What Blood Tests Should I Get Every Year? A Doctor’s Guide by Age

Blood work can reveal important information about your health, but there is no single list of blood tests that every adult needs every year.

That may be surprising. Many people assume an annual physical automatically means a CBC, metabolic panel, cholesterol, thyroid, vitamin levels, and every other test available. In reality, the most useful blood work depends on your age, medical history, medications, family history, symptoms, previous results, and individual risk factors.

Some tests may be checked regularly. Others may only need to be performed every few years. Certain tests are useful once in adulthood unless your risk changes. And some popular tests should usually be ordered only when there is a medical reason to check them.

The goal of preventive blood work is not to order the largest possible panel. It is to choose the right tests, understand what they mean, compare important changes over time, and decide what—if anything—needs to happen next.

Patients who want a broader understanding of what happens during preventive visits can read our cornerstone guide to what is included in an annual physical. For local care, learn more about annual physical exams in Orland Park at IASIS Boutique Health.

Quick Answer: What Blood Tests Should You Get?

Common blood tests your primary care physician may consider include:

• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) or basic metabolic panel (BMP)
• Lipid panel for cholesterol and triglycerides
• Fasting glucose or hemoglobin A1C for diabetes risk
• Thyroid testing when symptoms or risk factors make it appropriate
• Iron and ferritin testing when anemia or iron deficiency is a concern
• Vitamin B12 or other nutrient testing when indicated
• Hepatitis C and HIV screening according to preventive-care recommendations
• Additional tests based on your age, medical conditions, medications, symptoms, and family history

But not every test on this list needs to be performed annually for every healthy adult.

For example, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention states that most healthy adults should have cholesterol checked every four to six years, while people with diabetes, heart disease, a family history of high cholesterol, or other risk factors may need testing more frequently.

This is why the better question is not simply:

“What blood tests should everybody get every year?”

It is:

“Which blood tests make sense for me this year?”

That type of individualized decision-making is also central to internal medicine and preventive primary care.

Why Blood Work Matters Even When You Feel Healthy

Many health conditions can develop gradually without causing obvious symptoms in their early stages.

Blood testing may help your physician identify or monitor concerns involving:

• Cholesterol and cardiovascular risk
• Blood sugar and diabetes
• Kidney function
• Liver function
• Anemia
• Blood-cell abnormalities
• Medication effects
• Electrolyte abnormalities
• Nutritional deficiencies
• Thyroid problems when clinically suspected
• Chronic medical conditions

Blood work can also provide something that is easy to overlook: context over time.

One isolated result is a snapshot.

Several years of appropriate testing can show whether a value has remained stable, gradually changed, improved after treatment, or moved in a direction that deserves attention.

That trend may sometimes be more informative than simply seeing the word “normal” beside a number.

1. Complete Blood Count (CBC)

A complete blood count, commonly called a CBC, measures several components of your blood.

These generally include:

• Red blood cells
• White blood cells
• Hemoglobin
• Hematocrit
• Platelets
• Additional red and white blood cell measurements

What Can a CBC Help Evaluate?

A CBC may help your physician evaluate concerns such as:

• Anemia
• Certain infections
• Blood loss
• Some nutritional deficiencies
• Platelet abnormalities
• Changes in white blood cells
• Certain blood disorders

A CBC can be extremely useful, but that does not mean every healthy adult automatically requires one every twelve months.

Your physician may be more likely to order or repeat a CBC if you have symptoms such as unexplained fatigue, weakness, unusual bruising, bleeding, recurrent infections, or if you have a medical condition or medication that needs monitoring.

2. Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)

A comprehensive metabolic panel, or CMP, provides information about several important areas of your health in a single blood draw.

It commonly includes measurements related to:

• Blood glucose
• Kidney function
• Liver function
• Sodium
• Potassium
• Calcium
• Proteins
• Other electrolytes and metabolic markers

A CMP can help your physician understand how several major body systems are functioning.

What Can a CMP Help Identify or Monitor?

Depending on the individual, results may help evaluate:

• Kidney function
• Liver abnormalities
• Blood sugar
• Electrolyte disturbances
• Medication effects
• Dehydration
• Certain chronic health conditions

People taking medications that can affect kidney function, liver function, or electrolytes may need this type of testing more frequently than someone without those risks.

