Patient Guide

Annual Health Checkup: Tests You Need by Age

An annual blood test panel catches silent problems before they become serious. Here's exactly which tests to get at each age: and why each one matters.

Written by Suman Konda, PharmD, Clinical Pharmacist · Editorial policy · Not medical advice

Last updated: 01 August 2026 · How we check our content

Tests everyone should get (all ages)

Test	Why	Link
CBC	Anaemia, infection, platelet disorders	Read more
Fasting Blood Sugar	Diabetes screening	Read more
HbA1c	3-month sugar average: more reliable than single reading	Read more
Lipid Profile	Heart disease risk (cholesterol, triglycerides)	Read more
TSH (Thyroid)	Thyroid disease: affects weight, energy, mood	Read more
Vitamin D	Deficiency is common, especially with limited sun exposure	Read more
Vitamin B12	Deficiency very common in vegetarians	Read more
Urine Routine	Kidney disease, diabetes, UTI screen	Read more

Add these in your 30s

KFT (Kidney Function Test): Creatinine, urea, eGFR. Early kidney disease has no symptoms. Read more
LFT (Liver Function Test): Fatty liver is increasingly common from the 30s. Read more
Uric Acid: Gout risk rises with age and dietary habits. Read more
Ferritin: Iron stores, especially important for women with heavy periods. Read more
ECG (not a blood test): Baseline heart rhythm check

Add these in your 40s

CRP (C-Reactive Protein): Chronic low-grade inflammation is a heart disease risk factor. Read more
HbA1c: Diabetes risk rises sharply in 40s, especially with family history or weight gain
Eye check: Glaucoma and early diabetic eye disease screening
Urine Microalbumin: Earliest sign of kidney damage from diabetes or hypertension

Add these in your 50s and above

PSA (men): Prostate health screening from age 50 (earlier with family history). Read more
Bone Density (DEXA scan): Osteoporosis risk rises for women post-menopause
Colonoscopy: Colorectal cancer screening from 50
Annual ECG and Echo: Heart structure and function

Special tests for women (at any age)

Ferritin: Monthly blood loss from menstruation depletes iron stores
LH / FSH / Testosterone: If irregular periods, hair loss or PCOS suspected. Read more
Pap smear: Cervical cancer screening, every 3 years from age 21
Mammogram: Breast cancer screening, annually from 40–45

Frequently Asked Questions

Which tests are included in a routine health check?

A typical check covers blood pressure, cholesterol, blood glucose or HbA1c, a full blood count, and kidney and liver function, with additional tests based on age, sex, and risk factors.

How often should I have a health check?

For most healthy adults, every few years is reasonable, becoming more frequent with age or existing conditions. Your doctor tailors the interval to your personal risk.

Do normal results mean I'm completely healthy?

Normal results are reassuring but not a guarantee: they reflect a snapshot in time, so ongoing healthy habits and reporting new symptoms remain important.