Top 10 Health Markers to Check in Your Blood Annually in 2025

Your blood tells a powerful story about your overall health. While many people only see a doctor when something feels wrong, the most proactive approach to wellness involves regularly monitoring key blood biomarkers — ideally once a year. Annual blood work can catch developing issues long before symptoms appear, giving you and your healthcare provider valuable time to intervene early. In 2025, at-home health testing has become more accessible than ever, allowing you to check critical markers from the comfort of your home through trusted services like Personalabs. This comprehensive guide walks you through the ten most important blood health markers everyone should have checked annually, what the results mean, and how you can take control of your health journey this year.

Table of Contents

1. 1. Complete Blood Count (CBC)
2. 2. Lipid Panel (Cholesterol & Triglycerides)
3. 3. Fasting Blood Glucose & HbA1c
4. 4. Liver Function Tests (ALT, AST, ALP)
5. 5. Kidney Function (Creatinine, BUN, eGFR)
6. 6. Thyroid Panel (TSH, T3, T4)
7. 7. Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy Vitamin D)
8. 8. Iron & Ferritin
9. 9. Inflammation Markers (hs-CRP)
10. 10. Electrolytes & Mineral Balance

1. Complete Blood Count (CBC)

The Complete Blood Count, commonly referred to as a CBC, is one of the most fundamental and frequently ordered blood tests in all of medicine. This test provides a detailed look at the three major types of cells found in your blood: red blood cells (RBCs), white blood cells (WBCs), and platelets. Each of these cell types serves a critical function in keeping your body operating at its best. Red blood cells carry oxygen from your lungs to every tissue in your body, white blood cells are the frontline soldiers of your immune system defending against infection, and platelets are essential for proper blood clotting.

When you get a CBC, the test typically measures several key parameters within each cell type. For red blood cells, it looks at the count itself, hemoglobin levels (the protein that carries oxygen), hematocrit (the percentage of blood that is made up of red cells), and the mean corpuscular volume (MCV) which indicates the average size of your red cells. Abnormal values in these areas can signal conditions ranging from simple iron deficiency anemia to more serious disorders like sickle cell disease or chronic blood loss. For white blood cells, a high count might indicate your body is fighting an infection or dealing with inflammation, while a low count could point to bone marrow issues or certain autoimmune conditions. Platelets are measured for both count and function — if your platelet count is too low, you may bruise easily or have trouble stopping bleeding; too high and you could be at risk for dangerous blood clots. Getting a CBC annually gives your healthcare provider a baseline snapshot of your blood health and can alert you to problems that might otherwise go unnoticed for months or years.

2. Lipid Panel (Cholesterol & Triglycerides)

A lipid panel is a group of blood tests that measure the different types of fats (lipids) circulating in your bloodstream. Understanding your lipid profile is one of the most important steps you can take toward preventing cardiovascular disease, which remains the leading cause of death in the United States and many other countries around the world. The main components measured in a standard lipid panel include total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol (often called “bad” cholesterol), HDL cholesterol (the “good” cholesterol), and triglycerides. Each of these measurements gives a different piece of the puzzle regarding your heart health and overall metabolic status.

LDL cholesterol is considered particularly dangerous because it can build up on the walls of your arteries, forming plaques that narrow and stiffen blood vessels over time — a condition known as atherosclerosis. When these plaques rupture, they can cause blood clots that lead to heart attacks or strokes. HDL cholesterol, on the other hand, helps transport excess cholesterol away from your artery walls and back to your liver for processing and elimination. Triglycerides are the most common type of fat in the body and serve as a major energy source, but elevated levels are associated with increased risk of pancreatitis and cardiovascular disease. In 2025, cardiovascular screening guidelines have increasingly emphasized the importance of early and regular lipid testing, especially for individuals with family histories of heart disease, those who are overweight, or people living sedentary lifestyles. An at-home lipid panel from Personalabs makes it easier than ever to monitor these crucial markers without needing a doctor’s visit. Keeping your LDL below 100 mg/dL (or lower depending on your risk profile), your HDL above 40 mg/dL for men and above 50 mg/dL for women, and your triglycerides below 150 mg/dL are general targets, though your doctor may set different goals based on your personal health picture.

