Yes, if we feel it is necessary, we can arrange private blood tests locally in at our Guildford clinic, or at locations over the UK using Nationwide Pathology. We have a range of hormonal blood profiles depending on your individual needs.
If you are over 45 years of age, have irregular periods and other symptoms of the menopause, you do not normally need any blood tests to diagnose the menopause. Talking through what symptoms you are experiencing is the basis for a diagnosis of the perimenopause or menopause. Tracking your symptoms is really helpful, using a symptom chart or app as symptoms come and go as hormones fluctuate wildly in perimenopause.
If you are younger than 45 years of age, we may want you to have some tests before making a diagnosis. The most common test is a blood test measuring a level of a hormone called follicle stimulating hormone (FSH). If this is high, then it is very likely that you are menopausal. The blood test is often repeated 4 to 6 weeks later, to confirm. If you are under 40 years, then you may be advised to have further investigations to rule out other conditions that can affect your hormones, or cause your periods to stop, like genetic or autoimmune problems. Periods can stop due to other causes like stress, extreme exercise, weight changes or if you have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) so it is important to do tests in younger women.
Blood tests can be helpful to guide us if your symptoms are not improving on your HRT, despite dose changes and to monitor your absorption of the hormones.
We do monitor blood tests when we prescribe testosterone, to make sure your level of testosterone is kept in the female range. We test before starting testosterone, to make sure you do not already have high levels and then we test according to NICE guidelines.
We can arrange for blood tests for you, at a cost, at our Guildford clinic, or using our national blood service, or you can ask your GP to take them for you, and give the results to us.
Blood test profiles can include a range of tests including: oestradiol, testosterone, SHBG, FBC, U+E, LFT, Hba1c, Vitamin B12, folate, Vitamin D, Coeliac screening, TFT, FSH and LH. We can arrange bespoke tests, if necessary.