Blood Tests for General Health Assessment
For a general health screening in adults, obtain a complete blood count (CBC), comprehensive metabolic panel (including electrolytes, renal function, liver enzymes, and glucose), lipid profile, and thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH). 1
Core Laboratory Panel
The essential first-tier tests for general health assessment include:
CBC with differential to evaluate oxygen-carrying capacity, identify anemia, assess immune function, and screen for blood disorders 1, 2, 3
Comprehensive metabolic panel containing:
- Serum creatinine and estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) for kidney function 1
- Electrolytes (sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, magnesium) for metabolic status 1, 4
- Liver function tests (ALT, AST, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin, albumin) to screen for liver disease 1
- Fasting glucose or HbA1c for diabetes screening 1
Lipid profile including total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, and triglycerides for cardiovascular risk assessment 1
TSH to screen for thyroid dysfunction 1
Additional Tests Based on Risk Factors
For patients with cardiovascular risk factors or hypertension, the European Society of Cardiology recommends adding uric acid and urinary albumin-to-creatinine ratio to assess for hypertension-mediated organ damage 1. These tests help stratify cardiovascular risk and guide treatment intensity.
For patients with metabolic syndrome features (elevated BMI >25, hypertension, or abnormal glucose), consider adding HbA1c if not already obtained, as this provides a 3-month average of glucose control rather than a single point-in-time measurement 1.
Interpretation Considerations
When reviewing results, several critical principles apply:
Context matters profoundly: Abnormal results must be interpreted alongside previous results, past medical history, and current clinical condition rather than in isolation 1
Magnitude of abnormality does not equal clinical significance: The specific analyte that is abnormal and the clinical context determine importance, not just the degree of elevation 1
Provide clinical information with requests: Laboratory interpretation is most accurate when staff understand the clinical scenario, even brief details like "routine screening" or "fatigue and weight loss" improve result handling 2
Common Pitfalls to Avoid
Avoid over-testing in asymptomatic, low-risk individuals, as this wastes resources and may lead to unnecessary follow-up of clinically insignificant findings 5. The tests listed above represent a balanced, evidence-based approach for general screening.
Do not ignore mildly abnormal results: Even values just outside the reference range warrant consideration for further investigation with a standard etiology screen, particularly for liver tests 1. The extent of abnormality does not necessarily predict clinical significance.
Ensure proper fasting status when indicated, particularly for glucose and lipid measurements, as non-fasting samples can produce misleading results that trigger unnecessary interventions 1.