The 10 Most Important Blood Tests for Women
Simple blood tests - which you can order through your physician, naturopath, or nutritionist - can tell you so much about the state of your health and wellbeing. They can evaluate how well different organs and body systems are functioning, screen for disorders and risks, and identify nutrient deficiencies.
Our bodies are complex systems, and the path to optimal health is not always clearcut. Blood tests give us insight into the inner workings of the body that can be profoundly illuminating. If you’re aiming to understand your body a bit more, learn about any major imbalances, and achieve peak wellness, read on to learn how blood testing can support you.
Hematology
Total Iron Binding Capacity
Serum Iron
Serum Ferritin
Fecal Occult Blood Test
This test evaluates the overall health of the blood, evaluating any signs of anemia, bleeding, red blood cell destruction, leukemia, and malnutrition. Low iron levels are quite common in women due to blood loss from menstruation and can result in symptoms of fatigue and weakness due to the blood’s reduced oxygen-carrying capacity.
2. Thyroid
TSH
Free T4
Free T3
Anti-Thyroid Antibodies
Antimicrosomal Antibodies
Thyroid dysfunction has become quite common among women and can be experienced through many symptoms such as weight gain, weight loss, intolerance to cold, muscle weakness, brittle hair and nails, fast heartbeat, irregular menstrual cycles, and hair thinning. The thyroid is responsible for metabolic rate, oxygen consumption, energy, and heat production, and affects the entire body. Many people are unaware that they have thyroid issues because doctors rarely do all the tests necessary - they usually only screen for TSH, which doesn’t always catch thyroid abnormalities. A complete thyroid panel is a good idea, especially if you experience many of the symptoms above.
3. Vitamin D
25-Hydroxy
Important for all body functions, including immune function, mood, and bone health, vitamin D is often deficient in people living in northern hemispheres if not supplemented. Deficiency has been linked to osteoporosis, autoimmune disorders, and inflammation.
4. Hormone Panel
Progesterone
Estrogen
LH
FSH
These tests determine any hormonal deficiencies or excesses and evaluate your overall hormonal status. They can help indicate the status of fertility, menopause, metabolism, and thyroid and adrenal function. Many women experience symptoms with menopause and hormone-related issues like PCOS, PMS, and endometriosis that are often due to low progesterone or high estrogen levels. Discovering the root cause can lead you to healing these imbalances.
5. Complete Blood Count
This test evaluates red and white blood cells and platelets in order to determine general health status. It can inform on immune function, infections, blood disorders, deficiencies, and more. It measures several components of the blood including hematocrit, red blood cells, white blood cells, platelets, and hemoglobin.
6. Lipid Panel
TC
HDL
LDL
TC/DHL Ratio
TG
A lipid panel evaluates cholesterol blood levels and fats used as energy by the body. This can be useful in assessing the risk of cardiovascular-related diseases.
7. Homocysteine
Serum Homocysteine
An amino acid produced by the body and formed from protein metabolism, homocysteine levels can tell us a lot about our health. High levels of homocysteine have been linked to increased risk of cardiovascular disease, blood clotting, Alzheimer's, strokes, bone fracture, and poor cognitive function. Checking your blood levels gives a good indication of overall levels of oxidative stress, your risk for any of these conditions, and if you have a deficiency in B vitamins or folic acid. Causes can be nutrient deficiencies (vitamin B6, B12, and folic acid), low thyroid hormones, or kidney disease. Elevated homocysteine levels have also been associated with pregnancy complications.
8. Blood Glucose
Fasting Plasma Glucose
HbA1c
Random Plasma Glucose
This test measures your levels of glucose (sugar) in your blood. This can be an indication of pre-diabetes or diabetes. Diabetes is becoming an epidemic due to the highly refined American diet, which is generally void of nutrients and whole foods. Diabetes can lead to serious diseases such as cardiovascular disease, hypertension, depression, and autoimmune disorders. Unstable blood sugar levels can negatively impact hormonal health, fertility, inflammation, blood pressure, and contribute to weight gain.
9. C-Reactive Protein
This is an important marker of inflammation in the body and a predictor of cardiovascular disease. It’s a good test to use to prevent future cardiac problems because it picks up low levels of vascular inflammation.
4.4: average CVD risk
Aim for < 4
10. Liver Function Tests
ALT
AST
GGT
ALP
Total Bilirubin
Direct Bilirubin
Liver function is crucial for proper elimination and detoxification. Signs of dysfunction include nausea, fatigue, abdominal pain, liver tenderness, and changes in feces or urine color.
Blood tests can uncover answers to your health issues and shed light on the root causes of imbalances, plus how to address them. *Talk to a nutritionist or health care practitioner about which tests might be most beneficial for you & for help digesting and comprehending test results.