What Blood Tests Should I Get Every Year?

Unlike some countries, the UK doesn’t have a routine annual blood test built into standard healthcare for most adults; the NHS mainly tests when you have symptoms or fall into a specific screening programme (such as the NHS Health Check from age 40). That leaves many people wondering: what blood tests should I get every year to stay on top of my health? Below is a sensible, evidence-informed baseline panel, how it changes with age and sex, and how to avoid both under-testing and paying for markers you don’t need.

Why consider an annual blood test at all?

Many common, serious conditions; type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, thyroid problems, iron deficiency, develop gradually and can be present for years with few or no symptoms. Annual testing isn’t about anxiety or over-medicalising normal life; it’s about catching small, easily-managed changes early, before they become bigger problems, and having a personal baseline to compare against over time.

A sensible baseline panel

For most healthy adults without specific symptoms, a good annual baseline typically covers:

• Full blood count (FBC): checks for anaemia and gives a general picture of your blood health.
• Iron studies / ferritin: particularly relevant for menstruating women and those on plant-based diets.
• Thyroid function (TSH, Free T4): thyroid problems are common and easy to miss without testing.
• Cholesterol and lipid profile: a key marker of cardiovascular risk.
• HbA1c (blood sugar): assesses your risk of prediabetes and type 2 diabetes.
• Liver function: reflects general liver health and can flag issues before symptoms appear.
• Kidney function: an important marker of overall health, especially as we age.
• Vitamin D: very commonly low in the UK, especially over autumn and winter.

Our General Health & Wellbeing Screen is built around exactly this kind of baseline, in a single appointment.

What changes with age and sex

In your 20s and 30s

A baseline panel is still worthwhile, especially iron and vitamin D. Hormone testing becomes more relevant if you have symptoms like irregular cycles, fertility concerns, or PCOS.

In your 40s

Cardiovascular and metabolic markers (cholesterol, HbA1c) become more important, and for women this is often when perimenopause symptoms can begin.

50s and beyond

Cardiovascular risk monitoring becomes more of a priority, alongside bone health and, for men, prostate health markers where relevant. Regular monitoring of existing results (comparing year to year) becomes as valuable as the individual numbers.

Tailoring your panel to symptoms or risk factors

A baseline is a starting point, not a ceiling. If you have specific symptoms or risk factors, it’s worth adding relevant markers; for example thyroid antibodies if there’s a family history, hormone panels for cycle or fertility concerns, or sports and performance markers if you train heavily. Our guides on fatigue, hair loss and weight gain go into specific symptom-led panels in more detail.

How often should you actually test?

Annual is a sensible default for most healthy adults. If a previous result was borderline, or you’re actively managing a condition, more frequent testing (say every 3–6 months) may be appropriate; discuss this with whoever is reviewing your results. If you’re young, well, and have no risk factors, testing every 1–2 years may be reasonable. There’s little value in testing more often than your results are likely to meaningfully change.

Getting started

You can book a General Health & Wellbeing Screen as your annual baseline, or browse all tests to build a more tailored panel. Every test includes a venous sample taken by an NHS-trained phlebotomist, analysis by a UKAS-accredited lab, and a review by a GMC-registered doctor, usually within 1–2 working days.

Not sure what to include? Use our free Test Finder for a personalised recommendation in under a minute.

Frequently asked questions

Does the NHS offer an annual blood test?

Not routinely for most adults outside specific programmes like the NHS Health Check (from age 40). The NHS mainly tests based on symptoms or known risk factors.

What’s the single most useful annual test?

There isn’t one; a broad baseline covering blood count, thyroid, cholesterol, blood sugar and vitamin D gives the most complete picture for most people.

Should I test more often if I have a family history of a condition?

It can be worth discussing with a clinician, certain family histories (e.g. diabetes, thyroid disease, high cholesterol) may warrant more frequent or targeted testing.

Do I need to fast for my annual test?

Some markers, like glucose and cholesterol, are best measured fasting. We’ll confirm this when you book.

Is annual testing worth it if I feel completely well?

Many of the conditions a baseline panel screens for cause no symptoms in their early stages, which is exactly why testing while you feel well can be valuable.

Important note

This article is for general education only and is not medical advice or a diagnosis. Individual testing needs vary, so speak to your GP if you have specific concerns. Trupoint Health blood tests are analysed by a UKAS-accredited laboratory and reviewed by a GMC-registered doctor.

Medically reviewed by: ____________ (GMC-registered), pending review.