What tests should I undergo for a full check-up with my General Practitioner (GP)?

Medical Advisory BoardAll articles are reviewed for accuracy by our Medical Advisory Board
Educational purpose only • Exercise caution as content is pending human review
Article Review Status
Submitted
Under Review
Approved

Last updated: August 24, 2025 • View editorial policy

Personalize

Help us tailor your experience

Which best describes you? Your choice helps us use language that's most understandable for you.

Recommended Tests for a Full Check-up with Your GP

For a comprehensive health check-up with your GP, you should undergo a complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel, lipid profile, thyroid function tests, urinalysis, and blood glucose test as the core screening tests. These tests provide essential information about your overall health status and can help identify common conditions early.

Core Laboratory Tests

Blood Tests

  • Complete Blood Count (CBC) 1, 2, 3

    • Evaluates red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets
    • Helps detect anemia, infections, and certain blood disorders
    • Includes hemoglobin, hematocrit, white blood cell count with differential, and platelet count

  • Comprehensive Metabolic Panel 1, 4

    • Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, bicarbonate)
    • Kidney function tests (blood urea nitrogen, creatinine, estimated glomerular filtration rate)
    • Liver function tests (ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin)
    • Blood glucose (for diabetes screening)
    • Calcium (for bone health and metabolic disorders)

  • Lipid Profile 1

    • Total cholesterol
    • LDL cholesterol (bad cholesterol)
    • HDL cholesterol (good cholesterol)
    • Triglycerides
    • Important for cardiovascular risk assessment

  • Thyroid Function Tests 1

    • Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
    • Particularly important for people with family history of thyroid disorders

Other Basic Tests

  • Urinalysis 1, 4

    • Screens for kidney disease, urinary tract infections, and diabetes
    • Includes assessment for protein, glucose, blood, and signs of infection

  • Hemoglobin A1C 1

    • Measures average blood glucose over the past 2-3 months
    • Important for diabetes screening and monitoring

Additional Tests Based on Age, Sex, and Risk Factors

Age-Specific Considerations

  • For adults 65 years and older 1:
    • Cognitive performance assessment
    • Functional performance assessment
    • Bone health assessment (calcium, vitamin D, phosphorus)

Sex-Specific Tests

  • For women:

    • Pregnancy test if relevant 1

  • For men:

    • Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test (discuss with your doctor about the benefits and limitations)

Risk-Based Tests

  • Vitamin B12 levels if you take metformin 1
  • Hepatitis screening for those at risk 1

Important Considerations

Test Limitations

  • Normal laboratory values don't always rule out serious conditions 4
  • Some tests may require fasting (typically 8-12 hours), so ask your GP about preparation requirements

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

  • Don't assume that "routine" tests cover everything - discuss your specific health concerns with your GP
  • Avoid interpreting test results on your own - always review results with your healthcare provider
  • Remember that not all tests are necessary for everyone - testing should be based on your age, sex, risk factors, and symptoms

Follow-up

  • Schedule a follow-up appointment to review and discuss your test results
  • Bring a list of questions about your results to this appointment
  • Be prepared to discuss any abnormal findings and potential next steps

By undergoing these recommended tests during your full check-up, you and your GP will have valuable information to assess your current health status and identify potential health concerns early, when they're most treatable.

References

1
Guideline

Guideline Directed Topic Overview

Dr.Oracle Medical Advisory Board & Editors, 2025

3
Research

Understanding the complete blood count with differential.

Journal of perianesthesia nursing : official journal of the American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses, 2003

4
Guideline

Diagnostic Evaluation and Management

Praxis Medical Insights: Practical Summaries of Clinical Guidelines, 2025

Related Questions

What laboratory tests are used to evaluate fatigue?
What blood work is recommended for a general health assessment?
What is the most appropriate diagnostic test for a patient with spontaneous gingival bleeding and bullous lesions, taking metoprolol, hydrochlorothiazide, lovastatin, and aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid)?
What tests should be ordered for a workup?
What tests should be included in a comprehensive blood investigation?
How to manage an injection site reaction?
What are the half-lives of Bupropion (Immediate Release) IR, (Sustained Release) SR, and (Extended Release) XL?
What is the next step for a patient with blunt abdominal trauma who is hemodynamically unstable and has free fluid on Focused Assessment with Sonography for Trauma (FAST)?
What is the recommended dosage of Xarelto (rivaroxaban) for an 86-year-old male with atrial flutter and a CHA2DS2-VASc (Congestive heart failure, Hypertension, Age ≥ 75 years, Diabetes, Stroke or transient ischemic attack, Vascular disease, Age 65-74 years, Sex category) score of 5?
What is the recommended calculation and composition for priming fluid in a cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) circuit?
What is the initial treatment for acute back pain?

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

Have a follow-up question?

Our Medical A.I. is used by practicing medical doctors at top research institutions around the world. Ask any follow up question and get world-class guideline-backed answers instantly.

Ask Question