For a healthy adult, the basic set of routine blood tests includes a full blood count, glucose, a lipid profile, TSH, creatinine, liver function tests (ALT, AST), CRP and a urine test. As a rule of thumb they are repeated once a year, or more often when a doctor advises it, for example with chronic conditions or abnormal results. The set is extended according to age, sex and risk factors, and the results are always worth discussing with a doctor.
The basic set for adults
The tests below give a general picture of how the body is working and help pick up the most common problems before they cause symptoms:
- Full blood count with differential: the number and appearance of blood cells; points to anaemia, infection or clotting disorders, among others.
- Fasting glucose: a screening test for diabetes and pre-diabetes.
- Lipid profile (total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, triglycerides): assessment of cardiovascular risk.
- TSH: the basic test of thyroid function.
- Creatinine (with calculated eGFR): kidney function.
- ALT and AST: liver enzymes.
- CRP: a marker of inflammation.
- Urine test (urinalysis): kidneys, urinary tract, presence of glucose or protein.
This set is a starting point; a doctor may narrow it down or extend it.
What to add depending on age, sex and risk factors
- Vitamin D (25-OH): for people with little sun exposure, obesity or bone disease, and to check the dose of a supplement.
- Ferritin: when iron deficiency is suspected, in women with heavy periods, on a plant-based diet, or with unexplained tiredness.
- Vitamin B12: on a plant-based diet, over the age of 60, when taking metformin or medicines that reduce stomach acid.
- HbA1c (glycated haemoglobin): average blood sugar over about 3 months; with abnormal glucose, excess weight or diabetes in the family.
- Uric acid: with gout in the family, high blood pressure, obesity or kidney stones.
- Total PSA: for men over 50 (earlier with a family history), after a conversation with a doctor about the benefits and limitations of this test.
- Electrolytes, iron, GGT, lipase: depending on symptoms and medicines taken.
- Tests in pregnancy: they follow a separate schedule (full blood count, glucose and a glucose tolerance test, blood group, TSH, serology) set by the doctor looking after the pregnancy.
- Children: the scope and frequency are decided by the paediatrician; you will find separate information on the blood tests for children page.
People with chronic conditions (high blood pressure, diabetes, thyroid, kidney or liver disease) have an individual monitoring plan set by their treating doctor. This guide does not replace it.
How often to repeat the tests
There is no single schedule that applies to everyone. As a guide:
- adults with no chronic conditions or complaints: the basic set once a year; lipid profile and glucose every 1–3 years depending on age and risk, usually every year after 40,
- people who are overweight, have high blood pressure or a family history (diabetes, heart attack or stroke in relatives before the age of 55–65): more often, as advised by a doctor,
- after an abnormal result: the doctor sets the date of the follow-up, often a few weeks or months rather than a year.
Keep your results in one place. Comparing them with previous years is often more valuable than a single value.
A doctor interprets the results, not the internet
A single result is not a diagnosis. The same parameter can be abnormal because of an infection a week ago, a workout the day before, dehydration, a medicine you take or the time of the draw. A doctor reads the result in context: symptoms, medical history, medicines, previous results and a physical examination. Search engines and online forums do not know that context.
If something in your results worries you, book an appointment with your family doctor or treating doctor. Do not start supplements or stop medicines on your own on the basis of a result.
”Normal” versus the reference range
On the laboratory printout, a reference range appears next to each result. This is the interval that contains about 95% of results from a healthy population tested with the same method. It is not a boundary between health and disease. A few practical consequences follow:
- about 1 in 20 healthy people has a result slightly outside the range, without any disease,
- ranges differ between laboratories and methods, so compare results from the same laboratory,
- ranges depend on age and sex, and sometimes on pregnancy or the phase of the cycle,
- a result “within range” can still be inappropriate for a particular person; for example, the LDL target for someone after a heart attack is different from the population range.
An arrow on the printout is a prompt to talk to a doctor, not a reason to panic.
When not to wait
Routine tests are done in the absence of symptoms. If you have symptoms, do not wait for your annual check-up. Contact a doctor, who will order targeted tests. This applies especially to:
- unintended weight loss,
- persistent tiredness, pallor, breathlessness on mild exertion,
- increased thirst and frequent urination,
- night sweats, prolonged fever or a low-grade temperature,
- easy bruising, nosebleeds or bleeding gums,
- yellowing of the skin or the whites of the eyes,
- enlarged lymph nodes,
- swollen legs, changes in the amount or appearance of urine.
Sudden, severe symptoms (chest pain, breathlessness, slurred speech, weakness of a limb) need urgent help, by calling 112 or 999, not laboratory tests.
What it looks like at Sonar Clinic
All the tests listed can be done at the Sonar Clinic sample collection point, without a referral and at a booked time. Example prices from the sample collection point price list:
- full blood count with automated differential: 18,50 zł,
- fasting glucose (serum glucose): 14 zł,
- lipid profile (panel): 42 zł,
- TSH (third generation): 32 zł,
- creatinine: 16 zł,
- ALT: 16 zł, AST: 16 zł,
- urine test: 19 zł,
- CRP: 26 zł,
- vitamin D3 (25-OH): 70 zł,
- ferritin: 50 zł,
- vitamin B12: 55 zł,
- glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c): 55 zł,
- total PSA: 44 zł.
On top of this there is a single sample collection fee: 11 zł (adults, children aged 11 and over) or 20 zł (newborns and children up to 8 years), regardless of the number of tests. The current price list is on the sample collection point page. How to collect your results is explained when you book.
You can discuss your results at a family medicine consultation, for example with Dr Wojciech Kalemba, a doctor training in family medicine who sees adult patients for internal medicine consultations, or with your own treating doctor. How to prepare for the blood draw is covered in the guide How to prepare for a blood test. Bookings: +48 880 018 703. Sonar Clinic, ul. Gubińska 8A, 54-434 Wrocław.
This content is for information only and does not replace a medical consultation. If symptoms are sudden or getting worse, contact a doctor or call 112.