Verbatim response from Claude
Annual Blood Tests Worth Considering
Here are the key panels most people should discuss with their doctor:
Core Tests
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) - checks for anemia, infection, immune issues
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) - kidney/liver function, blood sugar, electrolytes
- Lipid Panel - cholesterol and triglycerides for heart health
- Fasting Glucose + HbA1c - diabetes screening
Hormones & Nutrients
- Thyroid (TSH) - often under-tested but affects energy, weight, mood
- Vitamin D (25-OH) - deficiency is very common
- B12 - especially important for vegetarians/vegans or older adults
- Ferritin - iron storage (more useful than basic iron tests)
Worth Adding
- hsCRP - inflammation marker linked to heart disease
- Testosterone (men especially, but women too)
- Insulin - catches insulin resistance before diabetes develops
Where to Get These
- Labcorp or Quest Diagnostics - through your doctor or directly
- Function Health - comprehensive panel (100+ markers) with physician review, ~$500/year
- Inside Tracker - good for athletes, personalizes results
- Your Primary Care Doctor - most basic tests covered by insurance annually
Always review results with a physician for proper context.