You’re experiencing unusual, persistent symptoms.People over age 50 should get a fecal occult blood test to screen for colorectal cancer annually.īut some doctors may still suggest routine blood work during your yearly physical exam, and in some cases, you may want to get additional testing. In addition, you should get a glucose blood test if your blood pressure is continuously above 135/80. In general, recommendations call for at minimum a lipid test starting at age 20 and every 5 years after that for people with a low risk of heart disease.įor people at a higher risk of heart disease, more frequent lipid testing may be necessary. Your doctor will decide whether you need any blood tests during your physical exam. How often you should get a physical exam may depend on your age, according to guidelines from a variety of clinical organizations: How often should I get routine blood work?

>50.0 mg/dL: severe elevation usually caused by an acute bacterial infection.You may need to fast for at least 8 hours before this test.ġ0.0 mg/dL: marked elevation typically caused by a serious bacterial or viral infection, major trauma, or systemic vasculitis LDL is “bad” because it can cause plaque to develop in your arteries, increasing your risk of heart disease. HDL is “good” because it removes harmful substances from your blood and helps the liver break them down into waste. low-density lipoprotein (LDL), or “bad” cholesterol.high-density lipoprotein (HDL), or “good” cholesterol.This test checks levels of two types of cholesterol: abnormal red blood cell destruction (hemolysis).Other abnormal levels can also indicate underlying conditions, such as: The same conclusions can be drawn from a CMP as from a BMP for the same substances that a BMP covers. bilirubin, which is waste resulting from the breakdown of red blood cells that the liver filters out.aspartate aminotransferase (AST), an enzyme found in the liver and other tissues within the body.alanine aminotransferase (ALT), an enzyme found in the liver.alkaline phosphatase (ALP), an enzyme mostly found in the bones and liver that’s involved in several bodily processes.Comprehensive metabolic panelĪ comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) includes all the measurements of a BMP as well as additional proteins and substances related to liver function, such as: Your doctor will perform follow-up tests to confirm a diagnosis. This test may require you to fast for at least 8 hours before your blood is drawn, depending on the instructions of your doctor and what the test is measuring. Basic metabolic panelĪ basic metabolic panel (BMP) usually checks for levels of eight compounds in the blood: nutritional deficiencies, such as vitamin B6 or B12īased on your results, your doctor will order follow-up tests to confirm abnormal levels and a possible diagnosis.Hematocrit (percentage of blood made of red blood cells)Ībnormal levels of these components may indicate: Hemoglobin (protein within the red blood cells that carries oxygen to organs and tissues, and carbon dioxide back to the lungs) Platelets (the substances that control the clotting of the blood) White blood cells (immune system cells in the blood) Red blood cells (cells responsible for carrying oxygen throughout the body)

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