Medically reviewed by Dr David Badov, Medical Director, MBBS FRACP
A full blood test can show how your blood cells, blood sugar, cholesterol, liver, kidneys, thyroid and hormones are working, along with your iron and vitamin levels. In Australia, though, a “full blood test” often means a full blood count, which only looks at your blood cells. A comprehensive panel adds the other marker groups. Here is what each one shows.
Is a full blood count the same as a full blood test?
No. A full blood count (FBC, sometimes written FBE for full blood examination) checks the size, shape and number of your red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets, according to healthdirect. It can point to infection, anaemia, bleeding problems and some other conditions.
What it doesn’t measure is your blood sugar, cholesterol, liver, kidneys, thyroid or hormones. Those are separate tests. If you ask for “a full blood test” and your request form only says FBC, that is the only group you are getting.
What does a full blood test show? The marker groups at a glance
| Marker group | Common tests | What it can flag |
|---|---|---|
| Blood count | FBC: haemoglobin, red cells, white cells, platelets | Anaemia, infection, some blood disorders |
| Blood sugar | Fasting glucose, HbA1c | Prediabetes, type 2 diabetes |
| Heart and cholesterol | LDL, HDL, triglycerides (ApoB in some panels) | Cardiovascular risk |
| Inflammation | CRP (C-reactive protein) | General inflammation in the body |
| Liver | ALT, AST, GGT, ALP, bilirubin, albumin | Liver stress, including fatty liver |
| Kidneys and electrolytes | EUC: electrolytes, urea, creatinine, eGFR | Kidney function, fluid and salt balance |
| Thyroid | TSH (free T4 and free T3 if needed) | An underactive or overactive thyroid |
| Hormones | Testosterone, oestradiol | Hormone imbalance, low testosterone |
| Iron and vitamins | Iron studies, ferritin, vitamin D, B12, folate | Deficiencies behind fatigue and low energy |
| Prostate (men) | PSA | Discussed with your doctor before testing |
Blood count
Your FBC shows whether you have enough healthy red cells to carry oxygen, whether your white cell count suggests infection or inflammation, and whether your platelets are in range for normal clotting. It is often the first clue to anaemia.
Blood sugar: fasting glucose and HbA1c
Fasting glucose is a snapshot of your blood sugar after an overnight fast. HbA1c shows your average over the past two to three months, and needs no fasting. Together they can pick up prediabetes, which Diabetes Australia estimates affects around two million Australians. Read more in our guide to the HbA1c blood test.
Heart and cholesterol
A lipid panel measures LDL (“bad”) cholesterol, HDL (“good”) cholesterol and triglycerides. Some panels add apolipoprotein B (ApoB), which counts the particles that carry cholesterol into artery walls. These numbers are one part of your heart risk. Our article on heart health screening explains how they fit with an ECG and imaging. At HealthScreen, ApoA/ApoB is an optional test at an additional cost, ordered only if clinically indicated.
Liver
Liver function tests measure enzymes such as ALT and AST, plus bilirubin and albumin. Raised enzymes can point to liver stress, and fatty liver disease affects about one in three Australian adults, according to healthdirect. Read more in liver function tests explained.
Kidneys and electrolytes
An EUC test checks electrolytes (such as sodium and potassium), urea and creatinine, and is used to estimate how well your kidneys filter your blood (eGFR). Our EUC blood test guide walks through each result.
Thyroid
TSH is usually the first thyroid test. If it is out of range, free T4 and free T3 help show whether your thyroid is underactive or overactive. Thyroid problems can cause tiredness, weight change and low mood, which is why they are worth ruling out. At HealthScreen, TSH is part of the core panel, and free T4 and free T3 are requested if clinically indicated.
Hormones
Testosterone and oestradiol are included in some comprehensive panels. At HealthScreen, they are not routine and are only requested if clinically indicated. Testosterone needs a morning sample to be read properly. Read more about the testosterone blood test.
Iron and vitamins
Iron studies (including ferritin, your iron stores), vitamin D, vitamin B12 and folate can explain fatigue that other tests miss. At HealthScreen, ferritin and vitamin D are part of the core panel, and vitamin B12 is checked if clinically indicated.
Prostate (PSA)
At HealthScreen, PSA is part of the core panel for men, subject to eligibility based on age, symptoms and family history. Whether to test is a decision to make with your doctor, as a raised PSA has several possible causes.
