Let’s Talk Bloodwork
This post is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Please consult your healthcare provider for personalized guidance.
If you've ever looked at your lab results and felt completely lost, you're not alone. Bloodwork can seem like a jumble of letters, numbers, and strange abbreviations—but it's actually one of the most useful tools in preventive care. Whether you're checking your cholesterol, liver function, or vitamin levels, these tests offer a snapshot of your health that can guide long-term decisions.
As a primary care provider, I spend a lot of time explaining labs to patients—and I love doing it. It’s empowering when people understand what’s going on in their own bodies. In this post, I’ll break down the basics of common blood tests, what they’re looking for, and why they matter.
Why Bloodwork Matters
Bloodwork isn’t just for when you’re sick—it’s a proactive way to stay on top of your health. It helps us detect early issues, monitor chronic conditions, track the effects of medications or lifestyle changes, and assess further risk factors for your vital organs or nutritional deficiencies.
How Often Should You Get Bloodwork?
For most healthy adults, a basic panel of labs is typically recommended once a year during your annual physical. However, the frequency may increase based on chronic conditions, new symptoms, medications, or family history. It’s not a one-size-fits-all approach—your provider will tailor lab testing to your individual health needs.
Common Blood Tests Explained
Here’s a breakdown of the tests I order most often and what they’re checking:
CBC (Complete Blood Count)
Looks at red and white blood cells, hemoglobin, hematocrit, and platelets
Helps detect anemia, infection, inflammation, and some blood disorders
CMP (Comprehensive Metabolic Panel)
Electrolytes (sodium, potassium), kidney function (BUN, creatinine), and glucose, liver function tests (AST, ALT, ALP, bilirubin) and proteins.
Important for monitoring organ function, hydration, and blood sugar levels
Lipid Panel
Measures cholesterol types: total, HDL (good), LDL (bad), and triglycerides
Helps assess your risk of heart disease and stroke
Hemoglobin A1C
Average blood sugar over 2–3 months
Used to screen for or monitor diabetes and prediabetes
Thyroid Panel
TSH, Free T3, Free T4 (sometimes TPO antibodies if autoimmune thyroid disease is suspected)
Evaluates how well your thyroid is functioning, which affects energy, metabolism, mood, and more
Vitamin D, B12, and Iron Studies
Common nutrient deficiencies, especially in people with fatigue, hair thinning, mood changes, or dietary restrictions
Iron studies can help assess for anemia and related conditions
What “Normal” Really Means
One of the most misunderstood things about bloodwork is the idea of “normal.” Lab results are compared to reference ranges, but those ranges can vary between labs, and even between people. What’s “normal” for one person may be too high or too low for another. That’s why it's so important to interpret lab results in context—not just based on a number on a screen. Trends over time are often more meaningful than a single abnormal result.
When to Be Concerned—and When Not to Panic
It’s completely normal for patients to get nervous when they see something “flagged” in their results. But not every abnormal value is cause for alarm. When something is concerning, your provider will usually recommend repeating the test, ordering more specific labs, or referring you to a specialist.
How to Prepare for Bloodwork
To get the most accurate results, there are a few things you can do before your labs:
Fasting: For tests like glucose, lipid panels, and sometimes CMPs, fasting 8–12 hours beforehand may be required (your provider will tell you if needed)
Hydration: Drink water! It helps with blood draw and improves sample quality- you can drink water while fasting for bloodwork
Medication: Ask if you should take your usual medications beforehand—some might affect your results
Avoid alcohol and intense exercise 24–48 hours before certain tests, especially liver or muscle-related labs
Bloodwork is one of the most powerful tools we have in primary care—and it’s not just for diagnosing problems, but for preventing them. Understanding your labs means you’re not just a passive patient—you’re an informed participant in your own health. There are many more labs that can be checked, your provider should suggest those to you based on your reported symptoms during your visit. If a patient has a certain lab test they want checked, I let them know if that is something that would likely not be covered by their insurance and explain why. Most patients would still like the specific value checked and are happy to pay out of pocket for those things.
That’s all for this post— see you next time!
Nina