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Medically reviewed by the Vital Signs Today Medical Review Board. Last updated 18 June 2026. Every range and figure below is drawn from the peer-reviewed and clinical sources listed at the end of this article.
Key takeaways

  • A routine physical usually includes three core blood tests: a complete blood count (CBC), a comprehensive or basic metabolic panel (CMP/BMP), and a lipid panel that measures cholesterol.
  • Many clinicians add a blood glucose or hemoglobin A1C test to screen for diabetes, with an A1C below 5.7 percent considered normal and 5.7 to 6.4 percent indicating prediabetes (NIDDK).
  • Exactly which blood tests appear in your routine physical depends on your age, sex, family history, and risk factors, so the panel ordered for a healthy 25 year old differs from one for a 55 year old.

What blood tests are part of a standard routine physical?

The standard routine physical typically includes three blood tests: a complete blood count (CBC), a metabolic panel (comprehensive or basic), and a lipid panel. A comprehensive metabolic panel alone measures 14 different substances in your blood (MedlinePlus). Together these three panels give your clinician a wide snapshot of your blood cells, organ function, electrolytes, and cholesterol from a single blood draw.

These are screening tests, meaning they look for early signs of common conditions before you have symptoms. A CMP “can provide information about your overall health and help find certain conditions before you have symptoms” (Cleveland Clinic). Your clinician decides which tests to order based on your age and health history, so not every physical includes every panel. Many adults also receive a blood sugar screen, and women, older adults, or people with specific risk factors may get additional tests added on.

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What does a complete blood count (CBC) measure?

A complete blood count measures the number of red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets in your blood (Cleveland Clinic). It is one of the most common blood tests and helps screen for anemia, infection, and clotting problems. For hemoglobin, the iron rich protein that carries oxygen, normal references are roughly 13 to 18 g/dL in adult men and 12 to 16 g/dL in adult women who are not pregnant (MedlinePlus, citing WHO).

A CBC reports several values your clinician reviews together:

  • Red blood cells (RBC): carry oxygen from your lungs to the rest of your body. Low counts can signal anemia.
  • White blood cells (WBC): part of your immune system. High counts may point to infection or inflammation.
  • Hemoglobin and hematocrit: measure how much oxygen your blood can carry.
  • Platelets: help your blood clot and stop bleeding.

Ranges vary slightly between laboratories, so always read your result against the reference range printed on your own report.

What does a metabolic panel check?

A metabolic panel checks your blood sugar, electrolytes, kidney function, and, in the comprehensive version, your liver. A comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) measures 14 substances, while a basic metabolic panel (BMP) measures 8 (MedlinePlus). The CMP adds liver enzymes and proteins that the BMP leaves out, which is why “comprehensive” is the version most often used in a full routine physical.

Key items a CMP reports include:

  • Glucose: blood sugar, used to screen for diabetes and prediabetes.
  • Electrolytes: sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, and bicarbonate, which keep nerves, muscles, and fluid balance working.
  • Kidney markers: blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and creatinine.
  • Liver markers: ALT, AST, albumin, total protein, and bilirubin.

Because the CMP touches so many organs at once, an out of range value here often prompts a follow up test rather than an immediate diagnosis.

What blood tests check cholesterol and heart health?

A lipid panel is the blood test that checks cholesterol and is the main heart health screen in a routine physical. It measures total cholesterol, LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, HDL (“good”) cholesterol, and triglycerides (Cleveland Clinic). A desirable total cholesterol is less than 200 mg/dL, and an optimal LDL is less than 100 mg/dL (American Heart Association guidance).

Here is how the common targets break down for healthy adults:

  • Total cholesterol: desirable is below 200 mg/dL.
  • LDL cholesterol: optimal is below 100 mg/dL, and stricter for people with diabetes or other heart risks.
  • HDL cholesterol: an HDL below 40 mg/dL in men or below 50 mg/dL in women is a cardiovascular risk factor.

Your clinician reads these numbers alongside your blood pressure, age, and smoking status, not in isolation. Some lipid panels require fasting, so confirm the instructions when you book your appointment.

How is blood sugar tested in a physical?

Blood sugar is tested in a physical with a fasting glucose reading, an A1C test, or both. A normal fasting plasma glucose is between 60 and 99 mg/dL, and 100 to 125 mg/dL indicates prediabetes (ADA). The A1C test reflects your average blood sugar over about three months, so it does not require fasting.

The A1C cutoffs are well defined:

  • Normal: below 5.7 percent (NIDDK).
  • Prediabetes: 5.7 to 6.4 percent (NIDDK).
  • Diabetes: 6.5 percent or above (NIDDK).

A single high reading is usually confirmed with a second test before any diabetes diagnosis is made, unless you have clear symptoms. Glucose also appears on the metabolic panel, so blood sugar may be checked even if A1C is not ordered separately.

What blood tests might be added based on your risk?

Beyond the core panels, your clinician may add blood tests based on your age, sex, symptoms, or family history. These are not part of every physical and are ordered selectively, because screening tests work best when matched to genuine risk rather than run on everyone by default.

Common additions include:

  • Thyroid panel (TSH): if you have fatigue, weight changes, or a family history of thyroid disease.
  • Vitamin D or vitamin B12: when deficiency is suspected.
  • Iron studies: to investigate anemia found on a CBC.
  • Hemoglobin A1C: for adults with overweight, high blood pressure, or a family history of diabetes.
  • PSA or hormone tests: based on sex, age, and individual risk.

Talk with your clinician about which add on tests make sense for you. More tests are not automatically better, and unnecessary testing can lead to false alarms and follow up procedures you did not need.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to fast before routine physical blood tests?

Often yes for the lipid panel and fasting glucose, which may require 8 to 12 hours without food. A CBC and A1C usually do not require fasting. Always follow the specific instructions your clinic gives when you book, since requirements vary by which tests are ordered.

How many blood tests are in a routine physical?

Most routine physicals include three core blood panels: a CBC, a metabolic panel, and a lipid panel. A comprehensive metabolic panel alone reports 14 results (MedlinePlus). With added screens like A1C or thyroid, a physical can produce 20 or more individual values from one draw.

What is the difference between a CMP and a BMP?

A basic metabolic panel (BMP) measures 8 substances, while a comprehensive metabolic panel (CMP) measures 14 (MedlinePlus). The CMP adds liver enzymes and proteins. The CMP is more common in a full physical, while a BMP may be used for quicker or more targeted checks.

How often should I get routine blood work?

Many healthy adults get routine blood work every one to three years, with more frequent testing if you have ongoing conditions or risk factors. There is no single rule for everyone. Your clinician sets the interval based on your age, health history, and any results that need monitoring.

Can a routine physical blood test detect cancer?

Routine panels are not designed to diagnose cancer, but abnormal results can prompt further testing. For example, an unusual CBC may lead to additional workup. Dedicated cancer screenings, such as colonoscopy or mammography, are separate from standard blood panels and are scheduled based on age and risk.

Sources

This article is for general educational purposes and is not medical advice. It cannot diagnose or treat you and does not replace your clinician. Always discuss your lab results and any health decisions with a qualified healthcare professional.