Blood tests for your situation
The same test can mean something different on testosterone, after weight-loss surgery or on a vegan diet. Each page lists the tests that matter most for one situation, why, and how to get results you can compare over time.
For one test, browse every marker. For a group of tests a lab orders together, see lab panels.
Hormones
- Thyroid condition10 testsFor people with Hashimoto's, an underactive or overactive thyroid, Graves' disease, or anyone taking thyroid medicine.
- PCOS12 testsFor people with PCOS (also called PMOS), and anyone being checked for it because of irregular periods, extra hair growth or acne.
- Perimenopause or menopause9 testsFor anyone in perimenopause or past menopause, including people taking menopause hormone therapy (HRT).
- On gender-affirming hormones10 testsFor trans and nonbinary people taking estrogen-based or testosterone-based hormone therapy, whether just starting or years in.
- On testosterone therapy10 testsFor men and anyone else taking testosterone prescribed for low testosterone, as injections, gel, patches or pellets.
Life stages
- Age 65 or older11 testsFor people aged 65 or older and the family members who help keep track of their results, such as adult children and partners.
- Trying to conceive9 testsFor anyone trying to get pregnant or planning fertility treatment such as IVF, and for partners who produce sperm.
- Pregnant or postpartum9 testsFor anyone who is pregnant or has given birth in the past year, and the people helping them keep track of results.
Heart and metabolism
- High cholesterol or heart risk11 testsFor people with high cholesterol, a family history of early heart disease, or anyone taking a statin or other cholesterol medicine.
- Tracking for long-term health11 testsFor people who track their blood tests over the years to look after long-term health, whether or not they have a condition.
- Prediabetes or diabetes10 testsFor people with prediabetes, type 1 diabetes or type 2 diabetes, and the people who help them keep track of results.
- Keto or low-carb eating8 testsFor people following a ketogenic or other low-carbohydrate way of eating, whether for weight, diabetes or another reason.
- On a GLP-1 medicine9 testsFor people taking semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy), tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) or a similar medicine, for diabetes or for weight.
Kidneys, liver and gut
- Celiac disease or IBD12 testsFor people with celiac disease or inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis), and people being checked for them.
- Gout6 testsFor people who have had gout flares, including those taking or considering medicine to lower uric acid.
- Hemochromatosis or iron overload10 testsFor people with hereditary hemochromatosis or other iron overload, including people having regular blood removal (phlebotomy) to lower iron, and their close relatives.
- Kidney disease or at risk10 testsFor people with chronic kidney disease (CKD) and people at higher risk of it, such as those with diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease or a family history of kidney failure.
- Fatty liver or liver condition12 testsFor people with fatty liver disease (MASLD, formerly called NAFLD), alcohol-related liver disease or viral hepatitis, and people at higher risk of these.
Food, iron and absorption
- Had weight-loss surgery12 testsFor people who have had a gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy, duodenal switch, gastric band or another weight-loss (bariatric) operation.
- Low iron or anemia11 testsFor people with low iron or anemia, including people with heavy periods and people who give blood often.
- Vegan or vegetarian10 testsFor people who eat a vegan, vegetarian or mostly plant-based diet and want to keep an eye on the nutrients these diets can run low in.
Training and sport
Medicines that need blood tests
- Taking HIV PrEP11 testsFor anyone taking PrEP to prevent HIV, whether daily pills such as Truvada or Descovy, or shots such as cabotegravir or lenacapavir.
- Taking isotretinoin8 testsFor people taking isotretinoin for acne, sold as Accutane, Absorica, Claravis and other brands.
- Taking lithium7 testsFor people taking lithium for bipolar disorder, depression or another condition, and the people who help them.
- Taking methotrexate11 testsFor people taking low-dose methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, psoriatic arthritis or a similar condition.