Key perimenopause labs to improve symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, & hair loss, and to improve healthspan! (PDF download + ordering links)
I get asked by proactive midlife women all the time:
- What lab tests do I need?
- How do I order them?
- What do my results mean?
Women are waking up to the fact that Perimenopause is about a lot more than hot flashes, belly fat and sleepless nights…though all of those deserve attention.
It’s also a wake up call to take a proactive approach to screening for early (and often silent!) signs of chronic disease: rising cholesterol, blood sugar, insulin, and inflammation, as well as loss of muscle and bone.
If that’s you, you’ve come to the right place!
What labs do I need?
What tests you personally need may differ a bit from the list below, but these are a GREAT place to start for nearly all perimenopausal and menopausal women!
Essential Perimenopause Lab Screen (bloodwork)
Blood Counts/Immune Health:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC) w/ Differential
Metabolic Health/Glucose/Liver Health:
- Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (CMP)
- Hemoglobin A1c
- Insulin
Cardiovascular Health:
- Lipid Panel (Chol, HDL, LDL, TG)
- Apo B
- Lipoprotein (a)
Inflammation:
- hsCRP
- Sed Rate (ESR)
Nutrients:
- Vitamin D
- Omega Check (Omega 3, 6, DHA, EPA, Linoleic acid, & more)
- Iron Panel (Iron, TIBC, % Saturation)
- Ferritin
Thyroid Health:
- Full Thyroid Panel (TSH, Total & Free T4, Total & Free T3)
- Thyroid Antibodies (TPO and TG)
ORDER YOUR PERIMENOPAUSE LAB SCREEN NOW! (includes Quest order + review session)
Other Essential Peri Health Screenings
DEXA bone density/body composition:
- DexaFit, etc.
At-home tests:
- Waist circumference/Waist to Height Ratio (WHR)
- Blood pressure
- Blood sugar (fingerstick/CGM)
Breast screening:
- Mammogram/ultrasound/MRI/QT imaging, etc.
Medical Specialist Screenings:
- Colonoscopy (age 45+)
- Skin check (Dermatologist)
- Eye exam
- others?
Optional Add-Ons
- Hormone Panel?
- Autoimmune Screens? (ANA, RNP, tTg IgA, etc.)
- Stool Test? (GI MAP, etc.)
- Complete Micronutrient Panel? (Vibrant, etc.)
- Others recommend by your team
What about hormone testing in perimenopause?
Most women assume they need to test their hormones to understand what’s going on in perimenopause.
But most providers don’t test your hormones in perimenopause because:
- Hormones (especially estrogen) can fluctuate day-to-day, so a single test isn’t always reliable
- Your symptoms and your non-hormone labs usually tell us all we need to know about what stage of peri you’re in, and which nutrition, supplements, and lifestyle interventions you need
If you’re on hormone replacement therapy (HRT), or interested in starting it, some prescribers will check your hormones. I’m happy to help you navigate those discussions with your team if helpful, but I usually defer any hormone testing to your prescriber since they are actively managing your HRT regimen.
How do I order the lab tests I need?
Can my doctor order them?
Your doctor or other medical provider can certainly order all of these – it’s more a matter of whether he/she is willing to order them, and what you’ll pay if your insurance doesn’t cover them.
Can you help me order them myself?
Yes! Most of my peri clients just prefer to order these directly becuase it’s faster, easier, and very affordable.
Three ways we can do this:
- Order from direct-to-consumer sites like Ulta Labs, or
- Purchase the Perimenopause Lab Screen with (includes Quest order for 15 essential markers & review session), or
- Join my Perimenopause Fix and get $50 off the Perimenopause Lab Screen + deep discounts on any other labs or functional tests you need! 👇
Join the Perimenopause Fix Now!
How do I know what my results mean?
Understanding what your results mean, and knowing what changes will improve your test results are just as important as getting the right tests ordered.
If your doctor is just telling you that everything looks “normal,” please know, there’s more to it than that.
When we review your lab results together, we walk through each item so you know whether your level is optimal. Then we co-create a personalized action plan to help you make the food, exercise, supplement, and lifestyle changes that will help you most.
If needed, we may also refer you to a medical provider or other specialty to ensure you’re getting expert, multidisciplinary care.
The point is, knowing what tests you need and getting expert help to interpret your results are both critical to help you choose the nutrition, lifestyle, and medical interventions that will have the most impact on your peri symptoms as well as your long term health and longevity!
Here’s to THRIVING in perimenopause! 💃