Nizhny Novgorod residents were told about the three most useless self-appointed analyses.

      June 15, 2026 12:59 Society Laboratory studies alone cannot provide a complete picture of health and are not sufficient grounds for diagnosis. Cardiologist Denis Prokofiev told in an interview for 360.ru which tests often prove useless without considering the clinical situation. Prokofiev emphasized that any tests without a doctor's recommendations are a waste of money and time. He highlighted several studies that can be ineffective without clinical context. The first in the list of such tests is the total cholesterol level. The doctor noted that elevated cholesterol levels can be associated with many conditions, from atherosclerosis to pregnancy, and by itself is not sufficient grounds for diagnosis. For diagnosing atherosclerosis, it is important to determine the level of low-density lipoproteins and conduct an ultrasound examination of the arteries at five key points, Prokofiev explained. The second test that often proves useless is the measurement of ferritin levels. According to the doctor, many people independently take this test and take iron supplements without understanding that anemia is primarily determined by hemoglobin levels. Ferritin is just one of the indicators of anemia and should be assessed in conjunction with other studies, rather than used as the sole criterion for diagnosis. Another example of a useless separate study is an ultrasound examination (US). The doctor noted that the conclusion of an ultrasound alone does not provide a complete picture of health. To make an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to consider the results of a biochemical blood test. Simply obtaining an ultrasound conclusion and considering oneself absolutely healthy is a mistake, Prokofiev concluded. NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has channels on Telegram and MAX. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod". When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+