3. Fasting Blood Glucose & HbA1c

Monitoring your blood sugar levels is absolutely essential for detecting prediabetes and diabetes early, before irreversible damage occurs throughout your body. There are several ways to measure blood glucose, but for an annual checkup, the two most important values are the fasting blood glucose test and the hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) test. The fasting blood glucose test measures the amount of sugar (glucose) in your blood at a single moment in time, typically after you have not eaten anything for at least eight hours. The HbA1c test, on the other hand, provides a picture of your average blood sugar levels over the preceding two to three months, giving a much more comprehensive view of your glucose metabolism than a single snapshot can provide.

Diabetes is a condition that develops gradually, often over years, and the early stages (prediabetes) produce few if any noticeable symptoms. By the time many people are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, significant damage has already been done to blood vessels, nerves, kidneys, and eyes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, more than 88 million American adults have prediabetes, but more than 80% of them don’t know it. An annual fasting glucose test can catch elevated blood sugar early, and the HbA1c provides context about whether your glucose has been consistently running high. If your fasting glucose is between 100 and 125 mg/dL, that indicates prediabetes; 126 mg/dL or higher on two separate occasions suggests diabetes. For HbA1c, a result between 5.7% and 6.4% signals prediabetes, while 6.5% or higher indicates diabetes. The good news is that both prediabetes and early-stage type 2 diabetes can often be reversed or managed effectively through lifestyle changes — but only if you know they exist. Using an at-home blood glucose test from Personalabs gives you a convenient way to stay on top of this critical marker every single year.

4. Liver Function Tests (ALT, AST, ALP)

Your liver is one of the hardest-working organs in your body, performing over 500 distinct functions that are essential for keeping you alive and healthy. From filtering toxins and processing nutrients to producing bile for digestion and synthesizing important proteins, the liver does it all. Liver function tests (LFTs) are a group of blood tests that measure the levels of certain enzymes and proteins in your blood that provide clues about how well your liver is performing its many jobs. The most commonly measured liver enzymes include Alanine Transaminase (ALT), Aspartate Transaminase (AST), and Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP), along with bilirubin and albumin levels.

ALT and AST are enzymes found primarily inside liver cells. When liver cells become damaged or inflamed — due to conditions like hepatitis, fatty liver disease, alcohol abuse, medication toxicity, or liver cancer — these enzymes leak out into the bloodstream, causing their levels to rise. ALT is generally considered more specific to the liver than AST, but both are important markers that doctors look at together. ALP is an enzyme found in the bile ducts and bone tissue, so an elevated ALP can indicate problems with bile flow (cholestasis) or bone disorders. Bilirubin is a yellow pigment produced when red blood cells break down; elevated bilirubin can cause jaundice and may indicate liver or bile duct problems. Albumin is a protein made by the liver that helps maintain fluid balance in the blood and transports hormones, vitamins, and other substances throughout the body. Low albumin levels can signal chronic liver disease or malnutrition. Fatty liver disease (now called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, or MASLD) has become one of the most common liver conditions worldwide, affecting an estimated 30% of the global population. Because it often produces no symptoms until significant damage has been done, annual liver function testing is a smart preventive measure that everyone should include in their yearly health screening.

5. Kidney Function (Creatinine, BUN, eGFR)

Your kidneys are remarkable organs, each containing about a million tiny filtering units called nephrons that work around the clock to remove waste products and excess fluids from your blood. Kidney function testing is critical because kidney disease is often called a “silent killer” — it typically progresses without symptoms until the kidneys have already lost the majority of their function. In the United States alone, approximately 37 million people have chronic kidney disease (CKD), and most of them don’t know it. The three primary blood markers used to assess kidney function are creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN), and the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR).

