FDX Femme Ultra
The best Female MOT sort of test available IMHO. You can see details of the test here: Femme Ultra with a list of add-ons if you require them - ask me to confirm the price. Personally, I think you could benefit from adding the Cancer Markers 1, 6:3 fatty acids balance and a more comprehensive thyroid screen with Reverse T3 and T3 Uptake and Thyroid Antibodies, especially if you are fatigued, so I've added that as an option in case (it's what I did for myself recently now I am in my late 50s, arrgh!). You can add on other tests for 30 days after having had the test done using the same sample, as they save it.
FDX, Functional Diagnostics Lab, offers some really brilliant detailed panels with fantastic reports. The tests give optimal ranges of nutrients but also a shed-load more interpretation using the lab results as indicators and predictors of problems instead of just giving you a baffling set of numbers. Samples returned to the lab by courier, which is included. Blood needs to be centrifuged so please check you have a local phlebotomist who can do that before ordering. Test instructions are here. And here's a leaflet about the report you get. Blood draw locations can be found here and I have put loads more on the FAQ here. Note: ALL tube labels must be labelled with the client's full details. Minimum requirements are full name and DOB. Results are usually back to me within 3 weeks and I will email them to you with some thoughts if appropriate.
I truly wish more women would have this test done! Just make sure you do FDX tests within 90 days or they can charge an admin fee and they charge cancellation fees after 45 days of up to the full price, so only order if you are going to do it within the timeframe and not change your mind!
I've also listed the FDX Femme Essential + as a cut down version of the main profile - still great as a good look at female health, and it doesn't need centrifuging.
Any questions, please don't contact FDX direct; they will only deal with practitioners. You can see their FAQ here.
Don't forget: you will need to budget for phlebotomy services.
Viva General Well Woman Profiles
These are great all-round blood panels if you need something simpler than the FDX test or can't stretch to it. These are the best I have found for value and the markers included. Remember you will need to have blood taken - check the FAQ for how. See below, too, for how to measure hormones at carious stages of life.
VHL7 - General Well Woman Profile Y Y P B |
Full Blood Count |
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate |
Urea and Electrolyte Panel (NA, K, CL, UREA, CREA, CO2, eGFR) |
Liver Panel (TBIL, ALT, AST, ALP, TP, ALB, GGT, GLOB) |
Heart Panel (LDH, CK) |
Bone Panel (CA, ALB, CCA, PHOS, UA) |
Thyroid Panel (FT3, FT4, TSH) |
Vitamin D (25-OH) |
Ferritin |
VHL7L - General Well Woman Profile + Lipids Y Y P B |
Lipid Panel (CHOL, HDL, LDL, NHDL, TRIG, CHR) |
VHL8 - Senior Female Profile Y Y P B |
Full Blood Count |
Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate |
Urea and Electrolyte Panel (NA, K, CL, UREA, CREA, CO2, eGFR) |
Liver Panel (TBIL, ALT, AST, ALP, TP, ALB, GGT, GLOB) |
Heart Panel (LDH, CK) |
Bone Panel (CA, ALB, CCA, PHOS, UA) |
Lipid Panel (CHOL, HDL, LDL, NHDL, TRIG, CHR) |
Thyroid Panel (FT3, FT4, TSH) |
Vitamin D (25-OH) |
Ferritin |
Glycated Haemoglobin |
VHL16 - Female Hormone Health Profile Y You can add this on to any of the above Viva Profiles or have it done separately. |
Thyroid Panel (FT3, FT4, TSH) |
Follicle-Stimulating Hormone |
Luteinizing Hormone |
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin |
Oestradiol |
Progesterone |
Testosterone |
Prolactin |
Hormone Tests
Genova do several really useful hormone tests here. You can see all sample reports and collection instructions there - some are saliva or urine, so not always blood. You can order here or direct via Genova using my code A42RS
To check your cycle, use the Rhythm test.
To check your cycle and adrenal health (often the reason hormones are messing about esp after 40), use the Rhythm Plus.
For peri-menopause, use the Viva Female Health Profile above as it has FSG and LH in it.
For menopause, use a One Day Hormone Check or Menopause Plus.
For overall metabolism of hormones, use a DUTCH test. You can order that here or direct using this link.
For thyroid, use the Thyroid Plus.
For DUTCH tests: Here are the DUTCH Collection Instructions as a PDF and here is a series of videos if you are more complex cycle-wise or on meds/supplements. If your cycles are long, short or irregular, see the extra guidelines here.
If you are on HRT, check if the DUTCH is viable or not for you here; it depends on the form you are taking. Note the Mirena coil contains synthetic progesterone which is not detected by the DUTCH tests; everything else is tested fine but don’t rely on it to show progesterone correctly. Samples are returned to the UK lab and drop-shipped to the US for you. Any questions, check the DUTCH website, their FAQ is very useful. Note that if you mess up your samples, a new test kit costs a further amount – about £12 currently – so just be aware of that.
Genova has a Guide to which samples are best for which hormones here.
If you have erratic cycles or find it difficult to track your cycle/see when you're in the luteal phase - the best time to test if having periods - try using ovulation sticks. They don’t have to be the fancy digital ones. Use one a day. Count seven days after the paper first changes colour and do your test then - that's when you will be in the luteal phase. Clever huh? The lab taught me that one :)
You can read more on Hormone Testing here.