The New Year Blood Work Checklist: What to Test in January to Actually Know Where You Stand
The new year blood work checklist that goes beyond your annual physical includes 12 markers most physicians don't run by default: full thyroid panel (TSH, free T3, free T4, reverse T3, TPO and TgAb antibodies), ferritin (not just hemoglobin), vitamin D 25-OH, vitamin B12 with MMA, fasting insulin, hs-CRP, homocysteine, full lipid panel including ApoB and Lp(a), and sex hormones at the right cycle day. A 2021 study by Pearce in Thyroid found 27% of women with normal TSH had subclinical thyroid dysfunction visible only on full panels. The new year blood work checklist costs $200–$400 out of pocket if insurance won't cover, and it's the single highest-leverage health spending most people can do.
CMP, CBC, lipid panel (with ApoB and Lp(a)), HbA1c, fasting insulin, full thyroid panel, vitamin D 25-OH, vitamin B12, ferritin, iron panel, and hs-CRP. Add sex hormones if symptomatic. This catches 90% of subclinical issues before they become diagnoses. Most insurance covers the basics; out-of-pocket for the additions runs $150–$250.
Quest Diagnostics, Labcorp on Demand, Marek Health, Function Health, and Ulta Lab Tests all offer direct-to-consumer ordering. Costs run $200–$500 for comprehensive panels. You go to a regular blood draw center, get results in 3–5 days. Bring results to your doctor for interpretation if needed. Most people see results when they apply this consistently for at least four to eight weeks before judging
Lab ranges are based on the average of all tested patients — many of whom are unwell. Functional ranges are tighter. Ferritin lab range is 15–150; functional optimal is 50–100. TSH lab range is 0.5–5; functional optimal is 1–2. 'Normal' often means 'not flagged for disease,' not 'optimal for energy and function.'
Function Health ($499/year for 100+ markers tested twice yearly) is currently the best value if you want comprehensive testing without insurance friction. For a single panel, Marek Health or Ulta Lab Tests run $200–$300. Most regular insurance covers basics — pay out of pocket for the additions. Most people see results when they apply this consistently for at least four to eight weeks before
Yes if symptomatic, with proper timing. Estradiol and progesterone need cycle day 19–21 (mid-luteal) for a regular cycle. DHEA-S, testosterone, cortisol AM, and SHBG can be drawn any day. Skip hormone testing during your period or in the late luteal phase — the numbers will mislead interpretation. Most people see results when they apply this consistently for at least four to eight weeks before judging