You want to live a long and healthy life, and this means taking care of your health. You need wellness checks with your primary care physician, no matter how old you are. One thing your healthcare provider might suggest is that you have blood work done. But “how often to get blood work done” is your question. It’s something you’ve never really given a lot of thought to.
Blood work can provide a lot of information about your overall health. Blood work can reveal your cholesterol and blood sugar levels. It can also offer more information about organ function and your hormone levels. Your blood work shows if some medication is working properly or if it’s time to try something different. However, how often to get blood work done can depend on your age.
How often should you get blood work done in your 20s is different than how often should you get blood work done in your 30s. Here’s a look at everything you need to know:
Routine Blood Tests by Age
How often should you get blood work done in your 20s, 30s, and beyond depends on a few factors, such as your overall health. Also, it depends on the type of testing you and your healthcare provider want done. Some common blood work includes a complete blood count (CBC), complete metabolic panel (CMP), basic metabolic panel (BMP), and lipoprotein panel. While there are general guidelines for how often to get blood work done based on your age, your healthcare provider should review your options with you and address any questions you may have. If you are being prescribed medication or treated for a chronic condition, we will request annual blood tests to monitor organ function, as these medications are often metabolized by the liver and kidneys. Here are a few of the guidelines for how often to get your blood work done:
Blood Work in Your 20s
In your 20s, it’s easy to feel healthy and avoid blood tests. However, you should have your blood tested for cholesterol and blood sugar levels every 3 to 5 years. Your healthcare provider may recommend additional blood work based on your personal health history.
Blood Work in Your 30s
Depending on your health history, lifestyle, and current symptoms, your healthcare provider may ask you to have blood work done more frequently. However, how often should you get blood work done in your 30s is every 3 years.
Blood Work in Your 40s
In your 40s, you should have blood work done every two to three years. You and your healthcare provider can review your health history and other factors during your wellness checks to decide when it’s best for you to have blood work completed.
Blood Work in Your 50s
You want to be able to recognize health problems before they become serious. For this reason, in your 50s, your healthcare provider may recommend that you have blood work done yearly during your wellness check.
Blood Work in Your 60s
As you move into your senior years, your healthcare provider will want you to have blood work done each year. The healthcare provider takes into account your health history and may recommend other testing along with your blood work.
Blood Work in Your 70s
In your 70s, you should have your blood work done at least once each year. However, your healthcare provider might recommend that you have it done more often, especially if you’re making frequent healthcare provider visits to ensure your overall health.
Schedule Your Routine Blood Work at Middle Park Health
How often to get blood work done is a matter best decided between you and your healthcare provider. However, there are guidelines. At Middle Park Health, our extensive laboratory teams can draw your blood and run the necessary tests. You can rely on us to provide you with accurate results. Our team can answer any questions you have and always use a gentle touch. Contact us today.
