Blood tests: what to get and why they are important for your health

Blood tests are one of the simplest and most accurate ways to get an overview of our health. A single tube of blood can tell if our organs are working properly, if we are getting enough nutrients, or if there is a hidden health problem. Yet many people only go for blood tests when problems arise - and that's a shame. Preventive screening can detect problems early, when they are still solvable.

In this article, we'll look at which blood tests are most important, what exactly they show and why it's worth having them even when you're feeling healthy.

Our 3 tips for blood draws

1. Go for morning and fasting blood draws

Most blood tests (such as sugar, cholesterol or liver tests) require you to come in on an empty stomach. Ideally, you should not eat for at least 8-12 hours before your blood draw and drink only plain water. Coffee, tea or sugary drinks can skew the results.

2. Plan to collect in the morning

The levels of some hormones (e.g. cortisol, testosterone) change during the day, so doctors recommend taking the test between 7am and 9am. In addition, the body is usually rested in the morning, which ensures more reliable results.

3. As a preventive measure once a year, more often if there are problems

For a healthy person, it is usually enough to have a basic blood test once a year as part of a preventive check-up with a general practitioner. If you have a chronic illness, take medication or play sports at a peak level, it is advisable to repeat the blood tests more frequently as recommended by your doctor.