Getting tests may not be your favorite thing, but they’re a key factor in staying healthy. They can help you ID issues before they develop into full-fledged concerns. Or they can ease your mind that everything’s fine.

That’s why well woman visits are so clutch to keep up with. Unlike a sick visit—where your clinician hones in on a specific ailment or injury—these appointments focus on preventive care. 

You likely already know about the big screenings that check for cancer at different points of your life. These include Pap smears for cervical cancer, mammograms to spot breast cancer, and colonoscopies for colon cancer. 

But you may be less familiar with some of the bloodwork you might get. The goal is to screen for these diseases early—even before you have symptoms—so that they’re easier to treat. And since these tests are considered preventative care, they are almost always covered by health insurance.

Here's a look at the most common labs your doctor may recommend, depending on your age. 

Blood Tests All Women Should Get

Serum Lipid Screening Panel AKA Blood Cholesterol Test 

What It Is: This test measures the amount of cholesterol and certain fats in your blood. Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance. You need some to keep your body healthy, but too much of a certain type raises your risk for heart disease. It’s called LDL cholesterol, also known as the “bad” type.

Who Should Get It: It depends on two things: your age, and your chances of getting cardiovascular disease. If you have risk factors, you should begin screening at age 30. These include obesity, diabetes, high blood pressure, smoking, or a family history of heart disease at a young age.

Without risk factors, most women should start screening at 45. If everything comes back fine, you won’t have to get another test for five years. If it’s borderline or elevated, a screen should be done more frequently—at least every three years. 

There’s no hard and fast rule as to when to stop screening. But if your cholesterol levels are normal, talk to your doctor about whether you need to continue screening beyond age 65. Cholesterol levels are less likely to rise after this point. 

Blood Glucose Test

What It Is: This test measures the glucose, or sugar levels, in your blood. If the results show it’s high, you may have prediabetes or type 2 diabetes. If you have a history of gestational diabetes you are at a higher risk of type 2 diabetes.

There are three main ways your doctor can check your glucose:

• an A1C test, which measures your average blood sugar level over the past two or three months
• a fasting blood sugar test, which checks your blood sugar after a night of not eating 
• a random blood sugar test, which doesn’t involve fasting

The American Diabetes Association (ADA) doesn’t single out one test over the other. But many doctors prefer A1C. It gives a snapshot of a person’s blood sugar levels across a period of time. 

Who Should Get It: The ADA recommends that all women regardless of  risk factors be screened for type 2 diabetes beginning at age 35. If the results are normal, you should have a follow-up test within three years. If the screen shows that you have prediabetes (an A1C between 5.7 and 6.4), you should get retested annually. 

You’ll need to start diabetes testing earlier if you are overweight or obese, or if you’re African American, Latino, Native American, Asian American, or Pacific Islander. These ethnic groups have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes. (Discuss with your doctor exactly when to start.) 

Early testing is also recommended if you have any of the following risk factors:

• a parent, sibling, or child with type two diabetes
• high blood pressure
• abnormal cholesterol level
• a history of heart disease
• polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

Planning to get pregnant? Diabetes screening will be on your list. (If your pregnancy was unplanned, get it done at your first prenatal visit). Early pregnancy, and at 20-24 weeks

Pregnant women will also be screened for gestational diabetes between 24 and 28 weeks. 

Blood Tests You Should Maybe Get

That “maybe” depends on your overall health, age, and risk factors. These are the three blood tests your clinician may recommend for you. 

Hemoglobin

What It Is: Anemia is a condition where your blood has lower than normal red blood cells. This test checks your red blood cell levels and other markers for anemia. One example is hemoglobin, an iron-rich protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen to cells. Levels that are lower than normal could be a sign of anemia. 

This test is often done as part of a complete blood count (CBC), which measures many different parts of your blood. Along with red blood cells, these include white blood cells, which help to fight infections, and platelets, which allow your blood to clot. In addition, this will frequently be done in conjunction with ferritin (this tests for a blood protein that contains iron) and vitamin B6 levels (deficiency in B6 if generally seen with Anemia).

Who Should Get Screened: Women who experience heavy periods and fatigue will often find that their doctor may want to do a CBC at every annual well woman exam. If you’re expecting, your doctor will order one at your first prenatal visit, and again several times throughout your pregnancy.

Thyroid Hormone Test

What It Is: Your thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland located at the front of your neck. It produces and releases thyroid hormones, which help to control the speed of your metabolism. If your thyroid isn’t working properly, it can affect your entire body. 

This screener checks for thyroid disease. The test measures TSH, or thyroid stimulating hormone. If yours is high, you may have hypothyroidism, which means your thyroid isn’t making enough hormones. If yours is low, you may have hyperthyroidism, or an overactive thyroid. 

Who Should Get Screened: Anyone who has symptoms of either hypothyroidism or hyperthyroidism. For hypothyroidism, that includes fatigue, unexplained weight gain, and frequently feeling cold. Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include anxiety, trouble concentrating, hair loss, diarrhea, and frequently feeling hot. 

Screenings also are key for people who have a family history of thyroid disease. Same for those who have an autoimmune disease, such as type 1 diabetes or lupus. Talk to your doctor to see if and when you need to start testing.

Metabolic Panel

What It Is: A Comprehensive Metabolic Panel or CMP is a blood test that gives doctors information about the body’s fluid balance, levels of electrolytes like potassium and sodium, and how well the kidney and liver are working. 

Who Should Get Screened: You may get this test as part of an annual wellness exam, this is also a good way for your doctor to assess how any of your prescription medications are working; or if you take certain prescription medications that could cause problems with your kidney or liver functions. 

Blood tests may be unpleasant or even scary for some people. But discomfort now can keep you healthier in the long run. Your doctor can go over these laboratory tests with you to determine which you need, when. They’ll also be there for you when the results come back—and, if needed, help you determine the path forward. 

Do You Need Early Diabetes Screening?

Most people begin testing for type 2 diabetes at age 35. But certain risk factors mean you should start the process sooner. 

1. You’re overweight or obese
2. You’re African American, Latino, Native American, Asian American, or Pacific Islander
3. You have a parent, sibling, or child with type 2 diabetes
4. You have high blood pressure
5. You have an abnormal cholesterol level
6. You have a history of heart disease
7. You have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)