Blood
Tests

The cost of your blood test includes the £35 phlebotomy charge from my partnered provider here in Cheltenham, the particular tests requested, and a results report. I will contact you to collect payment on receipt on your request. Once I have arranged the test you will be able to book it in at a time and date that suits you. Blood samples are currently taken by Randox within John Lewis in Cheltenham.

Once I have received your results I will review them before sending a copy on to you via email. This is usually within a week of your blood test. If there is anything of clinical concern or that requires review I will bring this to your attention.

Generally speaking, no. If I think that it would be useful, for example in suspected cases of premature ovarian insufficiency, then I will discuss this with you. A blood test is usually required prior to starting testosterone therapy.

Many symptoms of menopause can be caused by other conditions, and vice versa. A broader panel of blood tests can be helpful both to ensure there is no other underlying cause for your symptoms and to help ascertain your general level of health as well as risk in particular areas. I am happy to discuss this during your consultation.

If we agree to start testosterone, I normally recommend checking levels before we start, then at 3 months and annually thereafter to ensure that your dosing remains safe and appropriate.

This is only relevant for blood tests including sex hormones or for testosterone monitoring. If you regularly use oestrogen or testosterone gel, on the morning of your test you should avoid applying this to your arms (applying to your legs is fine). Ensure you wash your hands well to avoid transferring the gel to your arms. If you are using an HRT patch or vaginal oestrogen you don't need to make any changes. It is not useful to measure oestradiol levels when taking oral oestrogen either in the form of HRT or the combined contraceptive pill. You do not need to make changes to your use of progestogen products.

This is not usually necessary, although it can be useful in some situations, for example when assessing cholesterol profiles. If you are fasting for a blood test I recommend arranging your blood draw for as early in the morning as possible.