Annual Blood Test Check-Up: What to Get Every Year
· · Reviewed against the sources listed at the end of this page.
An annual blood test is the single most powerful preventive health measure you can take. It catches problems years before symptoms appear — prediabetes, early kidney decline, creeping cholesterol, silent thyroid issues. But most people don’t know which tests to request, and results pile up in drawers without being compared year-over-year.
Recommended Blood Tests by Age
Based on Australian guidelines from the RACGP, Heart Foundation, and Diabetes Australia. Most routine tests are Medicare bulk-billed when ordered by your GP.
Core Panel
Full blood count
Iron studies
Vitamin D
Liver function
Kidney function
Consider Adding
+ STI screening if sexually active
+ Thyroid if family history
+ Fasting glucose if overweight
Core Panel
Full blood count
Lipid panel (cholesterol)
Fasting glucose + HbA1c
Iron studies
Vitamin D
Liver function
Kidney function
Thyroid (TSH)
Consider Adding
+ Hormone panel if fertility concerns
+ B12 if vegetarian
+ Coeliac screen if GI symptoms
Core Panel
Full blood count
Lipid panel
Fasting glucose + HbA1c
Liver function
Kidney function (eGFR)
Thyroid (TSH)
Iron studies
Vitamin D
Uric acid
Consider Adding
+ Fasting insulin + HOMA-IR
+ PSA for men (informed decision)
+ Cardiac risk assessment
+ Hormone panel if symptomatic
Core Panel
Full blood count
Lipid panel
Fasting glucose + HbA1c
Liver function
Kidney function (eGFR)
Thyroid (TSH)
Iron studies
Vitamin D
Uric acid
B12 + folate
CRP (inflammation)
Consider Adding
+ PSA for men
+ Bone health (calcium, ALP) for women
+ Tumour markers if family history
Core Panel
Full blood count
Lipid panel
Fasting glucose + HbA1c
Liver function
Kidney function (eGFR)
Thyroid (TSH)
Iron studies
Vitamin D
B12 + folate
Calcium + phosphate
CRP
Uric acid
Electrolytes
Consider Adding
+ INR if on warfarin
+ BNP if heart failure risk
+ Bone markers (P1NP, CTX)
+ Over-75s Health Assessment
Why Year-Over-Year Comparison Matters
Creeping cholesterol
4.8 → 5.2 → 5.6 → 6.1 over 4 years
Each test is "borderline". The trend shows steady progression toward medication.
Silent kidney decline
eGFR: 92 → 85 → 78 → 72 over 4 years
All above 60 threshold. The downward trend signals early CKD.
Iron depletion pattern
Ferritin: 65 → 45 → 28 → 15 over 3 years
Only the last result is flagged. The trend started 3 years ago.
Treatment working
HbA1c: 6.8% → 6.2% → 5.9% over 18 months
Confirms lifestyle changes are bringing diabetes under control.
Upload This Year’s Results — And Every Previous Year
The more history you upload, the more powerful the trend analysis becomes.
Get Started FreeMedicare Coverage for Annual Blood Tests
Standard Bulk-Billed Tests
FBC, lipids, glucose, HbA1c, liver, kidney, thyroid, iron, and vitamin D are routinely bulk-billed when your GP orders them.
GP Management Plans (CDM)
Chronic conditions (diabetes, heart disease, asthma) qualify for CDM plans that fund additional testing and allied health.
Over-75s Health Assessment
Medicare funds a comprehensive annual assessment for Australians aged 75+ including blood tests and cognitive screening.
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander
The 715 Health Assessment is available annually for all ages, including a comprehensive blood panel.
Related Guides
Your Annual Check-Up Deserves More Than a Filing Cabinet
Upload every annual blood test — this year and previous years. See trends, catch problems early, and take a professional report to your next appointment. Free forever.
Get Started FreeMedical Disclaimer: These are general screening recommendations. Your GP may recommend different tests based on your personal history. Always discuss testing with your doctor.
Sources and reference ranges
Adult reference ranges on this page follow the AACB and RCPA harmonised reference intervals unless stated otherwise; the range printed on your own report always takes precedence because laboratories differ.