Again, testing should be individualized rather than ordered simply because a calendar year has passed.

3. Cholesterol and Lipid Panel

A lipid panel typically measures:

• Total cholesterol
• LDL cholesterol
• HDL cholesterol
• Triglycerides

These numbers help your physician assess cardiovascular risk.

High cholesterol often causes no obvious symptoms. That is one reason appropriate screening matters.

However, cholesterol is also a good example of why annual blood work does not mean every test must be repeated every year.

The CDC states that most healthy adults should have cholesterol checked every four to six years. People with cardiovascular disease, diabetes, a family history of high cholesterol, previous abnormal results, or other risk factors may need more frequent testing.

Your Cholesterol Numbers Should Not Be Interpreted Alone

Cardiovascular risk depends on much more than LDL cholesterol.

Your physician may also consider:

• Age
• Blood pressure
• Smoking history
• Diabetes
• Family history
• Previous cardiovascular disease
• Weight and metabolic health
• Medications
• Changes in cholesterol over time

The question is not simply whether a result falls inside the laboratory reference range.

The more useful question is:

What does this result mean for your overall cardiovascular risk?

4. Blood Sugar and Hemoglobin A1C

Blood testing can identify elevated blood sugar before someone develops obvious symptoms of diabetes.

Two commonly used measurements are:

Fasting Blood Glucose

This measures your blood glucose at a particular point in time.

Hemoglobin A1C

A1C reflects your average blood glucose level over approximately the previous two to three months.

The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends screening certain adults for prediabetes and type 2 diabetes beginning at age 35, depending on risk factors.

Those risk factors can include:

• Family history of diabetes
• Previous gestational diabetes
• Polycystic ovary syndrome
• Cardiovascular risk factors
• Previous elevated blood sugar
• Certain medications
• Other metabolic concerns

Someone with known diabetes or prediabetes will usually need monitoring on a different schedule than someone being screened for the first time.

5. Thyroid Testing

Thyroid blood tests are frequently discussed as part of annual blood work.

The most common initial test is thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). Depending on the result and clinical situation, additional thyroid testing may be appropriate.

However, thyroid testing is not automatically necessary every year for every asymptomatic adult.

That does not mean thyroid testing is unimportant.

It means the decision should have context.

Your physician may consider thyroid testing when you have relevant symptoms, previous thyroid disease, certain medications, an abnormal examination, family history, or other risk factors.

Possible symptoms that may lead to evaluation include:

• Unexplained weight changes
• Persistent fatigue
• Changes in heart rate
• Heat or cold intolerance
• Changes in bowel habits
• Hair or skin changes
• Menstrual changes
• Tremor
• Other symptoms consistent with thyroid dysfunction

Many of these symptoms can have causes unrelated to the thyroid, which is another reason testing should be interpreted within the larger clinical picture.

6. Iron and Ferritin

Iron testing is not necessarily part of every adult’s annual blood work.

But it can be valuable when iron deficiency or iron overload is suspected.

Your physician may order tests such as:

• Ferritin
• Serum iron
• Total iron-binding capacity
• Transferrin saturation

Iron testing may be considered when someone has:

• Anemia
• Persistent fatigue
• Heavy menstrual bleeding
• Unexplained weakness
• Certain gastrointestinal conditions
• Blood loss
• Dietary risk factors
• Previous abnormal iron studies

Ferritin reflects stored iron but can also be affected by inflammation and other medical conditions. It should therefore be interpreted along with other information rather than viewed in isolation.

7. Vitamin B12

Vitamin B12 testing can be appropriate for certain patients, but routine annual testing is not necessary for everyone.

Testing may be considered for people with:

• Certain types of anemia
• Numbness or tingling
• Neurologic symptoms
• Gastrointestinal disorders that affect absorption
• Previous stomach or intestinal surgery
• Certain dietary patterns
• Long-term use of medications that may affect B12 status
• Other relevant medical concerns

As with other nutritional markers, testing is most useful when there is a clinical reason behind it.

