Medically Approved by Dr. Edward Salko
Most people don’t think about blood work until something feels wrong. By then, conditions like diabetes, high cholesterol, kidney disease, thyroid dysfunction, and hormone imbalances may have been silently progressing for months or years.
Annual blood work is the single most effective tool for catching health problems before they become health crises. It’s cheaper than an ER visit, faster than waiting for symptoms, and more informative than any wearable device on the market.
This guide covers exactly which blood tests you should get every year based on your age, sex, and risk factors — what each test measures, what it costs, and why it matters.
The Core Annual Panel: Tests Everyone Should Get
Regardless of age or sex, these tests form the foundation of any annual checkup. Together, they screen for the conditions that cause the most preventable deaths in America — heart disease, diabetes, kidney disease, and liver disease.
1. Complete Blood Count (CBC) — $34
What it measures: Red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets.
Why it matters: A CBC is the most commonly ordered blood test in medicine. It detects anemia, infection, immune disorders, clotting problems, and blood cancers. It’s also the baseline test that flags issues prompting deeper investigation. Think of it as the vital signs for your blood.
Who needs it: Everyone, every year.
2. Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) — $44
What it measures: 14 markers including blood sugar (glucose), kidney function (BUN, creatinine, eGFR), liver enzymes (ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin), electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, CO2), calcium, and protein levels.
Why it matters: The CMP is a window into how your major organs are functioning. It catches early kidney disease, liver stress, electrolyte imbalances, and blood sugar problems — most of which produce zero symptoms until they’re advanced. At $44, it’s one of the highest-value tests in medicine.
Who needs it: Everyone, every year.
3. Lipid Panel — $44
What it measures: Total cholesterol, LDL (“bad” cholesterol), HDL (“good” cholesterol), triglycerides, and LDL/HDL ratio.
Why it matters: Heart disease kills more Americans than any other cause — roughly 1 in every 5 deaths. High cholesterol has absolutely no symptoms. You can’t feel it, and you won’t know until you either test for it or have a cardiac event. The American Heart Association recommends cholesterol screening every 4–6 years for low-risk adults, but annually for anyone with risk factors.
Who needs it: Everyone over 20. Annually if you have risk factors (family history, diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity, smoking). Every 4–6 years if you have none.
4. Hemoglobin A1c — $39
What it measures: Your average blood sugar over the past 2–3 months.
Why it matters: A1c is the gold standard for screening for diabetes and prediabetes. Unlike fasting glucose — which is a snapshot of this morning and changes based on what you ate yesterday — A1c shows the trend. The CDC estimates 96 million American adults have prediabetes and 80% of them don’t know it. Prediabetes caught early can be reversed through lifestyle changes. Caught late, it becomes type 2 diabetes — a chronic condition that accelerates heart disease, kidney failure, nerve damage, and vision loss.
Who needs it: Everyone over 35, every 3 years. Annually if you have risk factors (overweight, family history, sedentary lifestyle, PCOS, gestational diabetes history).
No fasting required. One of the easiest tests to add to any lab visit.
5. Thyroid Panel (TSH, Free T3, Free T4) — $69
What it measures: TSH (the pituitary signal), Free T4 (the main thyroid hormone), and Free T3 (the active form your cells use).
Why it matters: Your thyroid controls metabolism, energy, weight, mood, heart rate, and body temperature. When it’s underactive (hypothyroidism), you gain weight, feel exhausted, get brain fog, and can’t figure out why. When it’s overactive (hyperthyroidism), you lose weight unexpectedly, feel anxious, and your heart races. Thyroid disease affects 1 in 8 women and is one of the most underdiagnosed conditions in America.
A TSH-only test — which is what most doctors run — misses cases where TSH looks normal but T3 conversion is impaired. The full panel catches what TSH alone misses.
Who needs it: Everyone, especially women. Annually if you have symptoms, family history, or are over 50.
6. Vitamin D — $59
What it measures: 25-hydroxy vitamin D — the form your liver produces from sunlight, food, and supplements.
Why it matters: Vitamin D deficiency affects an estimated 42% of American adults. It’s linked to weakened immunity, depression, bone loss, muscle weakness, increased cancer risk, and autoimmune disease. Most people assume they get enough from sunlight — they don’t. Sunscreen blocks 97% of UVB absorption, and most Americans spend the majority of their day indoors.
You cannot determine your vitamin D status based on how much sun you get. A blood test is the only way.
Who needs it: Everyone, annually. Especially if you work indoors, use sunscreen daily, have darker skin, are overweight, or are over 50.
Additional Tests for Men
7. Testosterone (Total) — $59
What it measures: Total testosterone — the combined amount of bound and free testosterone in your blood.
Why it matters: Testosterone declines 1–2% per year after age 30. By 45, many men are running at half the levels they had in their twenties. Low testosterone causes fatigue, low sex drive, muscle loss, increased body fat, brain fog, and depression. It’s one of the most underdiagnosed conditions in men’s health because symptoms develop gradually and get blamed on stress or aging.
Who needs it: Men over 30, especially those with symptoms. Men on TRT need testing every 3–6 months.
Draw between 7–10 AM for accurate results.
8. PSA (Prostate-Specific Antigen) — $87
What it measures: Total and free PSA — proteins produced by the prostate gland.
Why it matters: Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men — 1 in 8 will be diagnosed in their lifetime. PSA is the primary screening tool for early detection. When caught early, prostate cancer has a nearly 100% 5-year survival rate. When caught late, that number drops dramatically.
Who needs it: Men 50+ annually. Men 40+ with family history of prostate cancer or African American men (who face higher risk) should start earlier.
Additional Tests for Women
9. Estradiol — $49
What it measures: The primary form of estrogen in the body.
