Clinically reviewed by Dr. Ponlawat Pitsuwan, Physician, Takecare Clinic Phuket. Last reviewed: September 2026.
“Many long-stay visitors and retirees in Phuket tell us they have not had a check-up since they left home, sometimes for several years. Others arrive asking for every test on a long list. My approach sits in between: screen for the conditions that are common, silent and treatable at your age, skip tests that cause worry without helping, and make sure nothing important is overdue.” Dr. Ponlawat Pitsuwan
Who a health check-up is for
A health check-up, also called a preventive health screen or annual physical, is for people who feel well but want to find problems early. It suits expats and retirees living in Phuket, digital nomads and long-stay visitors whose home screening has lapsed, people with a family history of heart disease, diabetes or cancer, and anyone who has recently changed lifestyle, gained weight or started drinking more. It is also useful before starting a new exercise programme or diving course, alongside any specific medical form you need. Many clinics and hospitals in Phuket advertise check-up packages; whichever you choose, check that the tests match the age-based recommendations below rather than simply adding more of them, and we confirm the price on WhatsApp before your visit.
A check-up is not the right tool if you are unwell today. If you have a fever, pain or new symptoms, the doctor will deal with those first; for example, a fever in Phuket usually calls for a dengue test in Phuket rather than routine screening, and the check-up can follow once you are better.
What happens during your check-up, step by step
First, a detailed history. The doctor asks about your medical conditions, medicines and supplements, allergies, family history, smoking, alcohol, diet, exercise, sleep and previous screening results. Bring a list of your medicines with doses, and photos or copies of recent results, because comparing with previous numbers is often more useful than a single test.
Next, the examination. We measure blood pressure, pulse, weight, height, body mass index and waist size, listen to your heart and lungs, and examine your abdomen, skin and any area of concern. Then come the tests. A blood sample and urine sample are taken in the clinic, and common results are ready the same day from our on-site laboratory. Finally, the doctor goes through every result with you, explains what is normal and what is not, and gives you a written summary with a clear plan: what to change, what to treat, and when to re-check.
How we build your check-up
Rather than a one-size menu, we build the check-up in layers, and we confirm the price on WhatsApp before you come. The core layer, for most adults, is the history and examination, blood pressure, a complete blood count, fasting glucose or HbA1c, a lipid profile, kidney and liver function, and a urine test. The second layer depends on you: uric acid if you have joint pain or a family history of gout, thyroid function if you are tired or have gained or lost weight, hepatitis B and C and HIV tests if you have never been tested, and a review of your vaccinations. The third layer covers screening that needs specialist equipment, such as mammography, colonoscopy or low-dose CT scans, which we arrange through referral to hospital specialists when your age and risk mean you need them. You can read more about individual tests on our page on blood tests in Phuket.
Recommended screening by age: what the evidence supports
We base our advice on the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), an independent panel that grades screening tests by the strength of evidence, adjusted for your personal risk and for guidance from your home country. The table summarises the main adult recommendations.
| Screening | Who | How often |
|---|---|---|
| Blood pressure | All adults 18 and over | Yearly from 40 or if at higher risk; every 3 to 5 years at 18 to 39 if normal |
| Prediabetes and type 2 diabetes | Adults 35 to 70 who are overweight or obese | About every 3 years if normal |
| Cholesterol and heart risk | Adults 40 to 75, earlier with risk factors | Every few years to guide statin decisions |
| Colorectal cancer | Adults 45 to 75 | Stool test yearly, or colonoscopy every 10 years |
| Breast cancer (mammography) | Women 40 to 74 | Every 2 years |
| Cervical cancer | Women 21 to 65 | Cytology every 3 years from 21; from 30, HPV test every 5 years is an option |
| Lung cancer (low-dose CT) | Adults 50 to 80 with a 20 pack-year smoking history who smoke or quit within 15 years | Yearly |
| Hepatitis C and HIV | Hepatitis C: adults 18 to 79; HIV: 15 to 65 | At least once; more often if at ongoing risk |
| Osteoporosis | Women 65 and over, younger postmenopausal women at risk | Bone density scan, interval set by result |
| Abdominal aortic aneurysm | Men 65 to 75 who have ever smoked | Once, by ultrasound |
Prostate cancer screening with a PSA blood test is a personal decision for men aged 55 to 69 after discussing the benefits and harms with a doctor, and we are happy to have that conversation. Some things are deliberately not on the list: routine whole-body scans, tumour marker panels in people without symptoms and yearly chest X-rays in non-smokers are not recommended, because false alarms lead to anxiety and invasive follow-up tests without saving lives.
Phuket-specific points for check-ups
Life in Phuket brings its own risks that we factor in. Heat and alcohol are both part of island life, and we often find raised liver enzymes and triglycerides in people who have been here a few months. Sun exposure is constant, so a skin check for new or changing moles is worth asking for. Scooter use makes tetanus status important, and dengue, rabies and hepatitis A are relevant for anyone staying long term, so we review which vaccinations in Phuket you are due for.
A raised uric acid level is another common finding, especially with seafood, beer and dehydration in the heat. It does not always need treatment, but if you have had a painful swollen joint, particularly the big toe, see our page on gout treatment.
