by Rohan Navalkar - 0 Comments

Blood Test Advisor

Which Blood Tests Do You Need?

Answer these questions to get personalized recommendations based on Australian medical guidelines.

Every year, millions of people skip their annual blood tests because they feel fine. But feeling fine doesn’t mean everything inside your body is working right. High cholesterol, early-stage diabetes, or low vitamin D can be silently creeping up - no symptoms, no warning. A simple blood test can catch these before they become serious. Here’s what you actually need to get checked each year, based on current medical guidelines and real-world practice in Australia.

Basic Blood Tests Everyone Should Get

These five tests form the foundation of any annual health check. They’re cheap, fast, and tell you more than you think.

  • Complete Blood Count (CBC) - This checks your red and white blood cells, and platelets. Low red blood cells? Could mean anemia. High white cells? Might signal infection or inflammation. It’s a basic snapshot of your overall health.
  • Fasting Blood Glucose - Measures your blood sugar after 8 hours without food. A result above 5.6 mmol/L means you’re in the prediabetes range. Catching this early lets you reverse it with diet and movement - not pills.
  • Lipid Panel - Looks at total cholesterol, HDL (good), LDL (bad), and triglycerides. In Australia, over 30% of adults have unhealthy cholesterol levels. You don’t need to be overweight to have high LDL. This test tells you if your heart is at risk.
  • Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) - This one covers liver and kidney function, electrolytes, and protein levels. If your kidneys are struggling or your liver is stressed from alcohol or meds, this test picks it up before you feel sick.
  • Vitamin D (25-OH) - Nearly 1 in 3 Australians are deficient, especially in winter. Low vitamin D links to fatigue, weak bones, and even mood issues. A simple 25-OH test costs under $30 and can be fixed with daily sunlight or a low-dose supplement.

Tests Based on Age, Gender, and Risk Factors

Not everyone needs the same tests. Your age, sex, family history, and lifestyle change what’s important.

For women over 45: Thyroid function (TSH) should be checked yearly. Hypothyroidism is common, especially after pregnancy or menopause. Symptoms like weight gain, tiredness, or cold intolerance are often blamed on stress - but a TSH test confirms if your thyroid is underperforming.

For men over 50: Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) is optional but worth discussing with your doctor. It’s not perfect - some cancers grow slowly and don’t need treatment - but if you have a family history of prostate cancer, it’s a useful tool.

If you’re overweight or have a family history of diabetes: Add HbA1c. This test shows your average blood sugar over the last 3 months. It’s more accurate than fasting glucose alone. An HbA1c over 5.7% means prediabetes. At this stage, losing just 5% of your body weight can cut your risk of full diabetes by 60%.

If you drink alcohol regularly: Get liver enzymes (ALT, AST, GGT). Even moderate drinking over years can cause fatty liver - and you won’t feel it until it’s advanced. GGT is especially sensitive to alcohol. If it’s high, cutting back can reverse the damage.

What You Don’t Need Every Year

There’s a lot of noise out there - companies selling $500 "premium health panels" with 50+ tests. Most of them are useless for healthy people.

Don’t routinely get:

  • Cancer markers (like CA-125, CEA) - These are not screening tools. They can be high for non-cancer reasons and often cause false alarms.
  • Heavy metal tests (lead, mercury) - Only needed if you work with chemicals or eat a lot of large fish like tuna.
  • Food sensitivity tests (IgG) - These aren’t scientifically proven. If you suspect a food issue, try an elimination diet instead.
  • Chronic fatigue panels - Fatigue has many causes. Jumping straight to blood tests skips the real work: sleep, stress, activity, and mental health.

Stick to the basics. More tests don’t mean better health. In fact, too many tests can lead to unnecessary stress, follow-up scans, and even biopsies for things that would never hurt you.

Simplified diagram of five key blood tests glowing on a human torso

How to Prepare for Your Blood Test

Getting the right results means doing it right.

  1. Fasting - For glucose and lipid panels, don’t eat or drink anything but water for 8-12 hours before. Schedule your test for first thing in the morning.
  2. Hydrate - Drink water the day before. Dehydration makes veins harder to find and can skew kidney results.
  3. Hold off on supplements - Stop vitamin D, fish oil, and iron supplements 24 hours before. They can temporarily raise levels and give false readings.
  4. Don’t skip meals before - If you’re fasting, don’t binge the night before. A heavy meal can raise triglycerides and make your lipid panel look worse than it is.
  5. Bring your meds list - Some drugs affect test results. Your doctor needs to know what you’re taking.

