When you go to the doctor, it’s pretty common to hear that your blood tests are normal and you should just keep doing what you’re doing. But this can be frustrating, especially if you’re there because you’re not feeling well physically, mentally, or emotionally.

In our healthcare system, there’s often not enough time for doctors to take a proactive and thorough approach to your health. They might go for quick fixes and sometimes prescribe medications you might not really need. So, getting a comprehensive lab workup that gives a deeper understanding of your health can be tough.

It’s important to take charge of your health by regularly checking important markers, like your thyroid function or nutrient levels, through annual blood testing. These markers, called biomarkers, give a clear picture of how your body is working and can help catch potential problems early. Being proactive in this way can really make a difference in staying healthy and stopping issues from becoming serious and only showing up in normal blood results when it’s too late.

Here are five main groups of blood tests you should consider doing each year for a healthier life.

1. Base bloods

During your annual check-up at your regular doctor’s visit, they usually do some important blood tests like Full Blood Count (FBC), Urea and Electrolytes, and Liver Function tests. These tests are like health detectives, giving your doctor crucial info about things like your hydration, kidney and liver health, and the levels of different blood cells. They can even spot signs of infections or anaemia.

Knowing what’s considered normal for these tests is important because it helps catch potential health problems early. For instance, if your liver enzyme levels are on the higher side of normal, it might suggest a need to address inflammation in your liver sooner rather than later. Taking action early like this is key to stopping illnesses from getting worse.

2) Metabolic Markers

Understanding how your body processes nutrients is really important for assessing your health. When you go for your regular check-up, your doctor usually checks your basic lipid panel and glucose levels. Some people might also get a haemoglobin A1c test, especially if they’re at a higher risk of heart disease.

For those with a higher risk of heart issues, doctors might do more thorough tests to better understand how cholesterol levels relate to heart disease risk. It’s good to know that just having high cholesterol doesn’t automatically mean you have a higher risk of heart disease.

The haemoglobin A1c test (HbA1c) is like a snapshot of your average blood glucose levels over a few months. It helps show how much oxidation is happening in your body. High blood glucose levels can lead to oxidation, which damages proteins, DNA, and tissues over time. So, keeping these values in check is important for your overall health.

If any of these markers show abnormal levels, it could mean your body isn’t processing glucose properly, raising the risk for conditions like diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and Alzheimer’s disease. Keeping an eye on these markers is a smart way to take care of your health.

3) Essential Nutrients

Iron, vitamin D, vitamin B12, and magnesium are really important for your body to work its best. Surprisingly, these key nutrients are often overlooked during regular check-ups with your doctor. Many people end up lacking in these nutrients for different reasons, so it’s crucial to get regular checks and take supplements if needed. Not having enough of these nutrients can lead to symptoms like feeling tired and even more serious health issues.

A lot of people have shared how much better they feel when they address these deficiencies. It’s like a total makeover for their overall well-being.

But here’s the thing – it’s not just about being in the “normal” range for these nutrients. We should aim for the “optimal” levels. Take vitamin D, for example. The normal range is 50-200 nmol/l, but experts often say the best range is 70-100 nmol/l. Keeping your vitamin D levels at least at 75 nmol/l can bring benefits like stronger bones, better dental health, preventing falls and fractures, lowering the risk of cancer and high blood pressure, and even keeping your mental health in good shape.

Trying to reach these optimal levels can make a big difference in your overall health, mental well-being, immunity, and energy levels.

4) Thyroid Panel

When we talk about the thyroid, doctors usually check a couple of things like thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) and total T4. But these markers might not give the full picture of how your thyroid is doing. It’s better to take a closer look by regularly checking six more thyroid-related values: Free T4, Total T3, Free T3, anti-TPO Ab, and anti-Thyroglobulin Ab. This way, we get a more accurate idea of how your thyroid is working.

Instead of just sticking to what’s considered “normal,” it’s important to aim for the best ranges. For example, the normal TSH range is usually thought to be 0.2 – 4.5, but some studies suggest that your body might not be at its best when TSH goes above 2.5. Keeping your thyroid in good shape is crucial for important processes in your body, and it can also play a role in things like weight changes and other symptoms when things aren’t going well.

5) Inflammatory Markers

When doctors do regular blood tests, they often overlook inflammatory markers, which can tell us a lot about how our body is doing.

One important marker is high sensitivity CRP (hsCRP), and it gives us a heads-up about general inflammation. Even a small increase in hsCRP can mean a higher risk of issues like heart problems or feeling down.

If your levels are high, it means your body is dealing with inflammation, which could be caused by things like injuries, stress, environmental toxins, allergies, sitting around too much, or even certain foods.

Another marker to look at is homocysteine, an amino acid that needs vitamin B12 and folate to be cleared from the body. High homocysteine levels might mean you’re at risk for stroke, heart disease, or issues with B vitamins and cancer genes.

Taking care of these markers is a good way to stay on top of your health. It’s like a proactive approach to managing risks and promoting healthy aging.

A final word

Getting your yearly blood tests is a fantastic way to kick off your journey to better health. But what’s even more impactful is having a team of trusted doctors or health experts who can help turn all that information into a plan you can actually follow. Whether you’re dealing with a long-term health issue or just aiming for a healthier life, these key blood tests can provide you and your healthcare team with the insights needed to get going.

You can choose to have these tests done at the clinic with a regular venous blood test or even do a convenient finger prick blood test at home. The important part is having the information and support to make a real difference in your health journey.

Book a 30 minute appointment with a Thyme GP to discuss your health and explore the right blood test package for you. All blood test costs will be explained before you decide to go ahead.