Creatinine is a waste product generated from the normal breakdown of muscle tissue; your kidneys filter it out of the blood and eliminate it through urine. When kidney function declines, creatinine accumulates in the bloodstream, causing blood levels to rise. BUN measures the amount of nitrogen (in the form of urea) in your blood that comes from the breakdown of protein. Both creatinine and BUN are used to calculate the eGFR, which is considered the best overall measure of kidney function. A normal eGFR is typically 90 or higher; values below 60 for three months or more indicate chronic kidney disease. Beyond these markers, many kidney panels also include measurements of blood urea acid (which, when elevated, can cause gout) and electrolytes like sodium and potassium, which the kidneys help regulate. Risk factors for kidney disease include diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease, family history, and older age. Early detection through annual blood testing allows for interventions that can slow or prevent further kidney damage, including medications, dietary changes, and better management of underlying conditions like diabetes and hypertension.

6. Thyroid Panel (TSH, T3, T4)

The thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located in the front of your neck, but its influence on your health is enormous. The thyroid produces two primary hormones — thyroxine (T4) and triiodothyronine (T3) — that regulate nearly every organ system in your body, including your heart rate, body temperature, metabolism, and energy levels. When the thyroid produces too much hormone (hyperthyroidism) or too little (hypothyroidism), it can cause a wide range of symptoms that are often mistaken for other conditions. A comprehensive thyroid panel typically measures Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), Free T4, and Free T3.

TSH is produced by the pituitary gland in the brain and is the most sensitive marker for detecting thyroid dysfunction. When thyroid hormone levels are low, TSH rises to try to stimulate the thyroid to produce more — this pattern indicates hypothyroidism. When thyroid hormones are high, TSH drops to try to slow production — this pattern indicates hyperthyroidism. Free T4 and Free T3 measure the active, unbound forms of these hormones circulating in the blood, giving clinicians a more direct picture of thyroid hormone levels. According to the American Thyroid Association, an estimated 20 million Americans have some form of thyroid disease, and up to 60% of those are unaware of their condition. Women are five to eight times more likely than men to develop thyroid problems. Symptoms of an underactive thyroid can include fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation, dry skin, and depression. Symptoms of an overactive thyroid can include weight loss, rapid heartbeat, heat intolerance, diarrhea, and anxiety. With services like Personalabs, you can check your TSH levels at home with a simple finger-stick test, making annual thyroid monitoring accessible to everyone.

7. Vitamin D (25-Hydroxy Vitamin D)

Vitamin D is often called the “sunshine vitamin” because your body naturally produces it when your skin is exposed to sunlight. However, despite this seemingly simple production mechanism, vitamin D deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies worldwide, affecting an estimated one billion people. The primary blood test used to assess vitamin D status is the 25-hydroxyvitamin D test, which measures the major circulating form of the vitamin in your blood. This test provides the most accurate picture of how much vitamin D your body has overall, from sunlight exposure, diet, and supplements combined.

Vitamin D is critical for maintaining strong bones because it helps your intestines absorb calcium from the food you eat. Without adequate vitamin D, your body cannot absorb enough calcium, leading to soft, brittle bones in adults (osteomalacia) and deformed bones in children (rickets). Beyond bone health, research over the past two decades has revealed that vitamin D plays important roles in immune function, muscle strength, cardiovascular health, and possibly even mood regulation. Low vitamin D levels have been associated with an increased risk of respiratory infections, autoimmune diseases, certain cancers, and depression. The Institute of Medicine considers blood levels of 20–50 ng/mL (50–125 nmol/L) sufficient for most people, while levels below 20 ng/mL indicate deficiency. Certain groups are at higher risk for deficiency, including people with darker skin tones, those who live in northern latitudes with limited winter sunlight, individuals who are obese, older adults, and people who wear clothing that covers most of their skin. Because vitamin D levels can fluctuate seasonally (generally rising in summer months and falling in winter), annual testing is recommended, particularly before the winter season so you know if you need to supplement.

8. Iron & Ferritin

Iron is an essential mineral that your body uses to make hemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen from your lungs to every tissue in your body. Without adequate iron, your body cannot produce enough healthy red blood cells, leading to iron deficiency anemia — a condition characterized by fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating. Iron is also needed for proper immune function and cognitive performance. The two most important blood tests for assessing iron status are serum iron (which measures the amount of iron circulating in your blood) and ferritin (which measures the amount of iron stored in your body’s tissues).