What to Do With Your Results

Getting your results is just the start. What matters is what you do next.

If your cholesterol is high, don’t just take a statin. Ask: What’s my diet like? Am I moving enough? Do I have belly fat? Often, 3 months of better eating and walking 10,000 steps a day can fix it.

If your vitamin D is low, get 15 minutes of midday sun 3-4 times a week. If that’s not possible, take 1000 IU daily. Don’t go over 2000 IU unless your doctor says so.

If your fasting glucose is borderline, talk to a dietitian. Not a fad diet - a real plan. Swap white bread for whole grain, sugar for fruit, and soda for sparkling water. Small changes stick.

Don’t ignore a result just because it’s "a little off." That "little" is where change is easiest. Waiting until you feel bad means you’re already behind.

Where to Get Tested in Australia

You don’t need a private clinic. Most annual blood tests are covered by Medicare if ordered by your GP. Book a "Health Assessment" appointment - it’s free for people over 45, and many GPs offer it for younger adults too.

Private labs like Sonic Healthcare or Australian Clinical Labs are also fine if you’re paying out-of-pocket. Just make sure the request form is signed by your doctor. Self-requested tests often miss key markers or aren’t interpreted correctly.

Some workplaces offer health screenings. Use them - but don’t rely on them alone. They’re often rushed and incomplete.

Blood drop transforming into a health roadmap with sunlight and walking shoes

Real-Life Example: Sarah’s Story

Sarah, 48, from Newcastle, felt fine. She exercised, ate salads, and slept well. Her annual blood test showed:

  • Fasting glucose: 6.2 mmol/L (prediabetes)
  • HbA1c: 5.9%
  • Vitamin D: 38 nmol/L (low)
  • Triglycerides: 2.8 mmol/L (high)

She didn’t have symptoms. But her doctor explained: this was the stage where she could stop diabetes before it started. She cut out sugary drinks, started walking after dinner, and took vitamin D daily. Six months later, her glucose dropped to 5.1, triglycerides to 1.4, and vitamin D to 82. She didn’t need meds. Just better habits.

That’s the power of annual blood tests. Not to scare you. But to give you a chance.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need blood tests if I feel healthy?

Yes. Many serious conditions like high cholesterol, prediabetes, or early kidney disease have no symptoms until they’re advanced. Annual blood tests catch these early, when lifestyle changes can reverse them. Feeling fine doesn’t mean you’re healthy inside.

How often should I get blood tests if I’m under 30?

If you’re healthy and have no risk factors, every 2-3 years is fine. But if you’re overweight, have a family history of diabetes or heart disease, or take medications, get tested yearly. Don’t wait until you’re 40 to start.

Can I get blood tests without seeing a doctor?

Some private labs let you order tests yourself, but it’s not recommended. Without a doctor’s interpretation, you might misread results or miss important patterns. A GP can connect your numbers to your lifestyle and history - that’s where real value lies.

Are blood tests covered by Medicare?

Yes, most standard tests like CBC, lipid panel, fasting glucose, and vitamin D are covered if ordered by your GP. You’ll pay nothing out-of-pocket. Private panels or non-standard tests may cost extra.

What if my results are abnormal?

Don’t panic. Many abnormal results are temporary or easily fixed. Ask your doctor: Is this a one-off? Can it be reversed? Do I need repeat testing? Most issues - like high triglycerides or low vitamin D - respond well to simple changes in diet, sleep, or activity.

Next Steps

Ready to take action? Here’s what to do next:

  1. Book a "Health Assessment" with your GP. Mention you want your annual blood tests.
  2. Ask which tests are covered by Medicare and which you’ll need to pay for.
  3. Write down your goals: lose weight? Boost energy? Lower cholesterol?
  4. Get your blood drawn - fasted, hydrated, and calm.
  5. Follow up with your doctor. Don’t just check the results online - talk about them.

Annual blood tests aren’t about fear. They’re about control. You can’t fix what you don’t know. But with a simple needle prick, you get a roadmap to stay healthy for years to come.