Health Screening Guide: What Blood Tests Do You Need?
Proactive health monitoring starts with knowing which tests to request. This guide breaks down recommended blood tests by age and gender so you can have informed conversations with your doctor.
Tests Everyone Should Get
Regardless of your age, these core tests form the foundation of health monitoring.
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Detects anaemia, infection, blood disorders, and overall immune health.
Basic Metabolic Panel
Checks kidney function, blood sugar, electrolytes, and fluid balance.
Lipid Panel (Cholesterol)
Measures total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides for heart disease risk.
Fasting Glucose
Screens for pre-diabetes and diabetes before symptoms appear.
Recommendations by Age
Your testing needs change as you age. Select your age group for tailored recommendations.
Ages 18-29: Screening Recommendations
Essential Tests
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) - baseline health snapshot
- Iron Studies - especially important for menstruating women
- Vitamin D - deficiency is extremely common in young adults
- Basic Metabolic Panel - kidney function, electrolytes, glucose
- STI Screening - Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, HIV, Syphilis (sexually active adults)
Additional Tests (Based on Risk Factors)
- Thyroid Function (TSH) - if family history of thyroid disease
- Hormone Panel - if experiencing fatigue, weight changes, or mood issues
- Coeliac Screen (tTG-IgA) - if digestive symptoms or family history
- Liver Function Tests - if taking medications or regular alcohol use
Screening Recommendations for Women
Women have unique hormonal and physiological factors that require specific blood tests.
- Iron Studies (Ferritin, Serum Iron, Transferrin)
Monthly menstrual losses make iron deficiency the most common deficiency in women of reproductive age. Check annually if menstruating.
- Thyroid Function (TSH, Free T4, Thyroid Antibodies)
Thyroid disorders are 8x more common in women than men. Hashimoto's and Graves' disease often present in the 30s-40s.
- Fertility Hormones (FSH, LH, Estradiol, AMH)
AMH (Anti-Mullerian Hormone) provides insight into ovarian reserve. Important for family planning, typically tested from late 20s onwards.
- Pregnancy Panel
Includes blood type, Rh factor, rubella immunity, hepatitis B, iron, glucose tolerance, and full blood count. Essential for prenatal care.
- Perimenopause and Menopause Markers (FSH, Estradiol)
Rising FSH and declining estradiol confirm menopausal transition. Useful for managing symptoms and guiding HRT decisions.
- Bone Density Markers (Calcium, Vitamin D, ALP, PTH)
Post-menopausal women lose bone density rapidly due to estrogen decline. Monitoring these markers helps prevent osteoporosis.
Screening Recommendations for Men
Men face higher baseline cardiovascular risk and have gender-specific screening needs.
- PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen)
Discuss with your doctor from age 40 (or earlier with family history). PSA screening is nuanced - elevated levels don't always mean cancer, and normal levels don't always rule it out.
- Testosterone (Total and Free)
Testosterone declines approximately 1-2% per year after age 30. Test if experiencing fatigue, low libido, mood changes, reduced muscle mass, or increased body fat.
- Cardiovascular Risk Panel (Lipids, CRP, Homocysteine, Lp(a))
Men have higher baseline cardiovascular risk than women. Comprehensive lipid and inflammatory marker testing helps quantify actual risk beyond standard cholesterol.
- Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
Men are more likely to develop alcohol-related liver disease and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Annual LFTs help detect early damage before symptoms appear.
- Iron Studies (Ferritin)
Unlike women, men can accumulate excess iron over time. Elevated ferritin may indicate haemochromatosis (a genetic condition affecting 1 in 200 people of Northern European descent).
- Uric Acid
Gout affects men 3-4x more than women. Elevated uric acid is also an independent cardiovascular risk factor.
How Often Should You Test?
Testing frequency depends on your baseline health and risk profile. More frequent testing catches changes earlier.
| Test Category | Healthy Adults | With Risk Factors | Existing Condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Blood Work (CBC, Metabolic) | Every 1-2 years | Annually | Every 3-6 months |
| Lipid Panel (Cholesterol) | Every 5 years | Annually | Every 3-6 months |
| Diabetes Screening (HbA1c, Glucose) | Every 3 years (from age 35) | Annually | Every 3 months |
| Thyroid Function (TSH) | Every 5 years | Annually | Every 6 months |
| Iron Studies | Every 2-3 years | Annually | Every 3-6 months |
| Vitamin D | Every 2-3 years | Annually | Every 6 months |
| Kidney Function (eGFR) | Every 3-5 years | Annually | Every 3-6 months |
| Liver Function (LFTs) | Every 2-3 years | Annually | Every 3-6 months |
Risk Factors That Mean More Frequent Testing
If any of the following apply to you, talk to your doctor about more frequent blood tests and additional screening panels.
Family history of heart disease, diabetes, or cancer
Overweight or obese (BMI over 25 or 30)
Current or former smoker
Heavy or regular alcohol consumption
Sedentary lifestyle with little physical activity
Existing chronic conditions (hypertension, autoimmune disease, etc.)
Taking multiple medications (polypharmacy)
History of gestational diabetes or pre-eclampsia
Occupational exposures (chemicals, shift work, high stress)
Previous abnormal blood test results
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