Written by Dr. Adam Patel - Bioidentical Hormone Replacement Therapy Expert - February 22, 2023
Menopause is a natural process which women experience at a certain age. During this time, they undergo physical and emotional changes and some of them can be effectively monitored by performing blood tests. These tests are generally used to understand the levels of hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, that are naturally produced within the body and significantly drop during menopause.
The most common blood test used to diagnose menopause is the Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH) Test. The purpose of this test is to measure the amount of follicle-stimulating hormone present in the body, which is one of the two main hormones responsible for regulating ovulation. Women with elevated levels of FSH often experience early or premature menopause, whereas those with lower levels may experience delayed menopause or even premenstrual syndrome (PMS).
Another important blood test used to gauge if a woman is in menopausal stage is the Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) test. This test measures thyroid function, which helps determine if there is an imbalance in hormone levels due to aging or stress. Abnormal results may indicate that a woman’s hormones may be imbalanced due to menopause or other factors such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).
A third commonly performed blood test for menopausal women is the Estradiol Test. This measures estradiol, which is another form of estrogen produced by the ovaries and helps regulate menstrual cycle and fertility in women. High levels of estradiol suggest that a woman has not yet entered into true post-menopausal stages, while low levels indicate her biology has already begun changing due to age-related decline in ovarian production of this hormone.
In addition to these tests, some doctors may also recommend additional tests depending on factors such as age, symptoms experienced by patient etc., including prolactin level testing, cortisol level testing and testosterone testing among other lab tests specific to particular conditions related to hormonal imbalance.
Overall, it's important for all women approaching their midlife period and beyond - when entering perimenopausal years - to pay attention towards signs and symptoms indicating any form of hormonal imbalance so preventive action can be taken sooner rather than later. To do so you should talk regularly with your doctor about undergoing certain exams such as those described above or consult with specialists like those at BHRT Pro Center - who specialize specifically in treating both pre-and post-menopausal issues caused by hormonal imbalance through individualized treatment plans based on scientific approach relying on lab results and patient history & lifestyle assessment - for more tailored solutions providing better long term results for each individual case.