What Health Checks Should You Schedule Early in the New Year

The new year is a reset button most people look forward to. Whether you’re focused on your career, family, or getting back in shape, the energy of a fresh start is hard to ignore. But amid the resolutions and to-do lists, one thing that often gets left behind is your health.

You don’t need to be sick to get checked out. In fact, the best time to schedule important screenings is when you feel fine. Health checkups early in the year help you catch things before they become problems and make sure you’re on the right track for everything else you have planned.

Physical Check-Ins Start the Conversation

Even if you’re feeling fine, a conversation with a provider can reveal trends you may not have noticed. Maybe you’ve been more tired than usual, not sleeping as well, or noticing small changes in digestion, energy, or mood.

TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track does not provide annual wellness exams. These types of visits are typically handled by your primary care provider and may not be covered by insurance when performed at an urgent care clinic. However, our team can evaluate your symptoms, discuss your medical history, and determine the next best steps if you’re not feeling quite like yourself.

In-House Bloodwork After Provider Evaluation

Some of the most valuable insights into your health come from your blood. You won’t always feel a deficiency or imbalance, but lab testing often reveals the story your body is trying to tell. At TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track, our provider may place a lab order after evaluating your symptoms. In many cases, we can draw blood right here in the clinic and send it out to a partner lab for processing. We do not accept outside lab orders, and we do not process results in-house.

It is also important to note that if bloodwork is performed under a wellness exam code, insurance may not cover the cost. In those cases, patients may be responsible for the full balance. For routine preventive bloodwork, we recommend following up with your primary care provider to avoid unexpected charges.

Track Blood Pressure and Cholesterol Before Symptoms Start

These two numbers are often the first indicators of cardiovascular risk. High blood pressure and cholesterol usually do not cause symptoms at first. That is what makes early screening so important.

If you have had borderline levels in the past, or if it has been more than six months since your last check, schedule time to get updated. Our providers can monitor your blood pressure during your visit and may order a lipid panel if your evaluation supports it. Managing these risk factors is much easier when you catch them early.

Lingering Colds, Coughs, and Respiratory Symptoms

When a cold or respiratory illness drags on longer than expected, it is easy to brush it off and assume it will resolve on its own. But lingering symptoms deserve attention, especially at the start of a new year when viruses tend to circulate more frequently. You should consider getting evaluated if you are dealing with:

• A cough that lasts more than ten days
• Chest tightness or shortness of breath
• Recurrent sinus pressure or congestion
• Fever that returns after initially improving
• Fatigue that feels out of proportion to the illness

What starts as a simple upper respiratory infection can sometimes turn into bronchitis, sinus infections, or other complications. An urgent care evaluation helps determine whether additional testing, treatment, or follow-up care is needed. Addressing these symptoms early helps prevent longer recovery times and unnecessary discomfort.

Digestive and Nutritional Screenings

If you are feeling bloated, tired, or just off after the holidays, you are not alone. But if those symptoms stick around after the new year settles in, there could be a deeper cause. Common reasons include:

• Food intolerances
• Low levels of iron or vitamin D
• Digestive imbalances like IBS or acid reflux
• Poor absorption of nutrients

These are not always easy to spot on your own. Bloodwork and simple screenings help you figure out what is going on so you can make real changes. Sometimes just correcting one deficiency makes a huge difference in how you feel.

Important Screenings for Women

Life gets busy, and many women delay their own appointments while managing everything else. But regular screenings play a key role in long-term health. TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track does not offer services like Pap smears, pelvic exams, mammograms, or bone density scans. These preventive services should be scheduled with your primary care provider or OB-GYN. However, if you are experiencing new or unusual symptoms such as abdominal pain, urinary discomfort, or vaginal irritation, we can evaluate your condition and provide treatment or referrals when medically appropriate.

Checkups for Men That Should Not Be Skipped

Men are more likely to delay care until something starts affecting daily life. But early screening makes it easier to stay ahead of potential problems. TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track does not perform prostate exams or colonoscopies, and we do not monitor testosterone levels. These types of screenings should be discussed with your primary care provider or urologist. If you are experiencing symptoms like frequent urination, discomfort, or fatigue, we can perform an evaluation and recommend a specialist referral when needed.

Extra Checkups You Might Not Be Thinking About

These smaller screenings are easy to forget, but they help maintain overall wellness.

For kids and teens:

• School and sports physicals
• Vision and hearing tests
• Growth and developmental check-ins

For adults:

• Eye exams, especially if you use screens often
• Dental cleanings and oral health checks
• Allergy or asthma management if symptoms are starting to flare

For older adults:

• Colonoscopies based on age and risk
• Bone scans
• Balance and fall-risk evaluations

While we may not perform every one of these services at our urgent care clinic, our providers can help assess your condition and connect you with the right next step.

Convenient Health Checkups in Land O’ Lakes

If you are looking for support with health checkups in Land O’ Lakes, our nearby clinic is ready to help. TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track is located at 22945 State Road 54, Lutz FL, just minutes from everyday stops like Publix, Target, and Starbucks. Our Land O’ Lakes clinic offers fast access to in-house lab draws after your evaluation and can guide you through your next steps if additional care is needed. Get directions here. Whether you need help sorting out symptoms or simply want to make sure everything looks normal, we are here to make that easier.

Schedule Now and Start the Year Strong

Health checkups in Land O’ Lakes do not need to be complicated. You do not have to wait until something feels serious. If something is bothering you, or you want to make this year a healthier one, we are here to help. TGH Urgent Care powered by Fast Track has several locations across Hillsborough, Pinellas, Pasco, Lee, and Charlotte counties. Each one is equipped to help you with routine checkups, screenings, and urgent concerns. 

Our Save My Spot e-Check-in system lets you fill out forms online ahead of time for faster service when you arrive. We are open 7 days a week from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Let us help you make your health a priority this year. Book your checkup today.