Why Annual Bloodwork Matters (Even When You Feel Fine)

Dr. Laura
Jan 8
2 min read

Hands in white sleeves point at a colorful chart on a document with a pen, on a white table, creating an analytical and focused mood. — Healthcare provider reviewing test results with patient

Most people only get bloodwork when something feels off. But by the time symptoms show up, your body has often been compensating for a long time.

Annual bloodwork isn’t about chasing diagnoses or obsessing over numbers. It’s about establishing a baseline, tracking trends over time, and understanding how your body is responding to stress, training, nutrition, and life.

Think of it as a yearly performance check-in.

The Power of a Baseline

When we test consistently, we can:

Catch subtle changes early
Understand your version of normal
Make targeted adjustments to recovery, nutrition, and training
Avoid guesswork and generic recommendations

Your labs tell a story long before pain or dysfunction shows up.

Core Labs I Recommend Annually

Complete Blood Count (CBC) Provides insight into oxygen delivery, immune function, inflammation, and recovery.

Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP) Evaluates liver and kidney function, electrolytes, hydration, and blood sugar regulation.

Lipid Panel Assesses cardiometabolic health and how your body handles fuel and inflammation.

Hemoglobin A1c & Fasting Insulin Shows how well your body manages blood sugar and metabolic stress over time.

Inflammatory Markers (hs-CRP, ESR) Help identify low-grade inflammation that can impact pain, recovery, and performance.

Thyroid Panel (TSH, Free T3, Free T4) Evaluates metabolic regulation, energy, and stress adaptation.

Iron Panel (including Ferritin) Assesses oxygen transport and endurance capacity, especially important for active adults.

Key Nutrients (Vitamin D, B12, Magnesium) Supports immune function, nervous system health, muscle recovery, and sleep.

Hormonal Baselines (age & sex dependent) Provides insight into recovery, resilience, and long-term performance.

This Isn’t About “Perfect” Labs

The goal isn’t perfection—it’s context and trends. Your labs are data points that help guide smarter decisions, earlier interventions, and more personalized care.

When paired with movement, lifestyle, and recovery strategies, annual bloodwork becomes one of the most powerful tools for maintaining long-term health and performance.