When I agreed to take part in a series of tests at Alexandra Hospital’s Healthy Longevity Clinic for this article, I knew what I was getting myself into. Or I thought I did.
The fear of the results was palpable. I kept thinking of hyperboles. Would the clinicians notice abnormalities? Would they put me in a stretcher to be admitted immediately?
It was a very calm experience, as the friendly specialists at the six testing stations knew exactly what they were saying.
“How are you feeling, Ms Chantal? I hope you’re okay?”
This was an excellent opener. No one addressed me as “madam”. And there was none of that gendered ageism or “lookism” (judging people according to their looks) at this clinic.
I did five tests for the clinicians to get an immediate readout on my health. One test was a full body scan, which was only for illustration purposes as it would take some time to calculate.
Full body scans have been popular on social media. American celebrities like Kim Kardashian, Paris Hilton, and Cindy Crawford posted about how they gained peace of mind by using a variety of imaging scans that detect early signs of disease, such as breast carcinoma.
I put on a robe to simulate a Dexa session. The Dexa is a dual energy X-ray scan that uses low dose X-rays to analyze body fat composition and bone density.
Mr Lim Seong Yong, senior radiographer at AH’s Diagnostic Imaging Centre, patiently posed for photographs as my imagination ran riot over what the scan would pick up.
Would it reveal a porous bone with degenerative disease? Would it detect dark masses associated with The Big C or would it not?
It’s not the kind of stuff that would make me pose like Kardashian in August on Instagram, when she boasted about her low body-fat percentage and strong bones.
I laid there, vulnerable, and refused to run. I have written this for you, dear readers.
I had to omit some biomarker assessments such as blood age (determined through a standard panel of blood tests and then calculated using AI algorithms), as the results would arrive long after this article is published. Some of these tests are sent to AH laboratories and others to external labs in Singapore and other countries. Results are usually returned within two to four weeks.
I performed the Dynamometer Handgrip Test, where I squeezed an object that was being monitored by Er BiawThean, a senior staff nurse.
Ms Er noted that, for my vintage age, readings are usually below 30kg. She pointed out, however, that I had weighed 34kg and asked Dr Laureen, the director of clinic, to analyze the results.
I then went through the Pulse Wave Velocity assessment to find out the age of my blood vessels, through taking blood pressure readings from my right arm, left thigh and neck. This was to measure how fast the pulse travels in the major blood vessels, which is related to how stiff the vessels are.
After that, it was the Bioelectrical Impedance Assessment (BIA), where electrodes were strapped to my ankles, middle fingers and thumbs.
The tests that showed both positive and negative results needed to be combined to get a better picture of my health.
Some of the less-than-humble braggings were triumphs.
“The handgrip reading, together with your BIA results, shows that you have been exercising regularly to maintain your muscle mass in your core and limbs,” observed Dr Wang. “In fact, your muscle mass is better than expected compared with peers in your age group.”
Score!
She suggested I continue my daily Yoga routine for good muscle and bone strength, and to eat more fish, such as salmon, kale and Spinach, which contain calcium and Vitamin D.
I left the room beaming, full of third-quarter resolutions. I would increase my intake of the right foods and practice more Surya Namaskar deep yoga stretches.
I was then bundled into other rooms to undergo more tests, in an attempt to put together a mash-up of my age.
The Advanced Glycation End-products Reader was next, which determined skin autofluorescence using sugar molecules. I put my left forearm in the machine that looked like a desktop with a slot. A beam of ultraviolet radiation passed through my forearm.
This test can give doctors an indication of chronic diseases such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease. The results showed that I was in the “red zone”, meaning I had a high percentage of sugar molecules, though I do not suffer from diabetes or hypertension.
Cheryl Tan, my health coach, reassured me that this was only a preliminary scan. It would be repeated after lifestyle changes and further testing. Okay, some comfort. I put the scan away for future use.
The last test involved an exercise and shower-proof wearable device for monitoring heart functions, which was glued to my chest for 24 hours, starting from that afternoon – a Monday. The duration of treatment depends on the person being treated.
The readings of the tests were interpreted two days later by Dr Wang.