Women's health: Blood tests to consider

Blood tests are a powerful tool to help understand what is really happening with your health and what your body needs. For women, certain tests can help to detect health issues early, understand your fertility or monitor changes in your body.

Here are some common blood tests recommended for women and what they’re used for:

  1. Full Blood Count (FBC) Blood Test

A Full Blood Count (FBC) Blood Test is a way to look at the health of your blood cells. It can help identify conditions like anaemia, infection and inflammation in your white blood cells as well as clotting issues. Some common reasons to consider this test would be if you’re experiencing fatigue, frequent illness or unexplained bruising.

  1. Thyroid Function (TSH, T3, T4) Blood Tests

Women are more likely to develop thyroid problems, so it’s important to make sure yours is functioning properly if you’ve been feeling a bit off for a while now. Your thyroid is a small gland in your neck responsible for regulating metabolism, energy levels and hormone balance. Thyroid Function (TSH, T3, T4) Blood Tests can help to check if you have hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism. Symptoms like tiredness, weight changes, anxiety or irregular periods could be linked to your thyroid.

  1. Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Blood Test

Luteinizing Hormone (LH) is a hormone produced in the brain and is a vital element of fertility. Having a Luteinizing Hormone (LH) Blood Test can help to give you a clear picture of your menstrual cycle, including ovulation date, which is useful if you’re trying to conceive. It can also confirm the start of menopause or perimenopause and investigate problems with your menstrual cycle.

  1. CA125 Blood Test: Ovarian Cancer Risk

When your level of CA125 is raised, it could signal a risk for ovarian cancer. It’s not a diagnosis for cancer and if you have raised levels of CA125 it would need to be investigated further, but it could help you if your doctor has recommended having a CA125 Blood Test alongside any potential symptoms of ovarian cancer.

These are just a few of the blood tests we have available to book with no referral needed from your GP.

Routine blood tests are quick and easy to book and they can help you get a better understanding of your overall health. Whether you’re managing a specific concern or just want a general check in, blood tests are a useful first step to support your healthcare journey.