Annual health check: what to test at each age

Choose the panel, not the maximum

The right panel differs from person to person because risk changes with age, sex, family history, lifestyle and the type of work you do. Testing beyond what is needed adds cost and increases the chance of temporary abnormal results that trigger unnecessary repeat testing.

A sensible approach is to start with what is appropriate for your age, then add items when a specific risk is present, decided with your doctor.

Ages 20-30: build a baseline

Chronic disease is less common in this age group. The main purpose is to record baseline values for comparison later and to detect problems that cause no symptoms.

• Physical examination, blood pressure and body mass index
• Complete blood count (CBC)
• Blood sugar and lipids, especially if overweight or with family history
• Urine analysis
• Liver and kidney function if you drink alcohol regularly

Ages 35-45: start chronic disease screening

Blood pressure, diabetes and lipids become more evident in this period, so trend-based testing is more informative than a single measurement.

• Add HbA1c when the doctor considers it useful
• Full lipid profile every year
• Liver and kidney function tests
• Urine analysis and kidney assessment if you have hypertension or diabetes
• Chest X-ray according to indications or occupational risk

From 50: monitoring and targeted screening

Cardiovascular risk, diabetes and kidney disease increase with age, so the focus shifts to tracking values and screening for selected cancers according to risk and medical advice.

• Electrocardiogram (EKG) where indicated
• Colorectal screening with stool blood testing or colonoscopy as advised
• Vision and hearing checks, which affect daily safety
• Bone density testing for people at higher risk
• Reviewing items needed for your specific conditions

Why comparing with previous results matters

How a value changes over time tells a doctor more than a single reading. Keeping and bringing your previous results helps identify trends and improves decisions, so bring them to each visit.