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New Recommendation for Women's Health Screening

© Keri

On November 30, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) issued new guidelines for health screenings for women. The new guidelines recommend expanded testing for diabetes, HIV and hepatitis C. ACOG now recommends that all women over the age of 45 should have a fasting glucose test to screen for diabetes. The definition of women at high risk for HIV has been expanded to include all women with invasive cervical cancer and recommends that all women considering having a child should be tested for HIV.

ACOG recommends that clinicians include routine questions about the use of complementary and alternative medicines, i.e., herbal remedies, etc. Also new is the recommendation that all women be questions about urinary and fecal incontinence, leaking urine or stool. Gonorrhea is still a health threat for sexually active teens and women at high risk for sexually transmitted disease. ACOG now recommends routine testing even when symptoms are not present.

Hepatitis in all forms is also a health threat for women. Sexual contact, illegal drug use, blood transfusions or organ transplants before 1992 can increase the risk of acquiring hepatitis A and C. ACOG recommends all at risk women over the age of 13 should be routinely tested. ACOG continues to recommend annual pap smears and pelvic exams, beginning at age 18 or earlier if sexually active. Routine mammograms for low risk women every 1 to 2 years in their 40s and annually thereafter. It is also recommended that girls receive their first preventative ob-gyn visit between the ages of 13 and 15.

Granted these are important issues for women. By issuing recommendations ACOG has defined the standard of care by which ob-gyn practice is measured. But, in my opinion, they missed a very important issue, the routine screening for thyroid disease. Thyroid disease occurs in as many as 10% of all women. A simple blood test could catch the problem before it generated such life changing symptoms. Once again, it is left to women to find the answers and demand the appropriate care.

Learn the symptoms of thyroid disease. If you are experiencing any of those symptoms or have a family history, ask to be tested. If you are undergoing treatment, make sure your ob-gyn knows about it. Especially, if you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. In that case, your thyroid levels must be carefully monitored. If you are taking thyroxine and estrogen replacement, it is necessary to monitor your thyroid levels as estrogen decreases the amount of thyroid available for your body.