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When you work with me, it may be necessary to speak with your Doctor about ordering blood tests. It is good to know what you are asking for and why. There are a range of tests that I require in order to get the whole picture of what is happening in your body.

Be open with your Doctor about your struggles and your goals, explain that you are working with other health care practitioners who find this information valuable.  Tell them you are considering supplements under the guidance of a practitioner and having these results help to understand what supplements, if any, to use and to dose accordingly.

It is important that all the tests I ask you to have done are tested, as if some are missed I will not get a full understanding of your body. The testing you are asking for is very basic and you are entitled to that care and investigation. It may be necessary for you to offer to pay for some at your own expense, but your Doctor will be able to order most of them.

When you get  your results back, your Doctor may tell you they are all ‘normal’. It is essential that you still bring them to me, so  I can see your results. I interpret them somewhat differently and look for optimum levels rather than the broad ‘normal’ considered acceptable by medical persons.

When you get your results back, your Doctor may tell you they are all ‘normal’. It is essential that you still bring them to me, so I can see your results. I interpret them somewhat differently and look for optimum levels rather than the broad ‘normal’ considered acceptable by medical persons.

TYPES OF BLOOD TESTS

Below is a list of blood tests I may ask you to have. Please note you may require all or some of these tests.

  • FSH (Follicle Stimulating Hormone)
    The hormone that stimulates follicle growth. tested on day 2 or 3 of your cycle
  • LH (Luteinising Hormone) The hormone that tells the ovary to release the egg. This is tested on day 2 or 3 of your cycle.
  • E2 (oestrogen)
    Thickens the uterine lining and fertile mucus. This is tested on day 2 or 3 of your cycle.
  • Progesterone
    This hormone holds and nourishes pregnancy. It can only be made by the ovary if you ovulate. Must be tested 7 days after ovulation.
  • Prolactin
    The hormone that stimulates milk production. If this hormone is elevated, it may stop ovulation.
  • SHBG
    A protein bound to oestrogen and testosterone.
  • Testosterone
    Produced in small amounts in the ovaries.
  • Thyroid Testing
    TSH, T3, T4, Thyroid antibodies (anti TPO & TgAB).
  • AMH
    Made by your ovarian follicles and may be high in clients with PCOS.
  • Fasting Insulin
    This picks up insulin resistance.
  • Blood count
    This determines the number of blood cells and haemoglobin.
  • Ferritin
    This is your iron stores
  • Vitamin D
    This regulates hormone and immune function
  • Zinc
    This nourishes the follicles and helps ovulation and progesterone. It is essential in making and transporting hormones.
  • Platelets
    The blood cells to stop bleeding.
  • Hb (Hemoglobin)
    The protein that contains iron

When testing for thyroid we need all the tests, not just the TSH. TSH is a hormone from the pituitary that stimulates the thyroid. Your TSH can be within normal range, but the other thyroid markers may be out of range. It is important that we get the entire picture to rule out thyroid involvement.

Glossary

  • Follicle (ovarian follicle) the sac that contains an egg.
  • Day 1 of your cycle is the first day of your normal proper menstrual flow. So, if you get your period at lunch time or in the evening, day one is the next day.
  • Insulin resistance is a disorder of metabolism causing high levels of insulin.