Inflammation (CRP)
C-reactive protein (CRP) is a general marker of inflammation in the body. A raised CRP doesn’t show where the inflammation is coming from, so it is read in context with your cardiovascular, metabolic and imaging results. At HealthScreen, CRP is part of the core panel.
What can’t a full blood test show?
A blood test measures your blood chemistry, not the structure of your organs. That leaves real gaps:
- Normal results don’t rule everything out. Some conditions, including early liver scarring, can sit alongside near-normal blood results.
- Most cancers can’t be found on routine bloods. Our article on blood tests for cancer markers explains what they can and can’t do.
- One result is one moment. Some markers, such as testosterone and glucose, change with time of day, food and sleep. An out-of-range result often needs repeating.
- An abnormal result isn’t a diagnosis. Pathology Tests Explained notes you can have an abnormal liver result without liver disease, for example. The pattern matters more than any single number.
This is why HealthScreen pairs its blood panel with imaging on the same day, followed by a physician review of all your results together.
Do you need to fast for a full blood test?
It depends on what is included. A full blood count, HbA1c and liver function tests need no fasting. Fasting glucose, by definition, does, and testosterone is best measured in the morning, usually fasting. If your test includes any of these, your request form or clinic will tell you how long to fast.
For a HealthScreen diagnostic day, you fast from midnight the night before: no food, juice, milk, other caloric drinks or coffee, but water is encouraged. Keep taking your regular prescribed medications, including on the morning of your appointment, unless your prescribing doctor or a HealthScreen physician has advised otherwise, and bring a complete list of your medications and supplements.
How to read your full blood test results
Every result on your report sits next to a reference range, the range the lab expects for most healthy people. Anything outside it is usually flagged with H (high) or L (low). A few things to keep in mind:
- Ranges vary between labs, so compare results from the same lab where you can.
- A flag is a prompt for a conversation, not a diagnosis.
- Results mean more together. Raised liver enzymes read differently next to a high HbA1c and high triglycerides than they do on their own.
- Ask what should be repeated, and when.
Questions to ask your doctor about your results
- Which results are outside the range, and does that matter for me?
- Do any of these results need repeating?
- Which results are linked to each other?
- What would change your advice: my weight, diet, family history or medicines?
What’s in a HealthScreen blood panel?
HealthScreen’s core blood panel is included in both the HealthScreen Program and the Platinum Program. It covers your blood count, HbA1c, metabolic panel, liver and kidney function, TSH, CRP, ferritin, vitamin D, cholesterol and, for eligible men, PSA. Additional tests, such as testosterone, hormone panels and vitamin B12, are only ordered if clinically indicated, and optional tests such as ApoA/ApoB and HOMA-IR attract an additional cost. Everything is taken on your diagnostic day and read by a physician alongside your imaging and ECG results.
See the full list on our blood panel and ECG page.
Please note, the blood panel is only available as part of one of the HealthScreen diagnostic programs, not as a stand alone test.
Your results are typically ready within two weeks, and anything that needs prompt attention is followed up straight away. A 14-day follow-up consultation with your HealthScreen physician is included in both programs, and your physician signs off every result. From there, next steps are at your physician’s clinical judgement: further testing, a specialist referral, or no further action.
The significance of an abnormal blood result depends on how far it falls outside the expected range, whether it persists and how it fits with your other findings. Your physician explains which results need action, which need monitoring and which may reflect normal variation.
There are no Medicare or private health rebates on HealthScreen program fees. Pathology is bulk billed with a valid Medicare card, and any out-of-pocket costs for individual tests are discussed with you on the day.
Biomarkers vary between patients. Your Physician requests the tests that are clinically appropriate for your individual risk profile and medical history. A valid Medicare card is required. Patients ineligible for Medicare, including overseas visitors, will incur additional fees for pathology and ECG services.
Full blood test FAQs
Does a full blood count include thyroid?
No. Thyroid function is a separate test. At HealthScreen, TSH is part of the core panel, and free T4 and free T3 are requested if clinically indicated.
Can a full blood test detect cancer?
Routine blood tests can’t reliably detect most cancers, though some results can prompt further investigation. Our cancer markers guide explains which tests exist and their limits.
How often should I have a full blood test?
It depends on your age, risk factors and previous results. Our guide on how often to have a health check covers this in detail.