Since the last review of this subject in this journal, there have been a number of developments in this area that are of relevance to the management of clinical problems of older people. It is important to note that the results of blood tests obtained in older people may differ in significance compared to those obtained from younger people. This review is based on a literature search using Medline, usually going back to 1998, combining sets of papers with the key word ‘elderly’. Studies known to the author were also included.