Annual Blood Tests for a Comprehensive Health Picture Here are the key panels to discuss with your doctor: Core Tests Complete Blood Count (CBC) - checks for anemia, infection, immune issues Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) - kidney, liver, blood sugar, electrolytes Lipid Panel - cholesterol and triglycerides (heart disease risk) Fasting Glucose + HbA1c - diabetes screening Thyroid (TSH) - often overlooked but affects nearly everything Worth Adding Vitamin D - deficiency is extremely common B12 - especially if you're older or plant-based Iron/Ferritin - energy levels, especially for women hsCRP - inflammation marker linked to heart disease Testosterone - men especially after 35 Where to Get Them Services that let you order your own tests: Function Health - very comprehensive, ~$500/year, tracks 100+ biomarkers Inside Tracker - analyzes results with lifestyle recommendations Quest Diagnostics / LabCorp - order through your doctor or via Ulta Lab Tests (self-pay, affordable) EveryWell - convenient at-home options Practical Tip Bring a list to your primary care doctor first - many tests are covered by insurance during annual physicals. Would you like more detail on any specific area?
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