Testing by age

The full test list, with the reason for each one.

This list is here so you can see everything, not because we recommend all of it. Your doctor will pick the tests that make sense for you.

Each entry explains what it measures and why it might be appropriate. Many entries are readings from the same test, such as one blood count, one chemistry panel or one urine test. One is a calculated score. So the 119 entries are not 119 separate disease checks. The list also includes tests a doctor may still use for a specific question.

Where the guidelines draw the line

Diabetes. The American Diabetes Association recommends screening by age 35, and earlier with risk factors. Your doctor also weighs your own risk.
Prostate. PSA screening is a personal decision, usually discussed between about 50 and 69, and sometimes earlier with higher risk. It always starts with a conversation.
Menopause. Typical menopause after 45 is usually diagnosed from symptoms, not blood tests. Hormone tests may help in some younger cases.
Later life. What matters is whether a result could change your care in a way that fits your goals. The “+” in 50+ does not mean more tests.

This is general information about published guidance, not medical advice. Your doctor applies it to you.

What the big groups of tests tell you

Lipid panel. One test gives several cholesterol readings. Some of them, like LDL and the ratio, are usually calculated.
ApoB and particle tests. ApoB may help some people, such as those with diabetes or high triglycerides. Detailed particle-size tests are not usually recommended.
A1c and glucose. Either one is the usual diabetes screen. A glucose from a chemistry panel may not be a fasting value.
Blood count (CBC). Looks at red cells, white cells and platelets. One slightly flagged value usually needs context, not alarm.
Chemistry panel (CMP). A standard chemistry panel includes readings for liver, kidneys, salts and protein. Some values, like eGFR, are calculated.
Kidney check. For people at risk, the usual check pairs eGFR with a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio. A routine urine test is not the same thing.
Thyroid. TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) is usually the first test. Free T4 may be added depending on the result.
Testosterone. A low result is repeated early in the morning, fasting, before any diagnosis. Free testosterone and SHBG are follow-up tests.
Cortisol and DHEA-S. A random cortisol is not a stress test. DHEA-S is for specific adrenal or hormone questions.
Iron. Usually measured with an iron panel, often with ferritin and a blood count. It helps when iron deficiency is suspected.
Lead and mercury. Only useful with a believable exposure history. They are not general “toxin” checks.
ANA and RF. Testing without matching symptoms can cause false alarms. Age alone is not a reason to order them.
PSA. Starts with a conversation about total PSA. Free PSA is a follow-up test.
Biological age. A calculated number, not a diagnosis or a treatment target.

Heart and metabolism

Scheduled at every age (lipid panel)

Total cholesterolAll the cholesterol in your blood.
HDL cholesterolCholesterol carried by HDL particles.
LDL cholesterolCholesterol carried by LDL particles, usually calculated.
TriglyceridesA type of fat in your blood.
Non-HDL cholesterolTotal cholesterol minus HDL, calculated.
Total cholesterol / HDL ratioOne reading divided by another, calculated.

At least once, at every age

Lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a)An inherited particle linked to heart risk.

For a specific reason, at every age (only if indicated)

ApoB (apolipoprotein B)Counts the particles that can carry cholesterol into artery walls.
hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein)A low-level inflammation reading sometimes used in heart-risk decisions.
Uric acidA waste product linked to gout and kidney stones.

Not a default test, at every age

LDL particle numberHow many LDL particles you have.
LDL patternThe general size pattern of your LDL particles.
LDL peak sizeThe most common LDL particle size.
LDL smallThe share of small LDL particles.
LDL mediumThe share of medium LDL particles.
HDL largeThe share of large HDL particles.
LeptinA hormone involved in appetite and energy.

Diabetes risk

For a specific reason at 18–34. Scheduled at 35–49 and 50+.

GlucoseYour blood sugar at the time of the draw.
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c)Your average blood sugar over the past few months.

Not a default test, at every age

InsulinThe hormone that moves sugar into your cells.

Liver, kidney and blood counts

For a specific reason, at every age (only if indicated)

Blood count (CBC, complete blood count): one test, many readings

White blood cell countYour total white blood cells.
NeutrophilsOne type of white blood cell.
LymphocytesOne type of white blood cell.
MonocytesOne type of white blood cell.
EosinophilsOne type of white blood cell.
BasophilsOne type of white blood cell.
Red blood cell countHow many red blood cells you have.
HemoglobinThe protein in red cells that carries oxygen.
HematocritHow much of your blood is made of red cells.
MCV (mean corpuscular volume)The average size of your red cells.
MCH (mean corpuscular hemoglobin)The average hemoglobin in each red cell.
MCHC (mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration)How concentrated hemoglobin is inside red cells.
RDW (red cell distribution width)How much your red cells vary in size.
Platelet countHow many platelets, the cells that help blood clot.
MPV (mean platelet volume)The average size of your platelets.

Part of a standard chemistry panel

SodiumA salt that helps balance fluids.
PotassiumA salt important for nerves, muscles and heart rhythm.
ChlorideA salt that works with sodium.
Carbon dioxideA reading of your body's acid-base balance.
CalciumCalcium in your blood. Not a bone-density test.
Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)A waste product filtered by your kidneys.
CreatinineA waste product used to estimate kidney filtering.
eGFR (estimated glomerular filtration rate)An estimate of how well your kidneys filter, calculated from creatinine.
BUN / creatinine ratioOne reading divided by another, calculated.
ALT (alanine transaminase)A liver enzyme.
AST (aspartate aminotransferase)An enzyme found in the liver and other tissues.
ALP (alkaline phosphatase)An enzyme linked to the liver, bile ducts and bone.
Total bilirubinA yellow substance the liver processes.
Total proteinAll the protein in your blood.
AlbuminThe main protein in your blood.
GlobulinA group of blood proteins, calculated.
Albumin / globulin ratioOne reading divided by another, calculated.

