When you’re navigating perimenopause, menopause, fertility changes, or simply wanting clarity about your overall health, blood tests can feel confusing and overwhelming. But these numbers tell an incredibly important story about what’s happening inside your body.

At The Female Health Doctor Clinic, our mission is to make your results simple, clear, and actionable, so you feel informed, empowered, and confident about the decisions you make.

Below is a comprehensive guide to the most important blood tests used in women’s health, what each one means, and how they help shape your personalised care plan.

Table of Contents

1. Hormone Panel: The Story of Your Ovaries, Brain & Hormone Balance

FSH & LH (Follicle-Stimulating Hormone & Luteinising Hormone)

What do they show?

FSH and LH are signalling hormones released by your brain to communicate with your ovaries. When your ovaries begin to slow down, typical in perimenopause, your brain “turns up the volume”, causing FSH and LH levels to rise.

Why does it matter?

High levels often indicate reduced ovarian function and can confirm transitions such as:

Early perimenopause
Menopause
Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI)

These hormones help explain symptoms like irregular periods, hot flushes, low mood, and night sweats.

Treatment insight

Your FSH/LH levels can support decisions about:

Whether HRT may be beneficial
Detecting POI
Timing of interventions related to fertility

Note: According to NICE and BMS guidance, diagnosis of perimenopause is based primarily on symptoms in women over 45.

Oestradiol (E2)

What does it show?

Oestradiol is the most active form of oestrogen before menopause. It supports:

Mood and cognition
Sleep
Vaginal health
Bones
Skin elasticity
Heart health

Why does it matter?

Low oestradiol is linked to:

Brain fog
Insomnia
Low mood
Hot flushes
Joint pain
Vaginal dryness

Treatment insight

Your oestradiol level helps tailor:

The dose of HRT
The type (patch, gel, spray, tablet)
Whether adjustments are needed to improve symptom control
Oral HRT and oral contraception skews the results, so it’s best to be on HRT that goes through the skin or on no oral oestrogen at all for 6 weeks before doing the test

Testosterone (Free & Total) and SHBG

What do they show?

Women produce testosterone too, mainly from the ovaries and adrenal glands. It influences:

Libido
Motivation
Muscle mass
Exercise tolerance
Cognition
Energy

SHBG binds testosterone; high SHBG = less testosterone available.

Why does it matter?

Low testosterone can cause:

Persistent low energy
Low libido
Reduced muscle tone
Difficulty concentrating

Treatment insight

If symptoms persist despite balanced HRT, testosterone therapy may be considered, following BMS guidance, which states it is appropriate for low libido and certain menopausal symptoms when other treatments are insufficient. At our clinic we also prescribe for low energy, poor concentration, brain fog and when generally feeling “flat” even with optimal HRT.

AMH (Anti-Müllerian Hormone)

What does it show?

AMH indicates the number of eggs remaining, your ovarian reserve.

Why does it matter?

AMH can help:

Predict how close you may be to menopause
Guide fertility planning
Support diagnosis of POI (on it’s own doesn’t diagnose POI)
Support PCOS diagnosis
Explain cycle irregularities

Treatment insight

AMH can support decisions around:

Fertility referrals
Egg freezing
Hormone support
Planning for future menopause transitions

2. Metabolic & Thyroid Panel: Your Body’s Engine Check

Thyroid (TSH, Free T4 ± Free T3)

What do they show?

Your thyroid acts as the “metabolic thermostat.” Imbalances can mimic menopausal symptoms.

Why does it matter?

An underactive thyroid (hypothyroidism) can cause:

Fatigue
Weight gain
Hair loss
Low mood
Brain fog

An overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism) causes the opposite.

Treatment insight

If thyroid function is suboptimal, targeted thyroid hormone replacement may be required. Treating thyroid dysfunction can dramatically improve hormone symptoms that may otherwise be mistaken for menopause.

HbA1c & Glucose

What do they show?

These tests assess blood sugar control.

HbA1c: 3-month blood sugar average
Random glucose: A point-in-time snapshot

Why does it matter?

