The 7 Most Common Blood Tests in Australia
What they check, who needs them, and what Medicare covers
🩺 Your Essential Preventive Health Toolkit
Every year, millions of Australians roll up their sleeves for routine blood tests. These seven tests are the workhorses of preventive healthcare in Australia - catching problems early, monitoring chronic conditions, and giving you peace of mind.
The best part? With a GP referral, Medicare covers all of these! Let's break down what each test does and who needs it.
Full Blood Count (FBC)
Also called: Complete Blood Count (CBC), Blood Count
🔍 What It Checks
- • Red blood cells (oxygen carriers)
- • White blood cells (infection fighters)
- • Platelets (clotting helpers)
- • Hemoglobin levels (anemia indicator)
👥 Who Needs It
- • Anyone feeling constantly tired
- • Frequent infections
- • Unexplained bruising/bleeding
- • Before surgery
- • Annual health checks
Lipid Panel / Cholesterol Test
Also called: Lipid Profile, Cholesterol Screen
🔍 What It Checks
- • Total cholesterol
- • LDL (bad cholesterol)
- • HDL (good cholesterol)
- • Triglycerides (blood fats)
👥 Who Needs It
- • Age 45+ (men), 55+ (women)
- • Family history of heart disease
- • High blood pressure
- • Diabetes
- • Smokers or overweight
Thyroid Function Test (TSH)
Also called: Thyroid Panel, TSH Test
🔍 What It Checks
- • TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone)
- • T4 (thyroxine) if TSH abnormal
- • T3 (triiodothyronine) if needed
- • Thyroid antibodies if suspected autoimmune
👥 Who Needs It
- • Unexplained weight changes
- • Always tired or wired
- • Hair loss, cold/heat intolerance
- • Women trying to conceive
- • Family history of thyroid disease
Iron Studies
Also called: Iron Panel, Ferritin Test
🔍 What It Checks
- • Serum iron (iron in blood)
- • Ferritin (iron stores)
- • Transferrin saturation
- • TIBC (iron-binding capacity)
👥 Who Needs It
- • Women with heavy periods
- • Vegetarians/vegans
- • Pregnant women
- • Athletes (especially runners)
- • Constant fatigue despite sleep
HbA1c & Glucose Test
Also called: Blood Sugar Test, Diabetes Screen
🔍 What It Checks
- • HbA1c (3-month average blood sugar)
- • Fasting glucose (instant snapshot)
- • Diabetes and pre-diabetes
- • Blood sugar control over time
👥 Who Needs It
- • Age 40+ (every 3 years)
- • Overweight/obese
- • Family history of diabetes
- • High blood pressure
- • Previous gestational diabetes
Vitamin D Test
Also called: 25-hydroxyvitamin D, Vitamin D Level
🔍 What It Checks
- • Vitamin D levels in blood
- • Bone health status
- • Calcium absorption ability
- • Immune function support
👥 Who Needs It
- • Limited sun exposure
- • Darker skin tones
- • Osteoporosis risk
- • Pregnancy/breastfeeding
- • Seniors (65+)
Liver Function Test (LFT)
Also called: Hepatic Panel, Liver Enzymes
🔍 What It Checks
- • ALT & AST (liver enzymes)
- • ALP (alkaline phosphatase)
- • Bilirubin (waste product)
- • Albumin & total protein
👥 Who Needs It
- • Regular alcohol drinkers
- • Overweight (fatty liver risk)
- • Taking long-term medications
- • Hepatitis exposure
- • Family history of liver disease
📅 Your Preventive Health Schedule
When to get each test based on age and risk factors
18-39 Years
40-64 Years
65+ Years
💰 Medicare Coverage Explained
✅ Fully Covered (Bulk Billed)
All 7 tests are 100% covered by Medicare when ordered by your GP for medical reasons. You pay $0 at bulk-billing pathology labs.
⚠️ May Not Be Covered
Routine screening without symptoms ("just checking") may not qualify. Some tests like Vitamin D need specific clinical indication.
💡 Pro Tip
Book your 45+ Health Check (free for 45-49 year-olds) or 75+ Health Assessment. These comprehensive checkups include most blood tests!
🎯 Key Takeaways
Prevention is Key
These 7 tests catch most major health issues early when they are easier to treat.
Medicare Covers It
With a GP referral, all these tests are free at bulk-billing labs. No excuses!
Schedule Matters
Age 40+ is when screening becomes crucial. Don't wait for symptoms!
Track Trends
One test is a snapshot. Regular testing shows trends - that's where the insights are!
📚 Australian Resources
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Healthdirect Australia: Complete Blood Test Guide
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Australian Clinical Labs: Find Collection Centre
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Department of Health: Preventive Health Checks
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My Health Record: Access Your Test Results Online
Track All Your Tests in One Place!
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