Biomarkers to test by age: your 30s, 40s, 50s and 60s
The blood tests you should get depend on your age, your sex and your risk factors. In your 30s, build a baseline: a lipid panel, a complete blood count (CBC) and a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP), plus A1c if you have risk factors and ferritin if you menstruate. In your 40s, add ApoB and Lp(a) once and diabetes screening from age 35 if you have overweight or obesity; in your 50s and 60s, add PSA as a shared decision for men 55 to 69, menopause-related labs, kidney markers and vitamin B12.
That matches how MedlinePlus frames screening: what you need depends on your age, sex and health history, not on a one-size list. Here is the checklist at a glance.
| Decade | Core blood tests | Add for women | Add for men |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30s | Lipid panel, CBC, CMP; A1c if risk factors; TSH if symptoms | Iron and ferritin | Testosterone only if symptoms |
| 40s | Everything above, plus ApoB and Lp(a) once; diabetes screening from 35 with overweight or obesity | Lipids and glucose rechecked as perimenopause starts | Morning testosterone if symptoms |
| 50s | Keep lipids, A1c, CBC, CMP on schedule; cancer screening (not blood based) | Menopause-related labs and a fresh lipid check | PSA as a shared decision, 55 to 69 |
| 60s and beyond | Kidney function (eGFR plus urine albumin), B12; vitamin D if risk factors | Same, with attention to bone health risk | Same; PSA not recommended from 70 |
Blood pressure is not a blood test, but it belongs on every decade's list. Check it at every visit.
Your 30s: build your baseline
The 30s are when most people feel fine, which is exactly why this decade matters. A good baseline gives every future result something to be compared against.
- Lipid panel. Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL and triglycerides. One normal panel tells you where you start; a borderline one tells you where to focus.
- CBC. Screens for anemia, infection signals and blood cell problems.
- CMP. Covers blood sugar, electrolytes, kidney function (creatinine) and liver enzymes in a single draw.
- A1c or fasting glucose if you have risk factors. Excess weight, a family history of diabetes, a history of gestational diabetes or polycystic ovary syndrome are reasons to check earlier rather than later.
- TSH if you have symptoms. Unexplained fatigue, weight change, feeling cold, hair thinning or irregular periods are reasons to test thyroid function.
- Women: iron and ferritin. Menstruation, pregnancy and plant-based diets all raise the risk of low iron stores. Ferritin can be low well before a CBC shows anemia, and low stores can explain fatigue that otherwise gets dismissed.
Your 40s: catch metabolic and cardiovascular risk early
This is the decade when metabolic and cardiovascular changes often start quietly. Your 40s checklist keeps the 30s baseline and adds three things.
Diabetes screening. The USPSTF prediabetes and type 2 diabetes screening recommendation (2021) advises screening adults aged 35 to 70 who have overweight or obesity. A fasting glucose, an A1c or an oral glucose tolerance test can be used. If you are in that group and have never been screened, do it now.
ApoB and Lp(a), once. A standard lipid panel measures how much cholesterol your particles carry. ApoB counts the particles themselves, which is a more direct read on the particles that can build plaque. Lp(a) is largely set by your genes and changes little over your life, so many lipid specialists suggest measuring it at least once. A high result does not mean you will have a heart attack, but it is a reason to manage every other risk factor more seriously.
Testosterone in men, if you have symptoms. Low libido, erectile changes, persistent fatigue, low mood or loss of muscle are reasons to check. Testosterone varies through the day, so it is usually measured in the morning and confirmed with a repeat test before any decision about treatment. If you want to understand your options, our testosterone therapy page explains how BioCure evaluates symptoms and labs together.
Your 50s: cancer screening, PSA and menopause
Some of the most important screenings in your 50s are not blood tests at all.
Cancer screening. Colorectal cancer screening is done with stool tests or colonoscopy, not a blood biomarker, and current guidelines start it for average-risk adults before 50. Breast and cervical screening for women and lung screening for people with a significant smoking history are also scheduled separately. No blood panel replaces them, so confirm your dates with your primary care clinician.
PSA for men. The USPSTF prostate cancer screening recommendation (2018) says men aged 55 to 69 should make an individual decision about PSA testing with their clinician. The potential benefit is a small reduction in prostate cancer deaths; the risks include false positives, biopsies, overdiagnosis and treatment side effects such as incontinence and erectile dysfunction. A family history of prostate cancer or being Black can shift that conversation, which is why it is a decision, not a default.
Menopause-related labs for women. Menopause is usually identified from symptoms and cycle history, so hormone levels are not always needed to confirm it. What matters more is what menopause does to the rest of your labs: LDL cholesterol often rises, blood sugar control can shift, and thyroid problems can mimic menopause symptoms. Recheck lipids, A1c and TSH, and if you are considering hormone therapy, baseline labs help your clinician tailor it. For a deeper look at this stage, read our guide to longevity strategies for women in their 40s and beyond.
Your 60s and beyond: kidneys, B12 and vitamin D
After 60, the checklist shifts toward organs and nutrients that quietly decline.
- Kidney function: eGFR and urine albumin. eGFR is calculated from the creatinine on your metabolic panel. A urine albumin to creatinine ratio catches early kidney damage that eGFR can miss, and it matters most if you have diabetes or high blood pressure.
- Vitamin B12. Absorption tends to fall with age, and long-term use of metformin or acid-reducing medications can lower levels further. Low B12 can cause fatigue, numbness and memory changes that are easy to blame on aging.
