What Blood Tests Should I Get?
A practical decision guide to help you determine which blood tests to request based on your age, sex, family history, and personal risk factors \u2014 with Australian Medicare bulk billing information.
How to Use This Guide
Walking into your GP appointment and saying “I want a blood test” often results in a basic panel that may miss important markers. This guide helps you have a more informed conversation with your doctor about which tests are appropriate for your age, sex, and risk profile.
Start by finding your age group below, then check the sex-specific additions and family history section. The master checklist at the bottom provides a printable summary you can take to your appointment.
In Australia, most screening blood tests are bulk-billed through Medicare when your GP includes a clinical reason on the pathology request form. We note which tests may have out-of-pocket costs in each section.
Testing Recommendations by Age & Situation
Each section covers the recommended tests, why they matter, how often to retest, and whether Medicare covers the cost.
Under 30 — Establish Your Baseline
Why These Tests
Your 20s are the best time to capture healthy baseline values that every future test will be compared against. This is not just a formality — iron deficiency affects 1 in 4 young Australian women, vitamin D deficiency is found in 1 in 5 young adults (higher in southern states), and undiagnosed coeliac disease affects roughly 1 in 70 Australians. Establishing baselines now means that even subtle changes in your 30s and 40s will be caught early, when they are easiest to address.
How Often to Test
Once for baseline, then every 2–3 years if results are normal and no symptoms develop. Iron studies annually for menstruating women. STI screening annually if sexually active with new partners.
Medicare Bulk Billing
FBC, metabolic panel, fasting glucose, and STI screens are bulk-billed through Medicare with a GP referral. Vitamin D is bulk-billed if there is a clinical indication (e.g., fatigue, dark skin, limited sun exposure). Iron studies are generally bulk-billed.
30–39 — Metabolic Check
Why These Tests
Cardiovascular risk factors begin accumulating silently in your 30s, often a full decade before symptoms appear. In Australia, heart disease remains the leading cause of death and high cholesterol has no symptoms until it causes an event. Thyroid disorders emerge most commonly in women in their 30s — affecting energy, weight, mood, and fertility. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) now affects 1 in 3 Australian adults and is detected through liver function tests. If you have a family history of diabetes, a fasting insulin is far more sensitive than glucose alone at detecting early insulin resistance.
How Often to Test
Lipid panel every 2–5 years if normal, annually if borderline or family history of heart disease. TSH every 5 years if asymptomatic, annually if symptomatic. HbA1c every 3 years from age 35 (RACGP guideline).
Medicare Bulk Billing
Lipid panel, TSH, liver function, and HbA1c are bulk-billed through Medicare with a GP referral. Fasting insulin is bulk-billed when the GP documents a clinical reason such as suspected insulin resistance, PCOS, or family history of type 2 diabetes. Vitamin B12 is bulk-billed with clinical indication.
40–49 — Cardiovascular & Cancer Screening
Why These Tests
The 40s are when silent conditions reveal themselves in blood work. Heart disease risk doubles compared to the previous decade, and type 2 diabetes diagnoses peak in the 40s and 50s. For men, this is the time to begin discussing PSA screening with your doctor, particularly with a family history of prostate cancer. For women, perimenopause may begin with fluctuating hormone levels affecting energy, sleep, mood, and bone density. Kidney disease affects 1 in 10 Australian adults but is completely silent until advanced — eGFR tracking catches declining function early.
How Often to Test
Lipid panel, HbA1c, liver and kidney function annually. PSA discussion at each annual check for men over 40 with risk factors. Perimenopause hormones as symptoms arise. Advanced cardiac markers (Lp(a)) only need to be tested once as they are genetically determined.
Medicare Bulk Billing
All standard tests (FBC, lipids, HbA1c, LFTs, kidney function) are bulk-billed. PSA is bulk-billed when requested by a GP. Advanced cardiac markers like Lp(a) may not be covered and cost $30–$60 privately. Perimenopause hormone tests are bulk-billed with GP referral.
50–59 — Comprehensive Monitoring
Why These Tests
Your 50s require active monitoring rather than opportunistic screening. B12 absorption declines with age and deficiency can cause neurological symptoms that mimic dementia — making it essential to screen regularly. Post-menopausal women lose bone density at an accelerated rate due to oestrogen decline, and calcium, vitamin D, and PTH are critical for early osteoporosis detection. Inflammatory markers (CRP, ESR) help screen for chronic inflammatory conditions that become more prevalent. Prostate cancer risk increases significantly after 50, and regular PSA discussions with your GP become routine.
How Often to Test
Comprehensive metabolic panel annually. B12 and vitamin D every 1–2 years. Inflammatory markers annually if chronic conditions present. Bone markers annually for post-menopausal women or those on osteoporosis treatment.
Medicare Bulk Billing
All tests listed are bulk-billed through Medicare when requested with clinical indication. Bone density scans (DEXA) are also covered by Medicare for women over 70 or those with risk factors for osteoporosis.
60+ — Active Health Surveillance
Why These Tests
In your 60s and beyond, blood tests become a primary tool for maintaining health and independence. Anaemia is common and often multifactorial — iron deficiency, B12 deficiency, chronic disease, and medication effects can all contribute. Kidney function naturally declines with age and tracking the eGFR trend over time is far more valuable than any single reading. Polypharmacy (taking multiple medications) increases the risk of drug interactions that affect electrolytes, liver function, and blood counts. Nutritional deficiencies become common due to reduced appetite, malabsorption, and medication effects. B12 deficiency is particularly important to screen for as it causes cognitive decline that can be mistaken for early dementia but is entirely reversible with treatment.
