Between 18 and 39 most people feel well, and blood tests are something that happens to other people or to older relatives. Then a parent mentions their cholesterol, a friend finds out their iron is low, or you start training seriously and want to know where you stand. A first adult health check blood test gives you a baseline: a set of numbers taken while you feel fine, which makes every later result easier to read.
What a baseline is for
Most blood markers mean more when they can be compared over time. A cholesterol or kidney result taken at 28 becomes a reference point for the same test at 38. It is also worth knowing that some common conditions give no warning signs. The NHS says high cholesterol does not usually cause symptoms and that a blood test is the only way to find out if you have it.
It helps to be honest about what a check-up can and cannot do. A Cochrane review of randomised trials found that general health checks in unselected adults had little or no effect on overall mortality (Krogsbøll et al., 2019). A blood test is information, not protection. Its value lies in what you and a professional do with it.
For younger adults, the most useful information is often about long-term risk. A review on cardiovascular risk in people aged 20 to 39 highlights factors such as smoking, raised blood pressure, a family history of early heart disease and inherited high cholesterol, and discusses lipid markers that help understand long-term risk (Stone et al., 2022). If any of these apply to you, mention them when you discuss your results.
Two panels for a first adult health check
General Health Profile
The General Health Profile is the simpler of the two. The LML lists 19 markers covering:
- a full cholesterol profile, including LDL, HDL, triglycerides, non-HDL cholesterol and the total cholesterol to HDL ratio;
- HbA1c, a marker of average blood sugar;
- liver markers such as ALT, GGT, alkaline phosphatase, bilirubin and albumin;
- kidney markers: urea, creatinine and eGFR;
- calcium, iron and urate (uric acid).
According to the LML, this panel can be done with a finger-prick home kit or with a sample from a vein.
Well Person Premier Plus Profile
The Well Person Premier Plus Profile is wider: 39 markers in the LML list. On top of what the General Health Profile covers, it adds:
- a full blood count, which looks at red cells, white cells and platelets;
- thyroid function, with TSH and free T4;
- a full iron status profile, including ferritin;
- creatine kinase, a marker the LML links to muscle health;
- AST, globulin and total protein.
Because it includes a full blood count, the LML says it needs a sample from a vein.
Which one makes sense for you
There is no single right answer, but a few questions help:
- Do you mainly want cholesterol, blood sugar, liver and kidneys? The General Health Profile covers those, and it can be done at home.
- Do you also want blood count, thyroid and iron stores? The Well Person Premier Plus adds them, with a sample taken from a vein.
- Do you train hard or follow a restricted diet? Iron stores and a full blood count may be more relevant, which points towards the wider panel.
Either way, the choice is worth discussing with a professional who knows your history, especially if heart disease or high cholesterol runs in your family.