8. Vitamin D

Vitamin D is one of the most frequently requested wellness tests.

But routine vitamin D testing for every healthy adult is not automatically necessary.

A physician may order vitamin D testing when symptoms, medical conditions, bone health, medications, or other risk factors make it clinically appropriate.

The important point is that popular does not always mean everyone needs it every year.

9. Hepatitis C Screening

Some important blood tests are preventive screenings that may only need to be performed once for many people.

Hepatitis C is a good example.

Current preventive recommendations support hepatitis C screening for adults ages 18 to 79.

For many adults, this is a one-time screening, although people with ongoing risk may need periodic testing.

If you do not know whether you have ever been screened for hepatitis C, it is reasonable to ask your physician.

10. HIV Screening

Preventive-care recommendations also include HIV screening for adolescents and adults, with repeat testing depending on individual risk.

This is another example of a valuable blood test that does not necessarily belong in a generic annual panel for every person.

What Blood Tests Should You Get in Your 20s?

Your 20s are an important time to establish a relationship with a primary care physician and understand your baseline health.

Blood testing should be selected according to your medical history and risk factors rather than simply ordering every available test.

Possible considerations include:

Cholesterol Screening

Young adults should know their cardiovascular risk factors and whether lipid testing is appropriate.

If results are normal and you otherwise have low cardiovascular risk, testing may not need to be repeated annually.

Diabetes Screening When Risk Is Elevated

A1C or glucose testing may be appropriate earlier than standard screening ages when significant risk factors are present.

Hepatitis C Screening

Adults should make sure recommended hepatitis C screening has been completed.

HIV Screening

Routine preventive recommendations include HIV screening, with repeat testing depending on individual risk.

Symptom-Based Blood Work

Persistent fatigue, unexplained weight changes, menstrual concerns, gastrointestinal symptoms, medication use, family history, or other health issues may justify additional testing.

Your 20s are less about creating the largest possible laboratory panel and more about establishing baseline health information and identifying risks early.

What Blood Tests Should You Get in Your 30s?

Your 30s are often when cardiovascular and metabolic risks begin to deserve more attention—especially if weight, blood pressure, activity levels, family history, or other factors have changed.

Potential testing may include:

• Cholesterol testing when due
• Glucose or A1C when appropriate
• CBC when clinically indicated
• Metabolic testing when appropriate
• Medication-monitoring labs
• Risk-based thyroid, iron, vitamin, or other testing

Beginning around age 35, diabetes screening becomes increasingly relevant depending on individual risk factors.

This is also a useful time to look beyond individual test results and ask:

Are my numbers changing compared with five years ago?

A value does not need to cross into an abnormal range before a trend becomes worth discussing.

What Blood Tests Should You Get in Your 40s?

For many adults, the 40s are when preventive care needs to become more deliberate.

You may still feel healthy, but risks involving blood pressure, cholesterol, blood sugar, weight, cardiovascular disease, and certain cancers become increasingly important.

Blood work may include testing related to:

• Cholesterol and cardiovascular risk
• Diabetes or prediabetes
• Kidney and liver function when appropriate
• Blood counts when clinically indicated
• Medication monitoring
• Thyroid concerns when appropriate
• Individual nutritional or metabolic concerns

But blood tests are only one piece of preventive care after 40.

Other age-appropriate screening becomes important as well.

For example, colorectal cancer screening generally begins at age 45 for average-risk adults. That screening may involve stool-based testing or procedures such as colonoscopy rather than routine blood work.

This is why a comprehensive preventive visit should not simply be:

“Here is your lab order. See you next year.”

Your physician should consider the entire health picture.

If you are entering this stage of life, read our guide to why preventive care matters after 40 to understand which health risks and screenings become increasingly important.

What Blood Tests Should You Get in Your 50s?

In your 50s, the importance of individualized cardiovascular and metabolic risk assessment continues to increase.

Your physician may pay particular attention to:

• Blood pressure
• Cholesterol
• Blood sugar
• Kidney function
• Liver health
• Medication monitoring
• Weight and metabolic health
• Family history
• Previous test trends

Additional testing may depend on your sex, symptoms, medications, personal history, and risk factors.