Higher levels increase the risk of:

Type 2 diabetes
Weight gain
Heart disease
Worsening menopausal symptoms

Treatment insight

Raised results may prompt:

Lifestyle guidance
Continuous glucose monitoring
Metformin
Cardio-metabolic health tracking

Lipid Profile (Cholesterol)

What does it show?

A breakdown of your cholesterol and cardiovascular risk, including:

LDL (“bad cholesterol”)
HDL (“good cholesterol”)
Triglycerides

Why does it matter?

Oestrogen naturally protects heart health. After menopause, cholesterol generally rises.

Treatment insight

Your results may shape:

HRT delivery method (patches often beneficial for lipids)
Dietary and lifestyle changes
Decisions around statin use

3. Nutrient Status: The Foundation of Energy, Mood & Immunity

Vitamin D

Why it matters

Low vitamin D is extremely common in the UK due to lack of sunlight. It contributes to:

Fatigue
Low mood
Muscle weakness
Immune issues
Bone thinning

Treatment insight

Supplementation is simple and highly effective, especially during perimenopause and menopause when bone health becomes crucial.

Vitamin B12

Why it matters

Low B12 causes:

Tiredness
Brain fog
Memory problems
Tingling in hands/feet

These can easily be misdiagnosed as menopause symptoms.

Treatment insight

Oral supplements or intramuscular injections can quickly restore levels and improve cognitive function.

Iron Studies (Ferritin, Serum Iron, Transferrin)

Why it matters

Iron deficiency remains one of the most common causes of fatigue in women, especially with heavy periods or postpartum.

Symptoms include:

Tiredness
Breathlessness
Hair loss
Palpitations

Treatment insight

Replenishing iron levels via oral supplements or IV infusions can significantly improve energy and wellbeing.

4. Inflammation & Organ Health: The Bigger Picture

CRP (C-Reactive Protein)

What does it show?

CRP measures low-grade inflammation across the body.

Why does it matter?

Raised inflammation can contribute to:

Joint pain
Fatigue
Worsening menopausal symptoms
Increased cardiovascular risk

Treatment insight

You may benefit from anti-inflammatory approaches including diet, stress management, and if needed, medication.

Liver Function Tests (LFTs)

Why they matter

Your liver processes hormones, supplements, and medications, including HRT.

Treatment insight

Abnormal results may adjust:

The type of HRT you’re prescribed
Whether patches or gels are preferable (they bypass the liver)

5. CA125: Understanding This Often-Misunderstood Marker

What does it show?

CA125 is a protein that can be raised in several benign conditions including:

Endometriosis
Fibroids
Pelvic infections
Adenomyosis
Menstruation
Ovarian cysts

Why does it matter?

Although often associated with ovarian cancer, CA125 is not a diagnostic test. It is most reliable in:

Women over 50
Postmenopausal women
When used alongside scans and clinical assessment

Treatment insight

If your CA125 is raised, your clinician will consider:

Age
Symptoms
Menstrual status
Scan results

Most mildly raised results are not concerning, but persistent or rising results require further assessment.

Your Results Tell a Story, And We Help You Understand It

Every blood test is a piece of your unique health picture. At The Female Health Doctor Clinic, we don’t just look at numbers – we look at you: your symptoms, goals, lifestyle, and future plans.

You’ll always receive:
✔ Clear explanations in normal language
✔ A personalised treatment plan
✔ Options that support your long-term wellbeing
✔ Compassionate, specialist women’s health care

If you’re ready to get clarity on your symptoms and take control of your health, we’re here to help.

👉 Book your consultation here

👉 Book an advanced blood panel here

References & Evidence Base

NICE Guideline NG23: Menopause Diagnosis & Management
British Menopause Society (BMS) Consensus Statements
NHS UK – Blood Tests, Vitamin D, B12, Thyroid Disease
Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists: Ovarian Reserve & AMH
The European Society of Human Reproduction and Embryology (ESHRE): POI Guidelines
British Heart Foundation: Cholesterol & Cardiovascular Risk in Women
BMJ: Understanding CA125 and Ovarian Cancer Risk
Lancet Diabetes & Endocrinology: Midlife Metabolic Changes