Blood tests by age

For adults without symptoms, the USPSTF recommends only a few blood tests: hepatitis C and HIV at least once, blood sugar for some adults 35 to 70, and a cholesterol test that feeds the statin advice at 40 to 75. Most other blood tests at a checkup are not routine screening. Your doctor decides what you need. (USPSTF, 2020) (USPSTF, 2019) (USPSTF, 2021) (USPSTF, 2022)

Each blood test and its age range

Blood tests behind USPSTF advice, with age range and who they are for
Blood test	Ages	Who and how often
Hepatitis C	18 to 79	Once for most adults; again if risk continues (USPSTF, 2020)
HIV	15 to 65	At least once; more often at increased risk (USPSTF, 2019)
Blood sugar (fasting glucose, A1C)	35 to 70	Adults with overweight or obesity; every 3 years may be reasonable if normal; earlier for some, such as a family history of diabetes (USPSTF, 2021)
Cholesterol (lipid panel)	40 to 75	Used in the 10-year heart risk estimate that decides whether a statin is advised; evidence insufficient for starting a statin from 76 (USPSTF, 2022)
Syphilis	Adults	People at increased risk (USPSTF, 2022)
Hepatitis B	Adults	People at increased risk (USPSTF, 2020)

Blood tests by age band

Each band restates the matching age page, where every line has its source.

Routine USPSTF blood tests by age band, with a link to each age page
Age	Blood tests	Age page
18 to 34	Hepatitis C once and HIV at least once if never tested; syphilis and hepatitis B if at increased risk. Blood sugar screening usually waits until 35, and the statin advice that uses a cholesterol test until 40.	Health checks at 30
35 to 39	As above, plus blood sugar if you have overweight or obesity.	Health checks at 35
40 to 65	Cholesterol for the heart risk estimate behind statin advice; blood sugar if you have overweight or obesity; hepatitis C once and HIV at least once if never tested.	Health checks at 50
66 to 70	Cholesterol, blood sugar if you have overweight or obesity (70 is the last year), and hepatitis C once. The routine HIV range ended at 65.	Health checks at 70
71 to 75	Cholesterol (statin advice runs through 75) and hepatitis C once. The blood sugar range ended at 70.	Health checks at 75
76 to 79	Hepatitis C once if never tested. For starting a statin from 76, the evidence is insufficient.	Health checks at 80
80 and older	None is a routine USPSTF screening. The hepatitis C range ended at 79.	Health checks at 80

Every age page: 18, 21, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85.

Not routine screening tests

A complete blood count (CBC) and a basic or comprehensive metabolic panel are not on the USPSTF list of recommended (A and B) services for adults without symptoms. (USPSTF A and B list)
Thyroid tests: the USPSTF found the evidence insufficient to recommend for or against screening adults without symptoms. (USPSTF, 2015) More: thyroid test: who needs one.
Vitamin D: the same, evidence insufficient for adults without symptoms. (USPSTF, 2021) More: vitamin D test: who needs one.
PSA: for men 55 to 69 an individual decision with a clinician (grade C); not recommended from 70 (grade D). (USPSTF, 2018) More: PSA test results.

Your doctor may still order any of these for symptoms, medicines or a known condition. Ranges for the numbers: know your numbers. How often to recheck cholesterol: cholesterol test by age.

Questions people ask

What blood tests should a 60 year old woman get?

Cholesterol, for the heart risk estimate behind statin advice; blood sugar every 3 years if she has overweight or obesity; and hepatitis C once if never tested. A CBC, metabolic panel, thyroid or vitamin D test is not a routine USPSTF screening; her doctor may order one for a reason. (USPSTF, 2022) (USPSTF, 2021) (USPSTF, 2020) (USPSTF, 2015) (USPSTF, 2021)

Is a CBC or metabolic panel a routine screening test?

Not under the USPSTF. A complete blood count and a basic or comprehensive metabolic panel are not on its list of recommended (A and B) services for adults without symptoms. Your doctor may still order them for symptoms, medicines or a known condition. (USPSTF A and B list)

Should I get my thyroid or vitamin D checked every year?

The USPSTF found the evidence insufficient to recommend for or against screening adults without symptoms for either one. (USPSTF, 2015) (USPSTF, 2021)

Is the PSA test a routine blood test for men?

No. For men 55 to 69 it is an individual decision to make with a clinician (grade C), and from 70 the USPSTF recommends against it (grade D). (USPSTF, 2018)