What About PSA Testing for Men?

A PSA test measures prostate-specific antigen in the blood and may be used as part of prostate cancer screening.

The decision to undergo PSA-based prostate cancer screening should be individualized after discussing potential benefits, limitations, and risks with your physician.

This is exactly the type of screening decision that should not be reduced to a universal checklist.

What Blood Tests Should You Get in Your 60s and Beyond?

As people get older, testing often becomes more individualized—not less.

Someone in their 60s who takes several medications and manages hypertension, diabetes, kidney disease, or high cholesterol may need laboratory monitoring much more frequently than a healthy adult of the same age.

Your physician may consider:

• Kidney function
• Electrolytes
• Liver function
• Cholesterol
• Blood sugar or A1C
• Blood counts
• Medication-related monitoring
• Nutritional testing when indicated
• Thyroid testing when appropriate
• Other disease-specific testing

The most useful schedule depends heavily on your existing health conditions and medications.

At this age, continuity becomes particularly valuable. A physician who can compare current results with several years of medical history may recognize changes that are harder to appreciate from a single laboratory report.

Blood Tests by Age: A Simple Overview

Age	Blood Work Your Doctor May Discuss	Important Considerations
20s	Lipids when appropriate, glucose based on risk, HIV/HCV screening, symptom-based labs	Establish baseline health and family-history risks
30s	Lipids, diabetes screening based on risk, CBC/CMP when indicated, medication monitoring	Watch early cardiovascular and metabolic trends
40s	Cholesterol, glucose/A1C, kidney/liver testing when appropriate, other individualized labs	Preventive care becomes increasingly important
50s	Cardiometabolic testing plus individualized screening and medication monitoring	Review cardiovascular, cancer, and chronic-disease risk
60s+	Testing based heavily on medications, chronic conditions, previous results, and overall health	Trend monitoring and coordinated care become increasingly important

This table is a starting point—not a personal laboratory prescription.

Your physician may recommend more, less, or different testing based on your individual health.

Do You Need Blood Work Every Year?

Not necessarily.

Some adults may benefit from yearly laboratory testing because of their medical history, medications, symptoms, previous results, or risk factors.

Others may not need the same tests repeated every twelve months.

For example:

• A healthy adult with normal cholesterol and low cardiovascular risk may not need annual lipid testing.
• Someone taking medication that affects kidney function may need metabolic testing more frequently.
• A person with diabetes may need A1C monitoring several times per year.
• Someone with unexplained anemia may need repeat blood counts or iron studies.
• Someone who has already completed one-time hepatitis C screening without ongoing risk may not need the test every year.

The frequency should follow the reason for the test.

What Blood Tests Should You Ask for at an Annual Physical?

Instead of walking into an appointment with a predetermined list of twenty laboratory tests, consider asking your physician:

“Based on my age, family history, medications, previous results, and health risks, which blood tests make sense for me this year?”

That question creates a much better conversation.

If you want help preparing for the rest of the appointment, see our guide to questions to ask your primary care doctor.

You may also want to ask:

• Is my cholesterol testing up to date?
• Should I be screened for diabetes or prediabetes?
• Are my medications affecting which labs I need?
• Have my kidney or liver numbers changed?
• Is there anything in my previous blood work we should repeat?
• Do my symptoms justify thyroid, iron, vitamin, or other testing?
• Am I due for HIV or hepatitis C screening?
• Are any important preventive screenings due that are not blood tests?
• Which results should we compare year over year?

If you are preparing for your yearly visit, our guide to what is included in an annual physical explains what patients can expect beyond laboratory testing.

Should You Get “Full Blood Work”?

Patients often ask for “full blood work,” but there is no universal medical test called a full blood panel that checks everything.

A laboratory can measure hundreds or thousands of different things.

More testing is not always better.

Ordering tests without a clear clinical reason can lead to:

• Incidental abnormal results
• False positives
• Repeat testing
• Unnecessary worry
• Additional procedures
• Higher costs
• Findings that do not meaningfully improve health

A good preventive-care strategy is not about testing the maximum number of biomarkers.

It is about choosing tests that can provide useful information and knowing what you will do with the results.

