Annual physical exams are an essential part of maintaining good health, but certain health tests may offer deeper insights into specific areas of your health. From assessing cardiovascular risk factors to evaluating how your diet affects your health, consider these six blood tests to help you get a more comprehensive picture of your well-being.

Lipoprotein(a) testing: An overlooked form of cholesterol

You may be familiar with the lipid panel typically measured at an annual physical. The results include high-density lipoprotein (HDL), which is often called "good" cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL), which is often called "bad" cholesterol. But did you know there is another form of lipoprotein linked to increased risk for heart disease and stroke that isn't measured by a standard lipid test? It’s called lipoprotein(a), or Lp(a), and like LDL cholesterol, it can cause blood clots and arterial blockages.

Lp(a) testing is appropriate for those who have certain health conditions or risk factors that suggest a high genetic risk for atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).

Some of these risk factors include:

• A personal or family history of early heart disease or stroke (before age 55 in men and 65 in women)
• High LDL cholesterol that has proven difficult to control
• Heart or blood vessel disease without a history of high cholesterol
• Family history of high cholesterol

You may not experience symptoms with high Lp(a) levels. Testing your Lp(a) with your healthcare provider’s guidance can empower those with high Lp(a) results to make proactive changes to lower their cardiovascular risk and improve their overall health.

Liver health testing: Detecting silent symptoms

About 25% of U.S. adults have nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), now called metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). MASLD happens when excess fat accumulates in the liver, often associated with risk factors like obesity, high blood sugar or high triglycerides.

While fatty liver disease can be managed and potentially reversed through lifestyle changes (e.g., weight loss, lowering cholesterol and triglycerides, managing high blood sugar), the symptoms are often silent, meaning testing is key. Labcorp OnDemand’s Liver Health Test measures proteins, cell counts and liver enzymes in your blood, generating a risk calculation called the FIB-4 score that can help screen for liver fibrosis (scar tissue in the liver) in at-risk individuals. The FIB-4 score does not diagnose liver disease, but knowing your FIB-4 score could get you on the right track if your results indicate further testing and evaluation are warranted.

Thyroid testing: Uncovering insights into overall health

The thyroid may be a small gland, but it plays an important role in your health. It produces hormones that help regulate metabolism, growth and development, influencing everything from mood and fertility to how efficiently your body burns calories.

More than 12% of people in the U.S. will develop a thyroid condition at some point in their lives. Since symptoms of a thyroid condition can be vague and similar to those associated with other health conditions (e.g., fatigue, unexpected weight changes, forgetfulness, depression), thyroid issues aren’t always recognized right away.

If you have questions about your thyroid health or are experiencing early warning signs of thyroid issues, Labcorp OnDemand’s Standard Thyroid Test may be able to provide helpful information. The test measures both thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and Free T4 (thyroxine) to screen for hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid) and hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid). Discuss thyroid testing with your provider to see if this type of screening is right for you.

Micronutrient testing: Optimizing your nutrition

While macronutrients include fats, carbohydrates and proteins that provide energy in the form of calories, micronutrients include vital minerals and vitamins that help optimize your body’s performance.

If you follow a vegan or vegetarian diet, you may be curious if your meals are balanced enough to provide the micronutrients your body needs. You can also be deficient in certain micronutrients even with a more well-rounded diet. While signs of a micronutrient deficiency can include symptoms like fatigue, hair loss, or muscle cramps, it’s also possible to have deficiencies without any symptoms.

Whether you’re wondering if your diet is well-balanced or you suspect you may have a nutritional deficiency, testing your micronutrient levels can help inform your dietary choices. Labcorp OnDemand’s Micronutrient Test measures the levels of six essential micronutrients in your blood, including three vitamins (vitamin D, vitamin B12 and folate) and three minerals (magnesium, iodine and zinc).

Diabetes risk assessment: Beyond fasting blood sugar

Over 100 million American adults have Type 2 diabetes or prediabetes, but more than 8 million are unaware they even have the condition. Labcorp OnDemand's Diabetes Risk (HbA1c) Test gives a measure of your average blood sugar over the prior 8-12 weeks, making it a valuable screening tool for prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes. In contrast, the commonly ordered test for fasting blood glucose only provides a snapshot of blood sugar levels at the time the sample is collected.

The American Diabetes Association recommends screening for prediabetes and Type 2 diabetes for anyone 35 years of age or older. Screening is also recommended for people who are overweight or obese with certain risk factors, such as:

• Personal history of high blood pressure and/or heart disease 
• First-degree family history of diabetes 
• African American, Native American, Asian American, Latino or Pacific Islander ethnicity 
• Especially low HDL cholesterol (<35) and/or high triglycerides (>250) 
• Personal history of diabetes during pregnancy
• Polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS)

Whenever you decide to screen, remember to work closely with your healthcare provider to find the right test for you.

Inflammation testing: Discover potential underlying health issues

Your body’s immune system naturally responds to injury, infection or illness with inflammation to promote healing. However, longstanding chronic inflammation can be a sign of underlying health issues like rheumatoid arthritis or chronic infections like gum disease.

Labcorp OnDemand’s high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) blood test measures the level of C-reactive protein, a substance produced by the liver in response to inflammation. Elevated CRP levels are nonspecific and seen in a variety of conditions associated with inflammation. Even so, hs-CRP is commonly used as a marker for cardiovascular disease risk, and elevated levels are also linked to several other inflammatory-related health conditions including diabetes, arthritis and cancer.

If you’re concerned about the possibility of chronic inflammation, ask your healthcare provider if hs-CRP testing is appropriate for you.

Explore additional health testing for personalized insights

Consider these tests in addition to any routine labs ordered as part of your annual physical and gain a deeper understanding of your health. It’s important to remember that having regular screenings improves the likelihood of early detection, timely intervention and better health outcomes.

For additional screening options, Labcorp OnDemand’s Men’s Health Test and Women’s Health Test include many standard tests that healthcare providers typically order as part of annual physical exams. Always collaborate closely with your healthcare team when considering additional health testing.