Credit for the list of blood tests: Mind Muscle Pro
In India, most people only get blood tests when they’re already experiencing symptoms—fatigue, weight gain, irregular periods, hair loss, or worse, when the doctor suspects a disease. But here's the truth! By the time symptoms show up, damage has often already begun.
Whether it’s diabetes, thyroid dysfunction, fatty liver, PCOS, or simply nutrient deficiencies, these conditions don’t appear overnight. They build up silently, under the radar, for years.
That’s where preventive blood work comes in. It’s not just about detecting diseases early. It’s about spotting trends, optimising health, and personalising your nutrition before your body breaks down.
This guide offers a detailed, clinically grounded blood test checklist suited for Indian adults, especially if you're vegetarian, over 30, have a sedentary lifestyle, or have a family history of lifestyle disorders.
Why Blood Tests Are Crucial, Even If You “Feel Fine”
Your energy might be okay, and your weight might be stable, but you could still be metabolically unhealthy.
Research shows that over 50% of Indians with a normal BMI are metabolically unwell, meaning they may have high insulin levels, low-grade inflammation, or early hormonal imbalances without knowing it. This phenomenon is called TOFI (Thin Outside Fat Inside).
Common silent problems we pick up through routine labs:
B12 or Vitamin D deficiency, especially in vegetarians
Iron deficiency, even when haemoglobin is “normal”
Insulin resistance, even if your fasting sugar is fine
Subclinical hypothyroidism, especially in women
Early fatty liver, even if you don’t drink alcohol
Preventive blood work gives you visibility. It’s like checking your engine before your car breaks down on the highway.
How to Use This Guide
This checklist isn’t about over-testing or fear. It’s about understanding:
What to test
Why it matters
How often to repeat it, depending on your health profile
You don’t need to test everything all the time. But you should test the right things at the right time.
1. Glucose & Insulin Function Panel
Why it matters: India has one of the highest rates of type 2 diabetes globally. But before sugar goes up, insulin resistance often begins silently for years.
Tests to include:
HbA1c – 3-month average of blood glucose
Fasting Blood Glucose – snapshot of morning sugar levels
Fasting Insulin – the earliest marker of insulin resistance
Postprandial Glucose – 2 hours after a real meal
Postprandial Insulin – shows how much insulin the body releases after food
HOMA-IR – calculated index to assess insulin resistance
When to test:
Every 6 months, if overweight, PCOS, or a family history of diabetes
Annually for healthy individuals with no risk factors
Note: PP glucose after a standard meal is more relevant than using glucose load in real-world scenarios.
2. Complete Blood Count (CBC)
Why it matters: The CBC is basic, but crucial. It can detect hidden infections, anaemia, nutrient-related changes in red cells, or immune system stress.
What it includes:
Haemoglobin, Hematocrit
RBC, WBC, Platelet count
MCV, MCH, MCHC – tells us about iron, B12 or folate deficiencies
RDW – red cell size variation, often abnormal in early deficiencies
When to test:
Every 12 months for most
Every 6 months, if fatigued, pale, or menstruating heavily
Tip: In Indian women, a “normal” haemoglobin of 12.1 might still be too low functionally. Ferritin and RDW provide better context.
3. Lipid Profile & Heart Disease Risk
Why it matters: Indians are genetically predisposed to high triglycerides and low HDL, making us more vulnerable to early heart disease.
Standard tests:
Total Cholesterol
LDL (bad cholesterol)
HDL (good cholesterol)
Triglycerides
Advanced markers:
ApoB – measures the number of cholesterol particles (more predictive than LDL)
Lipoprotein(a) – genetic marker for inherited heart disease risk
hs-CRP – an inflammation marker that predicts vascular damage
Homocysteine – vascular and neurological risk marker, linked to B-vitamin status
When to test:
Lipid profile: Once a year
ApoB: Once every 2–3 years
Lipoprotein(a): Once in a lifetime
hs-CRP and Homocysteine: Yearly, especially with a family history of CVD
Important: Even if LDL is low, a high ApoB can indicate risk. And Lp(a) is not affected by diet—knowing it early can save lives.