Ferritin is generally considered the more useful marker because it reflects your body’s iron reserves rather than a single moment in time measurement that can be influenced by what you ate that day. Low ferritin is the first indicator of iron deficiency, even before hemoglobin levels drop. Elevated ferritin, on the other hand, can indicate iron overload (hemochromatosis), inflammation, infection, or excessive supplementation. Iron deficiency is one of the most common nutritional deficiencies globally, affecting roughly 30% of the world’s population. It is particularly prevalent among women of reproductive age due to menstrual blood loss, pregnant women, growing children, and vegetarians or vegans who may not absorb as much iron from plant-based sources (non-heme iron). Symptoms of iron deficiency anemia can be subtle and develop slowly, often dismissed as just feeling “tired” or “stressed.” Annual iron and ferritin testing can catch deficiency early, allowing for dietary adjustments or targeted supplementation before anemia develops and impacts your quality of life and productivity.

9. Inflammation Markers (hs-CRP)

Chronic inflammation has emerged as one of the most important underlying factors in a wide range of modern diseases, from heart disease and diabetes to Alzheimer’s disease and certain cancers. While acute inflammation is a normal and healthy part of your immune system’s response to injury or infection, chronic inflammation — inflammation that persists at low levels over months or years — can quietly damage tissues and organs without producing obvious symptoms. The high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) test is one of the most commonly used blood tests for detecting chronic inflammation and assessing cardiovascular risk.

CRP is a protein produced by the liver in response to inflammation anywhere in the body. The standard CRP test can detect markedly elevated levels during acute infections or inflammatory conditions, but the high-sensitivity version (hs-CRP) is sensitive enough to detect the subtle, chronic elevations associated with cardiovascular risk. According to the American Heart Association, an hs-CRP level below 1.0 mg/L is considered low risk, 1.0–3.0 mg/L is average risk, and above 3.0 mg/L is high risk. People with persistently elevated hs-CRP have approximately two to three times the risk of heart attack or stroke compared to those with lower levels. Beyond cardiovascular health, elevated CRP can signal underlying inflammatory conditions such as autoimmune disorders, chronic infections, or even some cancers. Lifestyle factors that contribute to chronic inflammation include smoking, poor diet high in processed foods, physical inactivity, obesity, excessive alcohol consumption, and chronic stress. Annual hs-CRP testing, especially when combined with a lipid panel, gives a much more complete picture of your cardiovascular risk than either test alone. You can check hs-CRP as part of many comprehensive at-home health panels available through Personalabs.

10. Electrolytes & Mineral Balance

Electrolytes are electrically charged minerals that are essential for maintaining the proper balance of fluids inside and outside your cells, supporting nerve signal transmission, enabling muscle contractions (including the heartbeat), and regulating blood pH. The primary electrolytes measured in routine blood testing are sodium, potassium, chloride, and bicarbonate. These minerals work in careful balance with each other, and even small deviations from normal ranges can cause significant health problems. While severe electrolyte imbalances are uncommon in healthy individuals, certain medications, medical conditions, dietary patterns, and levels of physical activity can all affect this delicate balance.

Sodium is the major extracellular electrolyte and plays a central role in regulating blood pressure and fluid balance. Both too much sodium (hypernatremia) and too little sodium (hyponatremia) can be dangerous, causing symptoms ranging from headaches and confusion to seizures and coma. Potassium is critical for normal heart and muscle function; both high and low potassium levels can cause life-threatening arrhythmias. Chloride travels with sodium and helps maintain the body’s acid-base balance. Bicarbonate is the buffer that helps keep your blood from becoming too acidic or too alkaline. Imbalances can occur with diuretic medications, kidney disease, heart failure, severe vomiting or diarrhea, and endocrine disorders. Many comprehensive metabolic panels ordered during annual checkups include electrolyte measurement. For athletes, individuals on low-carb or high-protein diets, people taking blood pressure medications, or anyone with kidney issues, regular electrolyte monitoring is especially important. At-home testing through Personalabs makes it easy to verify that your mineral balance is within healthy ranges and to discuss any abnormalities with your healthcare provider.