Why it matters: Estradiol regulates menstrual cycles, bone density, mood, skin health, and cardiovascular protection in women. Abnormal levels are associated with irregular periods, fertility issues, PCOS, early menopause, and osteoporosis risk. Women approaching perimenopause or experiencing unexplained cycle changes should test estradiol alongside FSH.
Who needs it: Women with irregular periods, fertility concerns, perimenopause symptoms, or those on hormone therapy.
10. FSH and LH — $69
What it measures: Follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone — the two hormones that regulate ovulation and reproductive function.
Why it matters: FSH and LH are essential for evaluating fertility, diagnosing PCOS, and determining menopausal status. Elevated FSH in a woman under 40 can indicate diminished ovarian reserve. Abnormal LH/FSH ratio is a hallmark of PCOS.
Who needs it: Women trying to conceive, women with irregular cycles, and women over 40 who want to assess menopausal transition.
Additional Tests Based on Risk Factors
If you have a family history of heart disease:
Add a Cardiac CRP (High Sensitivity) — measures arterial inflammation, an independent heart attack risk factor that a standard lipid panel won’t catch.
If you’re on TRT or using anabolic compounds:
Add Estradiol to monitor estrogen conversion and a CBC at every lab draw to track hematocrit. Read our complete guide: TRT Blood Work: What Tests You Need Before and During Testosterone Therapy
If you’re taking GLP-1 medications (Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro):
Get a Thyroid Panel baseline before starting treatment and a CMP every 3–6 months to monitor kidney and liver function.
If you’re vegan or vegetarian:
Add Vitamin B12 and iron studies. B12 deficiency is extremely common in plant-based diets and causes fatigue, nerve damage, and cognitive issues that develop slowly.
If you drink alcohol regularly:
Add a Liver Function Panel. Your CMP includes basic liver markers, but a dedicated panel provides a more detailed evaluation if you consume more than a few drinks per week.
The Annual Blood Work Cheat Sheet
| Test | Price | Fasting? | Who Needs It | How Often |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CBC | $34 | No | Everyone | Annually |
| CMP | $44 | Yes (9–12 hrs) | Everyone | Annually |
| Lipid Panel | $44 | Yes (12–14 hrs) | Everyone 20+ | Annually with risk factors |
| Hemoglobin A1c | $39 | No | Everyone 35+ | Every 1–3 years |
| Thyroid Panel | $69 | No | Everyone, especially women | Annually |
| Vitamin D | $59 | No | Everyone | Annually |
| Testosterone | $59 | No (morning draw) | Men 30+ | Annually or every 3–6 months on TRT |
| PSA | $87 | No | Men 50+ (40+ if high risk) | Annually |
| Estradiol | $49 | No | Women with symptoms | As needed |
| FSH & LH | $69 | No | Women with fertility concerns | As needed |
Total cost for the core 6 tests everyone should get: $289 at Personalabs — no doctor visit, no insurance, no copay. That’s less than most people pay for a single urgent care visit.
How to Order Your Annual Blood Work
- Pick your tests from the links above — or combine them in a single order
- Our physician network approves your lab order within 2–4 hours
- Visit any Labcorp location near you — use our lab locator to find the closest site
- Schedule a morning appointment if your order includes a CMP or lipid panel (fasting required). If it’s only non-fasting tests, go anytime.
- Get all results in your secure Personalabs account within 24–48 hours
All tests are HSA and FSA eligible.
Looking for Annual Blood Work in Your City?
We offer test-specific pages with local Labcorp locations and city-specific information for major metros:
Houston: CMP | Testosterone | Bodybuilder Panel
Dallas: STD Panel | Testosterone
Miami: Thyroid Panel | Lipid Panel
Chicago: Lipid Panel | Testosterone
San Antonio: A1c
Frequently Asked Questions
What blood tests should I get every year? At minimum, a CBC, CMP, lipid panel, and A1c form the core annual panel. Adding a thyroid panel and vitamin D provides a more complete picture. Men should add testosterone after 30 and PSA after 50. Women should add estradiol and FSH/LH if experiencing hormonal symptoms.
How much does annual blood work cost without insurance? The core 6 tests at Personalabs total $289 — CBC ($34), CMP ($44), lipid panel ($44), A1c ($39), thyroid panel ($69), and vitamin D ($59). All include a physician-approved lab order with no doctor visit needed. HSA and FSA eligible.
Do I need a doctor to order blood work? No. Personalabs includes a physician-approved lab order with every purchase. Most states allow direct-to-consumer lab testing without a referral. You can order online and walk into a Labcorp the same day.
Do I need to fast for annual blood work? It depends which tests you’re getting. CMP requires 9–12 hours of fasting. Lipid panel requires 12–14 hours. A1c, CBC, thyroid panel, vitamin D, and testosterone do not require fasting. If you’re combining fasting and non-fasting tests in one visit, fast for the longest requirement and do them all at once.
What is the best time of day to get blood work done? Morning — ideally between 7–10 AM. Fasting tests are easier when the fast overlaps with sleep. Testosterone and TSH are both highest in the morning, making morning draws the most clinically accurate.
How often should I get blood work? Annually for healthy adults as a baseline screening. Every 3–6 months for anyone actively managing a condition like diabetes, thyroid disease, or TRT. After any major health change (new medication, significant weight loss/gain, new diagnosis), retest to see the impact.
Can I order all my tests at once? Yes. You can add multiple tests to a single Personalabs order. They’ll all be covered under one lab order and one blood draw — so you visit the lab once and get everything done.
Where can I get annual blood work near me? Personalabs partners with Labcorp, which operates over 2,000 patient service centers nationwide. Use our lab locator to find the nearest location.