Is More Blood Testing Always Better?

No.

It is easy to assume that testing more biomarkers automatically produces better preventive care.

But every test should ideally answer a meaningful question.

For example:

Are we screening for a condition that could otherwise go unnoticed?

Are we monitoring a known health problem?

Are we checking whether a medication is safe and effective?

Are we investigating a symptom?

Will this result change what we do next?

If there is no clear reason for a test and no plan for interpreting the result, ordering it “just in case” may not provide meaningful benefit.

This is particularly important with tests marketed as wellness, hormone, nutrient, inflammation, or longevity panels.

Some may be useful for selected patients. Others may add cost without providing actionable information.

Ask your physician what each test is intended to evaluate before ordering it.

Do You Need to Fast Before Blood Work?

Sometimes.

Not every blood test requires fasting.

Whether you should fast depends on what your physician has ordered and the instructions from the laboratory.

Some glucose and metabolic testing may be performed fasting.

Lipid testing can sometimes be performed without fasting, although a fasting sample may be preferred in certain situations.

Other common tests, such as many blood counts, generally do not require fasting.

Do not assume.

Before your appointment, ask:

“Do any of my ordered tests require fasting, and if so, for how long?”

If fasting is required, follow the instructions you receive from your physician or laboratory.

Water is generally permitted during routine fasting blood work, but follow the specific directions you were given.

For preparation details, read our complete guide on whether you need to fast before an annual physical.

Can You Drink Coffee Before a Fasting Blood Test?

If you have been instructed to fast, the safest approach is generally to avoid coffee unless your physician or laboratory specifically says it is allowed.

Even black coffee can affect certain physiologic measurements.

Water is usually the preferred beverage during a fasting period.

Follow the instructions provided for your particular tests.

Can You Take Medication Before Blood Work?

Do not stop prescription medication on your own simply because you are having blood work.

Some medications should be taken normally.

Others may need to be timed differently depending on the specific test being performed.

Supplements can also affect certain laboratory results.

Before testing, tell your physician about:

• Prescription medications
• Over-the-counter medications
• Vitamins
• Herbal products
• Hormones
• Supplements

Ask whether anything should be changed before the blood draw.

What Does a “Normal” Blood Test Result Actually Mean?

Laboratory reports usually provide a reference range.

A result within that range is often marked as normal.

But interpreting blood work is more complicated than comparing a number with a range on a screen.

Your physician may consider:

• Your age
• Symptoms
• Medical history
• Medications
• Family history
• Other laboratory values
• Previous results
• The degree of abnormality
• Whether the result was expected
• Whether the test needs to be repeated

A value just outside a reference range does not automatically mean you have a disease.

Likewise, a value inside the reference range does not necessarily answer every health question.

Laboratory results are information.

Clinical interpretation gives that information meaning.

Why Comparing Blood Test Results Over Time Can Matter

Imagine your blood sugar, cholesterol, kidney function, or another marker technically remains within the laboratory reference range for several years.

But every year it moves in the same direction.

That trend may deserve a conversation even before the number becomes clearly abnormal.

On the other hand, one mildly abnormal result may return to normal when repeated.

This is why continuity of primary care matters.

A physician who knows your medical history can evaluate:

• What is new
• What is stable
• What has changed
• What may be related to a medication
• What deserves repeat testing
• What deserves treatment
• What may simply need continued observation

The number is only part of the story.

If you are unsure how often you should be seen between preventive visits, read our guide on how often adults should see a primary care doctor.

Patients who want that type of ongoing adult healthcare can learn more about internal medicine in Orland Park at IASIS Boutique Health.

What If Your Blood Work Is Abnormal?

Do not panic based on a patient portal flag alone.

Laboratories commonly highlight results that fall outside a statistical reference range. Some abnormalities are clinically important. Others are temporary, expected, medication-related, or only slightly outside the range.

Your physician may recommend:

• Repeating the test
• Reviewing medications
• Additional laboratory testing
• Lifestyle changes
• Further evaluation
• Imaging
• Referral to a specialist
• Treatment
• No immediate intervention other than monitoring

The appropriate next step depends on the test and your overall health.

