Overview
Regular blood testing is one of the most important ways to keep track of your overall physical well-being.
Getting tested at routine intervals can allow you to see the way your body changes over time and empower you to make informed decisions about your health.
How often should I get routine blood work?
Your doctor will typically recommend that you get routine blood work at least once a year, around the same time as your yearly physical.
But this is the bare minimum. There are several major reasons you may want to get blood tests more often than that:
You’re experiencing unusual, persistent symptoms. These could include anything from fatigue to abnormal weight gain to new pain.
You want to optimize your health. Knowing levels of various blood components, such as HDL and LDL cholesterol, can allow you to tweak your diet or fitness plan to minimize unhealthy habits (that you may not even realize are unhealthy). This can also maximize the nutrients you put in your body and more.
You want to reduce your risk of disease or complications. Regular blood tests can catch the warning signs of almost any disease early. Many heart, lung, and kidney conditions can be diagnosed using blood tests.
Talk to your doctor first if you want to get certain tests more often than once a year.
What are some routine tests and others I should ask about?
Some of the most common routine tests are:
complete blood count (CBC)
chemistry (basic metabolic) panel
thyroid panel
nutrient tests for levels of vital nutrients, such as iron or B vitamins
Some other tests that you may want include:
enzyme markers if you’re at risk for cancer or other conditions like liver cirrhosis, stroke, or celiac disease
sexually transmitted disease (STD) tests if you have multiple sexual partners or a new partner
Why do some blood tests require fasting?
Everything you eat and drink contains vitamins, proteins, and other nutrients that can cause the related levels in your blood to temporarily spike or drop.
Fasting for 8–12 hours helps ensure that blood test results are free from these variables, making your test results as accurate as possible.
Some common tests that may require fasting include:
cholesterol tests
blood sugar tests
liver function tests
kidney function tests
basic metabolic panel
glucose tests
How long does it take to get results?
Results may take anywhere from a few hours to a few days to become available. Here’s an overview of how long some common tests may take:
complete blood count (CBC): 24 hours
basic metabolic panel: 24 hours
complete metabolic panel: 24–72 hours
lipid panel: 24 hours.
This can depend on the specific lab where you get tested or how many tests you get done at once. If you order multiple tests, you may not get the complete results until all of the tests are completed.
Sometimes a lab will only release results to your doctor, who reviews them and then releases them to you.
Who orders my blood tests?
Your doctor typically orders blood tests for you during a physical, checkup, or an appointment intended for a specific condition.
Blood testing is usually partially or fully covered by insurance. Ordering tests through your medical provider ensures that you’re not paying too much. Your doctor can also advise you on how to choose testing facilities that are reliable, well-managed, or convenient for you.
It’s possible to order your own blood tests without a doctor or even health insurance, but it’s not recommended. You may end up paying the full cost by not going through an insurance plan, which can be expensive.
And some blood testing facilities may not give you accurate results. One infamous case of this is Theranos, a Palo Alto, California, biotechnology firm shut down in 2018 when an investigation uncovered lies and fraud around the accuracy of its private blood testing technology.
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Results may take anywhere from a few hours to a few days to become available. Here’s an overview of how long some common tests may take:
complete blood count (CBC): 24 hours
basic metabolic panel: 24 hours
complete metabolic panel: 24–72 hours
lipid panel: 24 hours.
This can depend on the specific lab where you get tested or how many tests you get done at once. If you order multiple tests, you may not get the complete results until all of the tests are completed.
Sometimes a lab will only release results to your doctor, who reviews them and then releases them to you.
Who orders my blood tests?
Your doctor typically orders blood tests for you during a physical, checkup, or an appointment intended for a specific condition.
Blood testing is usually partially or fully covered by insurance. Ordering tests through your medical provider ensures that you’re not paying too much. Your doctor can also advise you on how to choose testing facilities that are reliable, well-managed, or convenient for you.
It’s possible to order your own blood tests without a doctor or even health insurance, but it’s not recommended. You may end up paying the full cost by not going through an insurance plan, which can be expensive.
And some blood testing facilities may not give you accurate results. One infamous case of this is Theranos, a Palo Alto, California, biotechnology firm shut down in 2018 when an investigation uncovered lies and fraud around the accuracy of its private blood testing technology.
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