Frequently Asked Questions

The average family doctor, internal medicine doctor or primary care health care provider has been trained to diagnose and treat diseases. They have never been trained to assess the health status of the patient. 

This presents a problem not only for healthy patients who want to optimise their health and prevent future diseases, but also for everyone who thinks that they are “healthy” until suddenly one day there are not. 

In today’s fast moving health and “longevity medicine” landscape there are an increasingly wide array of tests that are offered to help people assess their health and longevity. Other tests such as liquid biopsies for the early diagnosis of cancer will become the standard of care in the coming years. 

We are at the cusp of an unprecedented evolution in healthcare. AI powered algorithms will become the norm to help clinicians and individuals analyse health data to give personalised health advice and recommendations. 

At The Expat MD we are embracing this health revolution and are here to support our clients on their health journey. 

By preventing diseases from developing in the first place or diagnosing them very early so they can be treated effectively, our aim is to health support our clients live a life for a long as possible in optimal health. 

Multiple providers offer “health checks”. There are a variety of radiological and blood biomarkers that used to tell a person whether they are “healthy” or not. 

The financial means of clients vary, and one size does not fit all. Some of the best tests are low cost and many of the health optimization measures clients can take are within the reach of the vast majority of clients. 

On the other hand, there are cutting edge technologies and diagnostic tests which can add a significant cost to a health check. 

Deciding which one to have and interpret is complicated and by having a guided personalised consultation to navigate which one suits your health and financial means allows you to have your own optimal health check. 

Numerous studies have shown that caloric restriction, regular exercise, sleep optimization, great social connections and a good whole foods diet can slow down the aging process. Genetics in older age (over 80 years) also play a role, but the younger you are, the less genetics matter. Once you have the basics dialed in, other interventions such as supplements, hyperbaric oxygen, sauna use, heavy metal detoxification, nutrient optimisation, hormone replacement therapy, microbiome optimisation and other state of the art interventions can also be considered. 

Every person’s genetics, circumstances and priorities are unique, so having a personalised consultation to find out what would be the most beneficial to you is invaluable. 

The national recommendations in most countries include colon cancer screening (FIT test or a colonoscopy), breast cancer screening (mammography) and cervical cancer screening (Pap tests). Lung cancer screening for heavy smokers has been introduced in the USA and in the UK and is being considered in Switzerland. Prostate cancer screening may or may not be offered by your doctor depending on your personal risk factors and symptoms. 

However, 80% of cancers that occur in people are not screened for at all and usually present quite late in the disease process, with often devastating consequences. It often takes decades for research to be translated into clinical practice because it takes that long to prove a beneficial effect on a population. 

Technologies such as full body MRI scans and cutting edge tests called liquid biopsies for cancers such as the Galleri blood test and Trucheck360 Intelli test are now available. Ideally, a client should have a nuanced conversation with a doctor to decide whether they would be a good fit for these tests. 

There are a variety of tests that you can purchase that are able to calculate your “biological age”. It is debated whether they are truly measuring your actual biological age but they are certainly useful clinically in assessing your health status. 

Depending on your budget you could either opt for one or several, which all give different metrics ranging from your immunological health, different body systems (e.g. liver, kidney, brain, hormone etc.). Other detailed analyses are also available from research laboratories from across the world. 

At The Expat MD, we used deep learning AI algorithms to assess your biological age and use a combination of various tests to try to assess your true health status. 

“Prevention is better than cure” is true for all diseases that humans ultimately succumb to. One can spend an enormous amount on money on the wrong testing. I have come across patients on modest means that have spent vast sums on tests that were either unnecessary, complete quackery or brought no value to the individuals. 

Many basic tests of longevity/optimal health are cheaply available, some are covered by your own health care systems and the basic “fancy” longevity tests cost in the order of hundreds of Francs/GBPs/USD, not thousands. 

The predatory system of health testing is increasingly difficult to navigate with many companies exploiting patient’s fears and lack of medical knowledge. 

In the Longevity Medicine space there are many offers and promises of extending life span. The more invasive or high tech a procedure is, the more it often appeals. 

At The Expat MD, we follow the published research and are guided by cutting edge research. Practicing medicine ethically and responsibly is at the heart of what we do and no therapy, supplement, medication, hormone replacement or investigation will be offered to you without a full discussion of the risks and benefits. 

It is very easy to get attracted to high tech solutions, but there is no quick fix. What will add a decade or more of great health to your life is all the boring stuff! The rest is the icing on the cake. The key is the motivation to change your habits bit by bit. 

Working out your baseline, making small changes, avoiding ill health and regularly retesting will help you stay not only healthy, but will allow you to life your best life.