If a result is significantly abnormal or associated with concerning symptoms, seek appropriate medical care rather than trying to interpret the result entirely on your own.

What Blood Tests Are Often Unnecessary Without a Specific Reason?

No test is universally “bad,” but some laboratory tests are frequently requested even when there is no clear indication.

Examples may include:

• Extensive thyroid panels in people without relevant findings
• Broad hormone panels
• Routine vitamin D testing in every asymptomatic adult
• Large vitamin and micronutrient panels
• Inflammatory markers without a specific clinical question
• Repeating stable tests more frequently than necessary
• Large commercial “optimization” panels without a plan for interpreting the findings

There are situations in which each of these tests can be appropriate.

The question is whether the test is appropriate for you.

Blood Work Is Only One Part of Preventive Health

One of the biggest mistakes people make is assuming normal laboratory results mean they have completed preventive care for the year.

Blood work does not replace:

• Blood pressure screening
• Physical examination when appropriate
• Cancer screening
• Vaccinations
• Mental health screening
• Medication review
• Family-history assessment
• Sleep evaluation
• Nutrition and exercise discussions
• Smoking and alcohol assessment
• Bone-health evaluation when appropriate
• Other age- and risk-based preventive services

A good annual visit looks beyond the blood draw.

It asks:

What risks matter for this person right now, and what can we do about them?

This becomes especially important as you get older. Our guide to preventive care after age 40 explains how health priorities often change during this stage of adulthood.

If you have Medicare, remember that a traditional physical and a Medicare Annual Wellness Visit are different services. See our comparison of annual physicals vs. Medicare Annual Wellness Visits.

When Should You Ask Your Doctor About Blood Work?

You do not need to wait for your annual physical if something has changed.

Talk with a healthcare professional if you develop persistent or concerning symptoms such as:

• Unexplained fatigue
• Significant unexplained weight change
• Unusual bleeding or bruising
• Persistent weakness
• New excessive thirst or urination
• Persistent abdominal symptoms
• New numbness or tingling
• Significant changes in heart rate
• Persistent fever
• Other symptoms that concern you

Blood testing may or may not be the appropriate next step depending on the symptoms.

Seek urgent or emergency medical attention for severe or rapidly worsening symptoms.

A Better Way to Think About Annual Blood Work

The best preventive blood work is personalized blood work.

Instead of thinking:

“I need every test once a year.”

Think:

“I want to make sure the right things are being monitored for my health.”

That requires a physician to understand:

• Your medical history
• Your family history
• Your medications
• Your previous lab results
• Your symptoms
• Your lifestyle
• Your current diagnoses
• Your age
• Your long-term health risks

The purpose of testing is not to collect numbers.

It is to use the right information to make better health decisions.

Annual Blood Work at IASIS Boutique Health

At IASIS Boutique Health in Orland Park, Illinois, preventive care is designed around the individual rather than a one-size-fits-all checklist.

Dr. Georgios Karanastasis is a board-certified internal medicine physician who provides adult primary care with an emphasis on prevention, cardiovascular health, chronic-condition management, and continuity of care.

Annual comprehensive laboratory testing is included for IASIS members. The specific tests ordered depend on the physician’s assessment of each patient's medical history, medications, risk factors, previous results, symptoms, and health needs.

Members also have more time to review what their results mean and what should happen next.

IASIS membership currently includes:

• Annual comprehensive labs
• Unlimited included office visits
• Same-day and next-day availability for members
• Telehealth when clinically appropriate
• Direct physician access
• EKG testing
• Point-of-care testing
• No copays for included membership services

Patients interested in this type of ongoing care can learn more about concierge medicine in Orland Park.

Individual membership is currently $209 per month or $2,500 annually.

You can review the complete IASIS membership plans and pricing to see what is included.

For patients who want preventive care that goes beyond receiving a laboratory report in a portal, the goal is to build an ongoing health plan with a physician who knows their history and can follow changes over time.