When to see a doctor
A check-up is for people who feel well. Do not wait for one if you have warning symptoms: chest pain or pressure on exertion, breathlessness, unexplained weight loss, a lump anywhere, blood in your stool or urine, a change in bowel habit for more than three weeks, persistent cough, a new or changing mole, or bleeding after the menopause. Those need a same-day or next-day consultation, not a scheduled screen.
Call 1669 or go to a hospital emergency department for chest pain at rest, sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arm or leg, slurred speech, sudden severe headache or collapse.
Prevention and early detection
A check-up is only as useful as what happens afterwards. The most effective changes we recommend are specific: stopping smoking, keeping alcohol within low-risk limits, 150 minutes a week of moderate activity (early morning or evening walks and swimming work well in Phuket’s heat), and treating raised blood pressure, cholesterol or blood sugar when your overall risk justifies it. Early detection means repeating tests at the right interval, not every test every year. Real wellness is built on these few measurable steps rather than supplements or detox programmes, and they are what protect your long-term health.
Keep a copy of your results and set a reminder for your next due date. If you move between countries, a written summary helps your next doctor continue where we left off.
Visiting Takecare Clinic in Phuket
You can have a check-up at any branch, 24 hours a day, without an appointment: Bangtao branch in Cherngtalay, Kata-Karon clinic or Patong clinic. For fasting blood tests, an early morning visit before breakfast is easiest, and because we never close you can come whenever suits you.
WhatsApp us to tell us your age, any conditions and what you would like checked, and we will suggest a sensible set of tests and confirm the price. You can also call 081-718-9080. Villa residents who prefer not to travel can ask about a doctor hotel visit in Phuket for the consultation and sample collection.
Travel insurance generally does not cover routine screening, but some expat health plans do; we provide itemised invoices and a medical report for your claim.
Related services and treatments
If something turns up that needs attention, you can come back to a walk-in doctor in Phuket at any hour for follow-up, repeat tests or treatment, and we refer to hospital specialists when needed.
Summary
A good health check-up is targeted, not exhaustive. At Takecare Clinic Phuket it means a doctor’s history and examination, blood pressure, and blood and urine tests chosen for your age and risks, with same-day results for common tests and specialist screening arranged when you are due. We follow USPSTF intervals, adjust for your family history and life in Phuket, and give you a written plan to take home.
“Bring your old results and your list of medicines. The best check-up is the one that picks up exactly where your last one stopped, and tells you what can safely wait until next time.” Dr. Ponlawat Pitsuwan
Frequently asked questions
What is included in a health check-up at Takecare?
Most adults have a doctor’s history and examination, blood pressure, weight and waist measurement, a complete blood count, blood sugar or HbA1c, cholesterol, kidney and liver function and a urine test. Extra tests, such as uric acid, thyroid, hepatitis or HIV, are added according to your age, symptoms and risks. Specialist screening such as mammography or colonoscopy is arranged by referral.
How much does a health check-up cost in Phuket?
The cost depends on which tests you need, which is why we build each check-up around your age and risk rather than selling fixed bundles you may not need. Message us on WhatsApp with your age and what you would like checked and we will confirm the price before your visit. Travel insurance rarely covers routine screening.
Do I need to fast before my check-up?
If your check-up includes fasting glucose or a lipid profile, fast for 8 to 12 hours beforehand, drinking only plain water. Take your usual medicines unless the doctor has told you otherwise, but ask us first if you take medicine for diabetes. If you forget to fast, we can use HbA1c instead of fasting glucose.
How long does a check-up take, and when do I get results?
The consultation, examination and sample collection usually take under an hour. Common blood and urine results are ready the same day from our on-site laboratory, and the doctor goes through them with you. A few specialised tests take 1 to 3 days, and we will message you when they arrive.
Do I need an appointment?
No. All three branches in Bangtao, Kata and Patong are open 24 hours a day for walk-ins. For a fasting check-up, come early in the morning before eating. A WhatsApp message beforehand lets us suggest the right tests and confirm the price so your visit is quicker.
How often should I have a health check-up?
There is no single answer. Blood pressure should be checked yearly from age 40, diabetes screening every 3 years in adults 35 to 70 who are overweight, and cancer screening at the intervals in the table above. Many healthy adults under 40 need a full check-up only every few years; people with chronic conditions need more regular monitoring.
Sources
USPSTF: Recommendation topics. NHS: NHS Health Check. WHO: Hypertension.
Health check-up, annual physical, preventive health screening, blood pressure, hypertension, body mass index, complete blood count, fasting glucose, HbA1c, prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, lipid profile, cholesterol, statins, liver function, kidney function, uric acid, gout, thyroid function, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, HIV, colorectal cancer screening, colonoscopy, mammography, cervical screening, HPV test, low-dose CT, PSA, osteoporosis, abdominal aortic aneurysm, USPSTF, NHS, WHO, Bangtao, Cherngtalay, Kata, Karon, Patong, Phuket, Dr. Ponlawat Pitsuwan, Takecare Clinic Phuket.
This page is general health information and not a substitute for a medical consultation.