Comparison Table: Key Blood Markers and What They Test For

Marker	What It Measures	Normal Range	Why It Matters
Complete Blood Count (CBC)	RBC, WBC, Platelet levels	Varies by component	Detects anemia, infection, clotting issues
Lipid Panel	Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides	TC <200, LDL <100, HDL >40/50, TG <150	Heart disease and stroke risk
Fasting Glucose	Blood sugar after fasting	70–99 mg/dL	Diabetes and prediabetes detection
HbA1c	Average blood sugar over 2–3 months	Below 5.7%	Long-term glucose control assessment
ALT / AST	Liver enzymes	ALT: 7–56 U/L; AST: 10–40 U/L	Liver damage and disease detection
Creatinine / eGFR	Kidney function markers	Cr: 0.7–1.3; eGFR >90	Kidney disease detection and monitoring
TSH	Thyroid stimulating hormone	0.4–4.0 mIU/L	Thyroid dysfunction screening
Vitamin D (25-OH)	Stored vitamin D levels	20–50 ng/mL (sufficient)	Bone health, immune function
Ferritin	Iron storage in tissues	12–300 ng/mL (men); 12–150 (women)	Iron deficiency or overload detection
hs-CRP	Chronic inflammation levels	<1.0 mg/L (low risk)	Cardiovascular and inflammatory risk

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

How often should I have my blood markers checked?

For generally healthy adults with no known chronic conditions, an annual blood panel is sufficient for monitoring key health markers. However, if you have existing conditions such as diabetes, thyroid disease, high cholesterol, or kidney disease, your healthcare provider may recommend testing more frequently — sometimes every three to six months. At-home testing makes it convenient to check markers as often as recommended without needing to schedule clinic visits.

Do I need to fast before these blood tests?

Some blood tests require fasting for accurate results, while others do not. Fasting blood glucose and lipid panels (particularly triglyceride measurement) generally require 8–12 hours of fasting. CBC, thyroid panel, and hs-CRP do not require fasting. Vitamin D and iron studies can be done without fasting, though some practitioners prefer fasting for iron to get a consistent baseline. Always check with your test provider about specific fasting requirements before sample collection.

Are at-home blood tests as accurate as lab tests ordered by a doctor?

Yes, reputable at-home testing services like Personalabs use certified laboratories that meet the same clinical standards as hospital or clinic labs. The samples are analyzed using the same validated instruments and methodologies. The key advantage of at-home testing is convenience and accessibility — you collect the sample yourself using a simple finger-stick or saliva swab and mail it to the lab. Results are reviewed by board-certified physicians and delivered securely online.

What should I do if one of my blood markers is out of range?

If any of your blood test results fall outside the normal reference range, the first step is not to panic. Many factors can influence blood marker levels on any given day, including recent diet, medications, hydration status, physical activity, and even the time of day. Review your results in the context of your overall health and any symptoms you may be experiencing. Share your results with your healthcare provider, who can help interpret them in context, determine whether follow-up testing is needed, and recommend any lifestyle or treatment changes.

Can I check all 10 of these markers with a single at-home test?

While no single test kit covers absolutely every marker on this list, many comprehensive at-home health panels from Personalabs cover the majority of these critical biomarkers in one convenient test. For example, a standard metabolic panel typically includes glucose, electrolytes, kidney function, and liver function. A lipid panel covers the cholesterol markers separately. A thyroid panel covers TSH and related hormones. You may need two or three kits depending on the specific panel structure, but at-home testing still offers exceptional convenience compared to making multiple lab appointments. Visit Personalabs to explore available test panels that fit your health monitoring needs.

Conclusion

Annual blood testing is one of the most powerful tools available for maintaining good health and preventing serious disease. By monitoring the ten key blood markers covered in this guide — Complete Blood Count, lipid panel, fasting glucose and HbA1c, liver function tests, kidney function markers, thyroid hormones, vitamin D, iron and ferritin, inflammation markers (hs-CRP), and electrolytes — you give yourself a comprehensive annual snapshot of your overall health status. These tests can detect problems early, often before symptoms appear, when interventions are most effective. In 2025, at-home testing services like Personalabs have removed the biggest barriers to regular health monitoring, making it easier than ever to be proactive about your health. Don’t wait until something feels wrong. Take charge of your health today by scheduling your annual blood work and reviewing your results with a trusted healthcare provider. Your future self will thank you.

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