How Often Should I Get Blood Work Done for Health?
Quick Answer
Most healthy adults should get basic blood work annually, while those optimizing for longevity benefit from testing every 3-6 months. Frequency depends on your age, health status, and optimization goals.
Blood Testing Frequency by Goal
Basic Health Monitoring
Standard wellness checks for healthy individuals under 40
Health Optimization
Tracking biomarkers for longevity and performance
Intensive Monitoring
Advanced protocols like Bryan Johnson's Blueprint
Testing Frequency by Age
Ages 20-30: Annual Testing
- • Basic metabolic panel and CBC annually
- • Lipid panel every 2-3 years if normal
- • Thyroid function every 2-3 years
- • More frequent if family history of disease
Ages 30-40: Semi-Annual Testing
- • Complete blood panel every 6-12 months
- • Hormone testing annually (testosterone, thyroid)
- • Inflammatory markers if optimizing health
- • HbA1c annually for diabetes screening
Ages 40+: Quarterly Testing
- • Comprehensive panels every 3-6 months
- • Advanced lipid testing quarterly
- • Cancer markers annually (PSA, etc.)
- • Nutrient levels every 6 months
How Often Do Longevity Experts Test?
Bryan Johnson
Monthly comprehensive testing including 70+ biomarkers
- • Complete blood panel monthly
- • Advanced imaging quarterly
- • Cost: ~$2,500/month
Peter Attia
Quarterly optimization testing for patients
- • Comprehensive panel every 3 months
- • Annual advanced testing
- • Cost: ~$800-1,500/quarter
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I test too often?
Generally no - blood testing is safe and non-invasive. However, testing more than monthly unless medically necessary can be expensive and may show normal fluctuations rather than meaningful trends.
What if my results are normal?
"Normal" ranges are often based on sick populations. Optimal ranges for longevity are typically tighter. Consider testing every 6 months to track trends even with "normal" results.
Should I fast before blood work?
12-hour fasting is required for accurate lipid and glucose testing. Most comprehensive panels require fasting. Hydrate well but avoid food, drinks (except water), and supplements.
Cost and Practical Considerations
Annual Testing Costs
- • Basic annual panel: $150-300
- • Comprehensive quarterly testing: $400-800 per test
- • Advanced monthly monitoring: $1,000-2,500 per test
Most insurance covers annual wellness bloodwork. Optimization testing is typically out-of-pocket.
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