Which blood values are in a standard blood test?

What is actually in a standard blood test? In short, such a panel often measures four groups: your blood count, inflammation values, your metabolism and a number of organ values. Together they give a broader view of a number of values, not a verdict on your health. In our experience people sometimes expect dozens of values, while a thoughtful panel often needs only a handful of well-chosen measurements (Ozarda 2016).

This article belongs to the overview about your blood values and shows what a basic panel usually contains.

Which groups of values do you see?

Not every panel contains all these groups. What is in it depends on the panel and sometimes on your question.

What do those groups mean in short?

The blood count tallies your blood cells and is one of the most common parts. Read more at complete blood count. Inflammation values like CRP rise with inflammation but do not say where it is. The metabolism group gives a view of your sugar and fats. Organ values like creatinine and eGFR show how your kidneys filter. Read more at kidney function.

Why is not everything in a panel by default?

Measuring more is not always better. Every extra measurement also raises the chance of a chance deviation, simply because the range is a statistical average (Ozarda 2016). So a thoughtful panel chooses values that together give a useful view. If you measure fifty values without a specific question, statistically one soon falls outside range. That says more about probability than about your health.

Which panel suits you?

To measure a number of values without a referral, you can choose a basic health checkup or an extended health checkup at Vitalcheck. The extended one measures more values. If you are unsure, look at your question. Mostly tired? See always tired. Suspect a deficiency? See vitamin deficiency. Every result is reviewed by a BIG-registered doctor.

Frequently asked questions about a standard blood test

How many values are in a standard panel?

It varies per panel. A basic panel focuses on a handful of common groups, while a broader panel measures more. More is not automatically better; it is about values that together mean something.

Do I need to fast for a standard blood test?

It depends on what is measured. For glucose fasting is often common, for many other values not. Read more at fasting before a blood test.

Can I have a panel done without a referral?

Yes. At Vitalcheck you can have a panel done without a referral, reviewed by a BIG-registered doctor. That gives context, not a diagnosis.

References

• Ozarda Y. Reference intervals: current status, recent developments and future considerations. Biochem Med (Zagreb). 2016. PMID: 26981015.
• Sikaris KA. Physiology and its importance for reference intervals. Clin Biochem Rev. 2014. PMID: 24659833.
• Thuisarts.nl. About blood testing.

Every blood test result includes a professional assessment from a BIG-registered doctor. For treatment decisions, discuss your results with your GP.