4. Iron Studies
Why it matters: Haemoglobin alone doesn’t reflect your iron status. You can have “normal” Hb and still be functionally iron deficient—common in vegetarians and menstruating women.
Panel to include:
Serum Iron
Total Iron Binding Capacity (TIBC)
Transferrin Saturation (TSAT)
Ferritin (best marker for storage)
Optional: Serum transferrin
When to test:
Women: Every 6–12 months
Men: Every 1–2 years or if fatigue, poor sleep, or restless legs
Functional range: Ferritin should ideally be >40 ng/mL for good energy and hair health, even though labs may mark >12 as normal.
5. Thyroid Function Panel
Why it matters: Thyroid disorders are rising rapidly in Indian women. Often missed due to vague symptoms like fatigue, constipation, hair loss, or mood swings.
Panel to include:
TSH
Free T3 and Free T4 (not just total)
Optional: Anti-TPO (if autoimmune thyroiditis is suspected)
When to test:
Annually, for most adults
Every 6 months, if symptoms or family history are present
Tip: TSH alone is not enough. Many with “normal” TSH have low free T3 and symptoms of hypothyroidism.
6. Inflammation & Vascular Damage
Why it matters: Low-grade inflammation silently damages blood vessels, insulin signalling, and brain tissue, even without infection or pain.
Key markers:
hs-CRP – C-reactive protein, a sensitive measure of chronic inflammation
Homocysteine – when elevated, linked to blood clots, stroke risk, and infertility
When to test:
Once a year
Every 6 months, if overweight, diabetic, or with fatigue, joint pain, or poor recovery
Elevated hs-CRP without infection is a red flag—consider gut health, obesity, and chronic stress as drivers.
7. Vitamins and Micronutrient Panel
Why it matters: Most Indian diets, especially vegetarian ones, are low in key nutrients, often undiagnosed for years.
Core tests:
Vitamin B12
Folate (Vitamin B9)
Vitamin D3 (25-OH D)
Optional additions:
RBC Magnesium – fatigue, cramps, blood sugar stability
Zinc & Copper – immunity, skin, hormonal balance
Omega-3 Index – if non-vegetarian or taking supplements
When to test:
B12, Folate, D3: Every 6–12 months
Others: Yearly or based on symptoms
Note: Serum B12 may appear normal even when tissue levels are low. Combine with homocysteine or MMA for better accuracy if needed.
8. Liver Function Tests (LFTs)
Why it matters: Fatty liver is now common even among non-drinkers. Early detection is crucial, especially with central obesity and high-carb diets.
Tests:
SGOT (AST)
SGPT (ALT)
GGT (fatty liver, alcohol damage)
Bilirubin
ALP
Albumin, Total Protein
When to test:
Once a year
Every 6 months, if elevated BMI, PCOS, insulin resistance, or on medications
GGT is often missed in basic panels, but it is the earliest marker of liver overload.
9. Kidney Function & Electrolytes
Why it matters: Early kidney dysfunction has no symptoms. Blood pressure, sodium balance, and fatigue can all be affected.
Tests:
Creatinine
BUN (Blood Urea Nitrogen)
Uric Acid
Sodium, Potassium, Chloride
Calcium, Phosphorus
When to test:
Annually for the general population
Every 6 months, if hypertensive, diabetic, or on medication
Don’t ignore uric acid—it’s not just for gout. High levels are associated with metabolic dysfunction.
Testing Frequency Guide (Summary)
Frequency | Recommended Tests |
|---|---|
Every 6–12 months | HbA1c, Fasting Glucose & Insulin, PP Glucose, Lipid Profile, B12, D3, Folate, Iron (Women), hs-CRP |
Once a year | CBC, LFT, KFT, Thyroid Panel, Homocysteine, Iron (Men) |
Every 2–3 years | ApoB |
Once in a lifetime | Lipoprotein(a) |
Final Word
This checklist is a preventive tool, not a diagnostic protocol.
A qualified practitioner should always interpret test results in the context of your symptoms, lifestyle, and medical history, not just by reference to ranges.
Testing too often without a clinical indication may lead to overtreatment or anxiety. Testing too late may mean missed intervention opportunities.
Need help interpreting your labs or planning your next move?
Share this post