Annual Physical Resources & Guides

Blood work is only one part of preventive care. Continue with these related IASIS guides:

• What Is Included in an Annual Physical?
• Do You Need to Fast Before an Annual Physical?
• Annual Physical vs. Medicare Annual Wellness Visit
• Questions to Ask Your Primary Care Doctor
• How Often Should Adults See a Primary Care Doctor?
• Why Preventive Care Matters After 40

For local preventive care, visit our Annual Physical Exam in Orland Park service page.

Frequently Asked Questions About Annual Blood Tests

What blood tests should I get every year?

There is no universal list that every healthy adult needs annually. Your physician may consider a CBC, metabolic panel, cholesterol testing, blood sugar or A1C, and additional testing depending on your age, medical history, medications, symptoms, previous results, and risk factors. Some tests should be performed every few years rather than annually, while others are primarily indicated for specific patients.

Should everyone get a CBC every year?

Not necessarily. A CBC is a common and useful blood test, but the need to repeat it every year depends on your health history, symptoms, medications, previous results, and physician's judgment.

Should I have my cholesterol checked every year?

Not everyone needs annual cholesterol testing. Most healthy adults can often go several years between cholesterol tests. More frequent testing may be appropriate if you have cardiovascular disease, diabetes, a family history of high cholesterol, previous abnormal results, or other risk factors.

At What Age Should I Start Getting A1C Tests?

Diabetes screening becomes increasingly important during adulthood, particularly for people with overweight, obesity, family history, previous abnormal glucose levels, or other risk factors. Your physician can determine when A1C or glucose testing should begin based on your health profile.

Should Thyroid Levels Be Tested Every Year?

Routine annual thyroid screening is not necessary for every asymptomatic adult. Thyroid testing may be appropriate when symptoms, previous thyroid disease, medications, examination findings, family history, or other risk factors warrant evaluation.

Should Vitamin D Be Checked Every Year?

Not automatically. Vitamin D testing can be appropriate for selected patients based on bone health, symptoms, medications, medical conditions, or other risk factors.

Do I Need to Fast Before Annual Blood Work?

It depends on the tests ordered. Some glucose, lipid, or metabolic testing may require or benefit from fasting, while many other blood tests do not. Follow the specific instructions from your physician or laboratory.

How Often Should Adults Get Blood Work?

There is no single interval that applies to every adult. Testing frequency depends on the particular test and the reason it is being ordered. Some people need testing several times per year because of medications or chronic conditions. Others may go several years between certain preventive tests.

What Blood Tests Should I Get After Age 40?

Testing after 40 often focuses more closely on cardiovascular and metabolic risk, including cholesterol and diabetes screening when appropriate. Other testing depends on symptoms, medications, family history, previous results, and health conditions. Preventive screening outside of blood work also becomes increasingly important.

Can Blood Work Detect Cancer?

Routine blood work can sometimes reveal abnormalities that lead to further evaluation, but standard CBCs or metabolic panels are not comprehensive cancer-screening tests. Recommended cancer screening depends on factors such as age, sex, family history, and individual risk.

What Should I Ask My Doctor After Getting Blood Test Results?

Ask what the results mean in the context of your overall health, whether anything has changed compared with previous testing, whether any test should be repeated, whether treatment or lifestyle changes are recommended, and when the result should be checked again.

The Bottom Line

If you have been wondering what blood tests you should get every year, the most accurate answer is:

The right blood tests depend on you.

CBCs, metabolic panels, cholesterol, glucose, and A1C are common tests, but even these do not automatically need to be performed every year for every healthy adult. Thyroid, vitamin, iron, hormone, and other testing should generally be selected based on your medical history, symptoms, risk factors, medications, and previous results.

Preventive care works best when laboratory testing is part of an ongoing relationship with a physician—not simply a list of numbers checked once a year.

If you are due for an annual physical or want to better understand which preventive tests make sense for you, IASIS Boutique Health provides adult internal medicine and primary care in Orland Park with longer appointments, annual comprehensive laboratory testing for members, and time to review what your results actually mean.

Meet Dr. Georgios Karanastasis or review IASIS membership options to learn more about building a preventive health plan based on your individual risks, history, and goals.

Medical disclaimer: This article provides general educational information and is not a substitute for individualized medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Recommended laboratory testing varies by patient. Discuss your personal screening and testing needs with a qualified healthcare professional.