- Vitamin D if you have risk factors. Testing makes the most sense if you get little sun, have osteoporosis or a history of fractures, have a condition that affects absorption, or take medications that affect vitamin D. Testing everyone without a reason is less useful.
- Keep the core panel going. Lipids, A1c, CBC and CMP remain the foundation. For men, the USPSTF recommends against PSA screening from age 70.
How often to retest
There is no single schedule that fits everyone. How often you recheck depends on your last result, your risk factors and whether you are on treatment. Use this as a starting framework, then let your clinician adjust it.
| Test | How to think about retesting |
|---|---|
| CBC and CMP | With routine checkups; sooner if a result was abnormal or you take medications that affect the liver or kidneys |
| Lipid panel | Every few years if normal and low risk; more often with risk factors or once on treatment |
| A1c or fasting glucose | The USPSTF notes evidence on the best interval is limited, and every 3 years may be reasonable after a normal result; more often with prediabetes |
| Lp(a) | Usually once, because it changes little over life |
| ApoB | When making or tracking a cardiovascular treatment decision |
| TSH | When symptoms appear, or regularly if you are on thyroid treatment |
| Testosterone | When symptoms appear; on a monitoring schedule if you are on therapy |
| PSA | Interval set as part of the shared decision with your clinician |
| eGFR and urine albumin | Regularly with diabetes or high blood pressure, and as part of routine care after 60 |
| Ferritin, B12, vitamin D | When risk factors or symptoms are present, and to confirm a supplement is working |
A decade ago, most people only did blood work when something felt wrong. In 2026, the mindset is different: trends over time tell you more than any single snapshot.
Red flag symptoms that justify testing at any age
The decade checklist is for people who feel well. Some symptoms are reasons to test now, regardless of age:
- Unexplained weight loss or gain
- Excessive thirst, frequent urination or blurred vision
- Fatigue that does not improve with rest
- Shortness of breath, palpitations or pale skin
- Heavy or irregular periods, or new bleeding after menopause
- Swelling in the legs, foamy urine or a change in urination
- Numbness, tingling, or new memory or balance problems
- Night sweats, persistent fever or easy bruising
Any of these deserves evaluation by a clinician, who can decide which tests fit the picture. Chest pain, severe shortness of breath or sudden weakness are emergencies, not lab questions.
How BioCure approaches testing
BioCure Health is a physician-led telehealth longevity clinic based in the Fort Lauderdale area and licensed to treat patients in 47 states. Our diagnostics start with sex-specific Comprehensive Male and Female Panels that cover hormones, thyroid, lipids, metabolic and organ markers, described on our site as a 90+ biomarker panel. That covers most of the blood tests in the checklist above in a single draw.
For people who want to go further, we offer a TrueAge Epigenetic Exam ($625), which estimates biological age from DNA methylation patterns, and a Micronutrient Test ($585). Be clear about what these are: epigenetic age is an emerging measure that is useful for tracking trends, not a diagnosis, and micronutrient results are most useful when interpreted alongside your symptoms and diet.
How it works: a 5 minute online intake, a $199 video consultation with a physician (credited back with a membership), then an at-home kit with an in-home phlebotomist or testing at a lab. Results arrive in 7 to 14 days, and every result is reviewed with you one on one by a specialist. We do not bill insurance directly, but many patients use HSA or FSA funds, and we provide documentation for reimbursement.
A fair note on fit: guideline screenings such as colonoscopy, mammograms and routine preventive labs are often covered through your primary care plan. BioCure works best for people who want a broader picture, sex-specific hormone testing, and a physician who turns results into a plan.
Frequently asked questions
What blood tests should I get every year?
There is no universal annual list. Most adults benefit from a CBC, CMP and lipid panel as a baseline, with A1c added for anyone with diabetes risk factors. How often you repeat them depends on your previous results, your age and whether you are on treatment.
Should I test ApoB and Lp(a)?
ApoB gives a more direct count of the particles that can build plaque than a standard lipid panel. Lp(a) is largely genetic and changes little over time, so many lipid specialists suggest measuring it at least once. Both are most useful when you are deciding how aggressively to manage cardiovascular risk.
At what age should men get a PSA test?
The USPSTF (2018) says men aged 55 to 69 should make an individual decision about PSA screening with their clinician, weighing a small potential benefit against risks such as false positives and overdiagnosis. It recommends against PSA screening for men 70 and older. Family history and race can change that conversation.
When should I get screened for diabetes?
The USPSTF (2021) recommends screening adults aged 35 to 70 who have overweight or obesity, using fasting glucose, A1c or an oral glucose tolerance test. You may need earlier testing with other risk factors, such as a family history or a history of gestational diabetes. Symptoms like excessive thirst or frequent urination justify testing at any age.
Is a 90+ biomarker panel better than a basic checkup panel?
More markers are not automatically better; what matters is whether each one is interpreted and acted on. A broader panel can capture hormones, thyroid and organ markers that a basic panel skips, which is useful when you want a full baseline. It does not replace cancer screenings like colonoscopy or mammograms.
Can I get comprehensive blood work without insurance?
Yes. At BioCure Health, a physician orders your labs after a video consultation, and you can test at home with a phlebotomist or at a lab. We do not bill insurance directly, but many patients pay with HSA or FSA funds using the documentation we provide.
Longevity is not accidental, it is intentional. Knowing which biomarkers matter at your age, and tracking them over time, is how you move from living by default to living by design.
Let BioCure Health lead you in the right direction. Call or text us to schedule an introductory call at 754-206-0838, your future self will thank you.