Ordered separately

GGT (gamma-glutamyl transferase)An enzyme used for specific liver or bile-duct questions.

Thyroid and hormones

For a specific reason, at every age (only if indicated)

TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone)The signal that tells your thyroid how hard to work.
Free T4 (thyroxine)The main thyroid hormone in its active form.
TPO antibodies (thyroid peroxidase)Show whether a thyroid problem may be autoimmune.
Thyroglobulin antibodies (TgAb)Another antibody linked to autoimmune thyroid problems.
CortisolA hormone made by the adrenal glands.
DHEA-sulfateAn adrenal hormone used for specific hormone questions.
Testosterone, totalAll the testosterone in your blood.
Testosterone, freeTestosterone not bound to proteins, often calculated.
SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin)A protein that carries sex hormones.
EstradiolThe main form of estrogen.
FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone)A brain signal that controls reproductive hormones.
LH (luteinizing hormone)Another brain signal that controls reproductive hormones.
ProlactinA hormone linked to milk production and some pituitary conditions.
Anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH)Used in some ovarian-reserve questions. Not a default test at 50+.

Not a default test, at every age

Free T3 (triiodothyronine)Another thyroid hormone, not a routine check.

Nutrients and heavy metals

For a specific reason, at every age (only if indicated)

FerritinA protein that reflects your iron stores.
IronIron in your blood, usually measured with an iron panel.
Iron binding capacityHow much iron your blood can carry, usually measured with an iron panel.
Iron % saturationHow full your iron carriers are, usually measured with an iron panel.
MMA (methylmalonic acid)Helps clarify a borderline B12 result.
HomocysteineAn amino acid used in some nutrition questions.
Vitamin DYour vitamin D level.
MagnesiumA mineral used by muscles and nerves.
ZincA mineral used in many body processes.
LeadLead in your blood, checked after a real exposure.
MercuryMercury in your blood, checked after a real exposure.

Not a default test, at every age

Omega-3 totalAll the omega-3 fats measured.
Omega-3: EPAOne omega-3 fat.
Omega-3: DHAOne omega-3 fat.
Omega-3: DPAOne omega-3 fat.
Omega-6 totalAll the omega-6 fats measured.
Omega-6: linoleic acidOne omega-6 fat.
Omega-6: arachidonic acidOne omega-6 fat.
Omega-6 / omega-3 ratioOne reading divided by another.
Arachidonic acid / EPA ratioOne reading divided by another.

Prostate and other condition-specific tests

PSA total: not a default test at 18–34. Discuss first at 35–49 and 50+.

PSA (prostate-specific antigen), totalA protein made by the prostate.

For a specific reason, at every age (only if indicated)

PSA, freePSA not attached to other proteins, used as a follow-up.
PSA, % freeFree PSA as a share of total PSA, used as a follow-up.
ANA (antinuclear antibodies) screenChecks for antibodies seen in some autoimmune conditions.
ANA patternThe pattern those antibodies show under a microscope.
ANA titerHow strong the antibody result is.
Rheumatoid factor (RF)An antibody used in some joint-inflammation questions.
LipaseA digestive enzyme checked when pancreas inflammation is suspected.
ABO blood group and Rh factorYour blood type. It doesn't change.

Not a default test, at every age

AmylaseA digestive enzyme. Lipase is usually preferred.

Urine results

For a specific reason, at every age (only if indicated)

Readings from one urine test, plus one separate urine albumin test

Albumin (microalbumin), urineProtein loss in urine. Best read as a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio, which is different from a routine urine test.
ColorWhat your urine looks like.
AppearanceHow clear or cloudy your urine is.
Specific gravityHow concentrated your urine is.
pHHow acidic your urine is.
ProteinA quick protein reading, not the same as a urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio.
GlucoseSugar in urine. Not a replacement for a blood sugar test.
KetonesSubstances made when the body burns fat for fuel.
BilirubinA substance the liver processes.
Occult bloodHidden blood in urine.
NitriteCan point to some bacterial infections.
Leukocyte esteraseA sign of white blood cells in urine.
Red blood cellsRed cells seen under a microscope.
White blood cellsWhite cells seen under a microscope.
BacteriaBacteria seen under a microscope, read with your symptoms.
YeastYeast seen under a microscope.
Squamous epithelial cellsSkin cells that show how clean the sample was.
Hyaline castsTiny protein shapes seen under a microscope.
Calcium oxalate crystalsCrystals seen under a microscope.
Amorphous sedimentSmall particles seen under a microscope.

Calculated score

Not a default test, at every age

Biological ageA number calculated from other lab results. It is not a diagnosis or a treatment target.

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Proposed Base1 protocol, approved by our medical director before use. General information, not personal medical advice. Your physician selects your tests and may add or remove any of them, including tests you’re already up to date on. Pregnancy, urgent symptoms, known disease and treatment monitoring follow their own pathways.

Medical care is provided by Medical Associates Of Fort Worth, doing business as Benbrook Aesthetics, an independent, physician-owned medical practice. Base1 Health is a marketing and information site: it does not provide medical care and does not collect or store health information. Currently caring for patients in Texas; other states coming soon. Laboratory testing is performed by Quest Diagnostics. Not a substitute for medical care. Not for emergencies: call 911. Base1 Health is operated by Nu Link at 10111 Clodine Rd, Richmond, TX 77407.

The full test list, with the reason for each one.

This list is here so you can see everything, not because we recommend all of it. Your doctor will pick the tests that make sense for you.