Verbatim response from Claude
Annual Blood Tests for a Comprehensive Health Picture
Here are the key tests to consider, along with where to get them:
Core Panel (Most Important)
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) - checks for anemia, infection, immune issues
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) - kidney function, liver health, blood sugar, electrolytes
- Lipid Panel - cholesterol and triglycerides
- Fasting Glucose + HbA1c - diabetes screening
- Thyroid (TSH) - thyroid function affects energy, weight, mood
Worth Adding
- Vitamin D - deficiency is extremely common
- Vitamin B12 - especially if you're vegetarian/vegan or over 50
- Iron/Ferritin - energy and iron storage levels
- hsCRP - inflammation marker
- Testosterone - men especially, but women too
Where to Get Tested
- Your primary care doctor - best starting point; often covered by insurance
- Labcorp / Quest Diagnostics - order through your doctor
- Function Health - comprehensive panel with physician oversight, good value (~$500/year)
- Inside Tracker - includes personalized analysis
- Ulta Lab Tests / OwlMD - affordable self-pay options
Tip
Start with your primary care physician - many of these are covered by insurance during an annual wellness visit.
Want recommendations based on age or specific health concerns?