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Blood tests can pick up some health problems, such as high cholesterol, diabetes, anaemia or kidney problems, before they cause symptoms. But there’s no single “routine blood test” that everyone needs every year. Which tests are useful, and how often, depends on your age, your health, your family history and any symptoms you have. A GP can help you work out what makes sense for you.
This article explains the blood tests GPs commonly order, when they may be recommended, how to prepare, what to expect from your results, and how telehealth can help you get a referral.
Why have a blood test?
Doctors order blood tests for three main reasons:
- Screening: checking for a condition before it causes symptoms, in people whose age or risk factors mean testing is recommended.
- Investigating symptoms: for example, finding out why you’re tired, short of breath or losing weight.
- Monitoring: keeping track of a known condition, or checking that a medicine isn’t affecting your kidneys or liver.
Testing healthy people without a clear reason isn’t always helpful. Results can be borderline or slightly outside the normal range without meaning anything is wrong, which can lead to worry and further tests. That’s why Australian GPs follow evidence-based guidance, such as the RACGP’s Guidelines for preventive activities in general practice (the “Red Book”), when deciding which tests to recommend.
Common blood tests and what they check
| Test | What it checks | Often used for |
|---|---|---|
| Full blood count (FBC) | Red cells, white cells and platelets | Anaemia, infection, tiredness, some blood disorders |
| Kidney function and electrolytes (often called EUC) | How well your kidneys filter, plus sodium and potassium | Monitoring high blood pressure, diabetes and some medicines |
| Liver function tests (LFTs) | Liver enzymes and proteins | Liver health, alcohol use, some medicines |
| Cholesterol and lipids | Cholesterol and triglycerides | Assessing heart disease and stroke risk |
| Blood glucose or HbA1c | Blood sugar now, or average over about 3 months | Checking for and monitoring diabetes |
| Iron studies | Iron levels and stores | Tiredness, heavy periods, anaemia, diet changes |
| Thyroid function | Thyroid hormone levels | Tiredness, weight changes, monitoring thyroid treatment |
| Vitamin B12 and folate | Vitamin levels | Anaemia, some diets, some symptoms |
Healthdirect’s guide to blood testing has more detail on individual tests.
When might tests be recommended?
Your GP will consider your personal situation, but common examples include:
- Cholesterol: according to healthdirect, usually recommended for healthy people every 5 years from age 45, or from age 35 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and more often if you have conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease or kidney disease. It’s often part of an overall heart health assessment.
- Diabetes: your GP may assess your risk of type 2 diabetes with a short questionnaire, and recommend a blood test if your risk is higher or you have symptoms such as excessive thirst or passing a lot of urine.
- Kidney function: often checked if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, or a family history of kidney disease.
- Iron and blood count: if you’re tired, have heavy periods, are pregnant or planning pregnancy, or follow a restricted diet.
- Monitoring: if you take a regular medicine that needs blood tests, or you have a long-term condition.
Some important checks aren’t blood tests at all, such as blood pressure checks, cervical screening, bowel cancer screening and skin checks. Your GP can talk you through the screening recommended for your age. For more on blood pressure, see High blood pressure: what the numbers mean and how it’s managed.
Preparing for a blood test
- Check whether you need to fast. Most tests don’t need fasting, but some do. If you do need to fast, you’ll usually be asked not to eat for several hours beforehand, but you can drink water. Your doctor or the collection centre will tell you.
- Drink water beforehand. Being well hydrated makes it easier to take blood.
- Take your usual medicines unless you’re told otherwise, and tell the collector about any blood thinners.
- Bring your referral (paper or electronic) and your Medicare card.
Having blood taken usually only takes a few minutes. If you feel faint around needles, let the collector know so you can lie down.
Getting your results
Results for most common tests are usually available within 1 to 2 days. They’re sent to the doctor who requested them. A result just outside the “normal range” isn’t always a problem, because ranges are based on averages and results need to be read alongside your age, health and medicines. Always go through your results with a doctor rather than interpreting them on your own.
What does it cost?
Pathology providers bill separately from your doctor. According to healthdirect, Medicare covers all or part of the cost of most common blood tests, and many are bulk billed by the pathology provider. Some tests aren’t covered by Medicare, so if you’re unsure, ask the collection centre before your test.
When to see a doctor sooner
Don’t wait for a routine check if you have symptoms such as unexplained weight loss, ongoing tiredness, fevers or night sweats, unusual bleeding or bruising, or excessive thirst. See a GP to talk about them.
When to get urgent help
Call 000 or go to your nearest emergency department if you have chest pain, severe shortness of breath, sudden weakness or numbness, confusion, heavy bleeding that won’t stop, or you feel very unwell. If a doctor or the laboratory contacts you about an urgent result, follow their advice promptly.
How Teldoc can help
Our AHPRA-registered GPs consult by phone or video, 7 days a week from 9 am to 7 pm (Sydney time), and most patients are seen within 15 minutes. Your doctor can:
- talk through your health, symptoms and risk factors, and work out which tests are appropriate
- provide a pathology referral, so you can have blood taken at a collection centre near you
- go through your results with you in a follow-up consultation, or send them to your regular GP if you’d like
- provide a specialist referral if your results show you need one
A doctor needs to assess you before ordering tests. Consultations are general consultations: $55 on weekdays and $75 on weekends and public holidays, with no Medicare rebate. Pathology costs are separate. See our fees page, or read more about blood test referrals and pathology and radiology referrals.
Frequently asked questions
Should I have a blood test every year?
Not necessarily. There’s no single routine blood test that everyone needs every year. Which tests are useful, and how often, depends on your age, health, family history and symptoms, so talk to a GP.
How often should I have my cholesterol checked?
Healthdirect says cholesterol testing is usually recommended every 5 years from age 45 for healthy people, or from 35 for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and more often if you have certain conditions.
Do I need to fast before a blood test?
Most blood tests don’t need fasting, but some do. Your doctor or the pathology collection centre will tell you if you need to fast and for how long. You can usually still drink water.
How long do blood test results take?
Results for most common blood tests are usually available within 1 to 2 days. They’re sent to the doctor who requested the tests, who will go through them with you.
Can I get a blood test referral through telehealth?
Yes. A telehealth GP can assess you by phone or video and provide a pathology referral if tests are appropriate. You’ll then have your blood taken at a collection centre.
This article is general health information and isn’t a substitute for advice from your own doctor. If you’re worried about your health, speak to a GP. In an emergency, call 000.
Medically reviewed by Dr Vafa Derakshan (MBBS, FRACGP), September 2026