How Often to Test
FBC, metabolic panel, and kidney function every 6–12 months. B12 and folate annually. Vitamin D every 6–12 months. Iron studies annually. More frequently if on medications that affect blood values (warfarin, metformin, diuretics, PPIs).
Medicare Bulk Billing
All listed tests are fully bulk-billed through Medicare at this age. The 75+ Health Assessment (MBS Item 701) is a comprehensive annual check covered by Medicare that typically includes blood work.
Women-Specific Additions
Why These Tests
Women have unique hormonal and physiological needs that change across the lifespan. Iron deficiency remains the most common nutritional deficiency in women of reproductive age due to menstrual losses, affecting up to 20% of Australian women. Thyroid disorders affect women 5–8 times more often than men, with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s) frequently emerging in the 30s and 40s. AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone) provides a snapshot of ovarian reserve for fertility planning. During perimenopause, hormone fluctuations can cause symptoms years before periods stop, and blood tests help guide management decisions including hormone replacement therapy.
How Often to Test
Iron studies annually for menstruating women. Thyroid every 5 years or annually if symptomatic or family history. AMH at any point for fertility planning. Perimenopause hormones as symptoms arise. Bone markers annually post-menopause.
Medicare Bulk Billing
Iron studies, thyroid, FSH, LH, and estradiol are bulk-billed. AMH costs $50–$80 at most labs and is NOT bulk-billed. Pregnancy panel is fully covered. Bone markers are bulk-billed post-menopause.
Men-Specific Additions
Why These Tests
Australian men are 30% less likely than women to visit their GP, yet have higher rates of cardiovascular disease, liver disease, and die on average 4.4 years earlier. Testosterone naturally declines by 1–2% per year after age 30, and symptomatic low testosterone affects an estimated 1 in 200 men. Hereditary haemochromatosis (iron overload) is the most common genetic condition in people of Northern European descent, affecting 1 in 200 Australians, and typically presents in men in their 40s–50s because men lack the natural iron loss of menstruation. Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Australian men, and PSA screening, while imperfect, allows for informed discussions with your doctor about risk.
How Often to Test
Testosterone if symptomatic (7–10am fasting). PSA annually from 50 (or 40 with family history). Iron studies every 2–3 years. Liver function annually if regular alcohol intake. Uric acid if gout symptoms or family history.
Medicare Bulk Billing
Testosterone, PSA, iron studies, and liver function are all bulk-billed with GP referral. Uric acid is covered as part of a metabolic panel.
Family History Considerations
Why These Tests
Family history is one of the strongest predictors of disease risk, and it often means you should start screening earlier and test more frequently. A first-degree relative (parent or sibling) with type 2 diabetes increases your lifetime risk by 40–70%. First-degree relatives with early heart disease (before 55 in men, 65 in women) warrant earlier and more comprehensive cardiovascular screening including Lp(a), which is entirely genetically determined and only needs to be tested once. Haemochromatosis is autosomal recessive — if a relative has been diagnosed, a simple HFE gene test can determine your carrier status. Autoimmune conditions tend to cluster in families, so a family history of thyroid disease, coeliac disease, or type 1 diabetes should lower your threshold for screening.
How Often to Test
Start screening 10 years before the age at which your relative was diagnosed. If a parent had a heart attack at 50, begin lipid screening at 40 (or earlier). Lp(a) is genetically determined — test once in your lifetime. HFE gene test only needs to be done once.
Medicare Bulk Billing
All standard tests are bulk-billed with GP referral. HFE gene testing is bulk-billed when requested with documented family history of haemochromatosis. Lp(a) may cost $30–$50 privately.
Master Checklist
A quick-reference summary of all recommended tests by age group and sex. Print this and take it to your GP appointment.
| Test | Under 30 | 30\u201339 | 40\u201349 | 50+ | Women | Men |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full Blood Count | Baseline | Every 2yr | Annual | Annual | ✓ | ✓ |
| Iron Studies | Baseline | Annual† | Every 2yr | Annual | Annual* | Every 2–3yr |
| Vitamin D | Baseline | Every 2yr | Every 2yr | Annual | ✓ | ✓ |
| Lipid Panel | — | Baseline | Annual | Annual | ✓ | ✓ |
| HbA1c / Glucose | — | Every 3yr | Annual | Annual | ✓ | ✓ |
| Thyroid (TSH) | If symptoms | Every 5yr | Every 5yr | Annual | Priority | If symptoms |
| Liver Function | If risk | Every 2yr | Annual | Annual | ✓ | Priority |
| Kidney Function | — | — | Baseline | Annual | ✓ | ✓ |
| Vitamin B12 | If vegan | If symptoms | Every 2yr | Annual | ✓ | ✓ |
| Testosterone | — | Baseline | If symptoms | If symptoms | If PCOS | Priority |
| PSA | — | — | If FH | Annual discuss | — | From 50 |
| Inflammatory (CRP) | — | If risk | If risk | Annual | ✓ | ✓ |
* Annual for menstruating women. † If menstruating. FH = Family History. All recommendations assume no existing conditions \u2014 adjust frequency upward if you have chronic conditions or are on medications.
Related Reading
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