place.
As doctors, our goal is not to order the maximum number of tests. Our goal is to recommend the right investigations based on a person's age, symptoms, medical history, family history, and lifestyle. Good healthcare is personalised, not packaged.
Here are some of the medical tests that I believe people often spend money on unnecessarily.
FULL-BODY HEALTH CHECK-UP PACKAGES ARE NOT NECESSARY FOR EVERYONE
One of the most common misconceptions I come across is that every healthy adult should undergo an extensive annual full-body health check-up.
These packages often include dozens of blood tests, urine tests, imaging studies, heart tests, and even cancer markers. While they may appear comprehensive, many of these investigations provide little useful information for someone who is young, healthy, and has no symptoms or major risk factors.
People often ask me, "Doctor, isn't it better to know everything about my health?"
My answer is simple. It is important to know the things that actually matter. But testing for conditions that are extremely unlikely or searching for diseases without any medical indication may do more harm than good.
Some test results may come back slightly abnormal even though there is no real disease. These are known as false positives. Once an abnormal result appears on a report, patients naturally become anxious. They may undergo repeat blood tests, expensive scans, specialist consultations, or even invasive procedures, all because of a finding that was never dangerous to begin with.
Instead of buying the largest health package available, I always encourage people to first speak with their doctor. A personalised health assessment is usually far more valuable than a standard package.
VITAMIN D, VITAMIN B12 AND THYROID TESTS ARE FREQUENTLY OVERUSED
Another trend I have noticed over the past few years is the increasing demand for vitamin D, vitamin B12, and thyroid function tests.
Many people request these tests every year simply because they have heard about them on social media or because a friend was diagnosed with a deficiency.
These tests certainly have an important role in medicine. If someone has symptoms such as persistent fatigue, muscle weakness, tingling in the hands or feet, bone pain, unexplained weight changes, hair loss, or other signs that suggest a vitamin deficiency or thyroid disorder, testing is appropriate.
Similarly, people with certain medical conditions, specific dietary restrictions, pregnancy, or a strong family history may benefit from these investigations.
However, in healthy people without symptoms or recognised risk factors, routinely repeating these blood tests every year often adds very little value.
Rather than testing everyone, I believe we should investigate only when there is a genuine clinical reason. This approach not only saves money but also prevents unnecessary worry over borderline or clinically insignificant results.
TUMOUR MARKER BLOOD TESTS AND ADVANCED SCANS ARE OFTEN MISUNDERSTOOD
Many people believe tumour marker blood tests can detect cancer at an early stage. Unfortunately, this is one of the biggest misconceptions I encounter.
Tumour markers are generally designed to help monitor certain cancers after they have already been diagnosed or treated. They are not reliable screening tests for healthy people.
A raised tumour marker does not necessarily mean someone has cancer. Likewise, a normal result does not completely rule it out. Because these tests are not accurate enough for routine screening, using them without medical advice can create unnecessary panic and lead to further investigations that may have never been required.
The same principle applies to advanced imaging tests such as CT scans and MRI scans.
These are excellent diagnostic tools when a doctor suspects a particular disease based on symptoms or examination findings. However, they should not become part of routine health screening simply because they are available.
CT scans also expose patients to radiation, which is another reason they should only be performed when medically necessary. Every investigation should answer an important clinical question rather than being done "just to be safe."
HEART TESTS AND PSA SCREENING SHOULD BE INDIVIDUALISED
Another area where I often see unnecessary testing is heart screening.
Many healthy adults undergo yearly ECGs, echocardiograms, treadmill stress tests, or other cardiac investigations despite having no symptoms, no family history, and no significant cardiovascular risk factors.
While these tests are extremely valuable for diagnosing heart disease in the right patients, they are not designed to be routine screening tools for everyone.
Similarly, many men ask for the PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) blood test because they believe it is a simple way to prevent prostate cancer.
The reality is more complicated.
PSA testing has both benefits and limitations. In some men, it may help detect prostate cancer early. In others, it may identify slow-growing cancers that would never have caused symptoms during their lifetime. This can lead to unnecessary biopsies, treatments, and anxiety.
That is why I always recommend discussing the advantages and disadvantages of PSA screening with a doctor before deciding whether it is appropriate.
Good screening is based on informed decisions, not fear.
THE RIGHT TEST AT THE RIGHT TIME IS WHAT TRULY PROTECTS YOUR HEALTH
If there is one message I want every reader to remember, it is this: healthcare should never follow a one-size-fits-all approach.
Every individual has a different health profile. Your age, gender, family history, occupation, lifestyle, smoking status, alcohol intake, existing medical conditions, and personal risk factors all influence which medical tests you actually need.
A healthy 25-year-old does not require the same investigations as a 60-year-old living with diabetes or high blood pressure. Likewise, someone with a strong family history of heart disease or cancer may need different screening recommendations compared to someone with no such history.
Instead of spending large amounts of money on extensive health packages, I encourage people to invest in regular consultations with their physician. Together, you can develop a personalised screening plan that focuses on proven preventive care.
This includes regular blood pressure monitoring, diabetes screening when appropriate, cholesterol testing, age-specific cancer screening, vaccinations, maintaining a healthy weight, regular exercise, balanced nutrition, quality sleep, and avoiding tobacco.
These simple evidence-based measures have a far greater impact on long-term health than an unnecessary list of investigations.
As a doctor, I firmly believe that the smartest healthcare decisions are not about doing more tests; they are about doing the right tests at the right time, for the right person. That approach not only saves money but also prevents unnecessary anxiety while helping people focus on what truly matters: living a healthier and longer life.
(Dr Amit Prakash Singh, Consultant - Internal Medicine at CK Birla Hospital, Delhi)
