Frequently asked questions

Blood tests help your clinician understand your current hormone levels and other relevant markers, so your treatment plan can be tailored specifically to you rather than guessed at.

A trained phlebotomist takes a small sample from a vein in your arm, usually using a standard needle and vial — the process itself takes just a few minutes.

If you're still having periods, certain hormone tests are best taken on specific days of your cycle. Your clinician will advise the ideal timing based on which tests you need.

This depends on your symptoms and treatment history. Your clinician will recommend a panel tailored to your situation during your consultation.

Blood tests can usually be arranged at one of our clinics or through a partner testing service near you, depending on your location.

You'll check in, confirm which tests you're having, and the sample itself only takes a few minutes. You can typically resume normal activities straight after.

Certain hormone results can be affected by the timing of your HRT dose. Your clinician will let you know if you need to test at a particular point relative to your treatment.

Let your phlebotomist know beforehand — they're experienced in helping nervous patients and can talk you through the process, use numbing options where available, or have you lie down during the test.

An FBC measures your red cells, white cells, and platelets. It gives a general picture of your overall health and can flag issues like anaemia or infection.

Stay hydrated, and if fasting is required for any of your tests, your clinician will let you know in advance. Wear something with easy access to your upper arm.

Results are typically available within 5–7 working days, and your clinician will talk you through them at your next appointment or via a results summary.

TgAb are antibodies that can indicate autoimmune thyroid activity. Raised levels may prompt further investigation into thyroid function.

TPOAb are another marker of autoimmune thyroid disease, often tested alongside TgAb when thyroid dysfunction is suspected.

This test measures hormones that regulate your metabolism. Thyroid imbalances can cause symptoms that overlap with perimenopause and menopause, so it's often checked to rule out other causes.

FAI is a calculated ratio that helps assess how much testosterone is actually available and active in your body, taking SHBG levels into account.

SHBG is a protein that binds to hormones like testosterone and oestrogen, affecting how much is freely available for your body to use.

Testosterone plays a role in energy, mood, focus, and libido. Levels naturally decline with age and can contribute to symptoms during perimenopause and menopause.

Oestradiol is the primary form of oestrogen in the body before menopause, playing a key role in reproductive health, bone density, and mood regulation.

Total cholesterol measures the overall amount of cholesterol in your blood, combining both HDL and LDL, and is used to assess cardiovascular risk.

HDL is often called "good" cholesterol as it helps remove excess cholesterol from your bloodstream, while LDL ("bad" cholesterol) can build up in artery walls if levels are too high.

Lipids include cholesterol and triglycerides. Monitoring them helps assess your risk of cardiovascular disease, which can shift during perimenopause and menopause.

HbA1c reflects your average blood sugar levels over roughly the past 2–3 months and is used to screen for, or monitor, diabetes and prediabetes.

Liver function tests check how well your liver is working, which is relevant since the liver processes many hormones and medications, including HRT.

This test checks how efficiently your kidneys filter waste from your blood, giving an overall picture of kidney health.

Vitamin D supports bone health, immune function, and mood. Many people run low, particularly in winter months, so it's a commonly checked marker.

Both are essential for energy production and red blood cell health. Low levels can cause fatigue and other symptoms that may overlap with hormonal changes.

Ferritin reflects your body's iron stores. Low levels can indicate iron deficiency, a common cause of fatigue, particularly in women with heavy periods.