Why we order the tests we order
Not every test applies to every woman. This is a reference for what is typically considered through the menopause transition and what each one is actually looking for — so you know why a panel was ordered, and what a result would change.
What we order, and what it connects to
General and blood health
| Test | What it connects to |
|---|---|
| Haemoglobin and ferritin | Low ferritin causes fatigue and leg cramps even when haemoglobin is normal. |
| Liver and kidney function | Silent strain can make medicines, supplements or HRT unsafe. |
| Urine routine and culture | Picks up early diabetes or a hidden urinary infection. |
Hormones and thyroid
| Test | What it connects to |
|---|---|
| TSH, T3, T4 | Thyroid disease mimics menopause closely — fatigue, mood swings, weight gain. |
| FSH, LH, estradiol, testosterone | Clarifies the menopausal stage; low testosterone can explain low libido and poor muscle tone. |
Sugar and metabolic health
| Test | What it connects to |
|---|---|
| Fasting glucose, HbA1c | Menopause accelerates diabetes risk. |
| HOMA-IR, 2-hour glucose (75g load) | Detects insulin resistance years before diabetes develops. |
Heart and inflammation
| Test | What it connects to |
|---|---|
| Lipid profile and apolipoprotein A | Estrogen's natural heart protection fades after menopause. |
| hs-CRP, homocysteine | Low-grade inflammation, and stroke and dementia risk markers. |
Bone and vitamins
| Test | What it connects to |
|---|---|
| DEXA scan | Up to 20% of bone mass can be lost in the first five years after menopause — usually silently. |
| Vitamin D, magnesium, B12 | Support bone, sleep, mood and energy. |
Reproductive and cancer screening
| Test | What it connects to |
|---|---|
| Pap smear | Still essential after menopause. |
| Transvaginal ultrasound | Picks up polyps, fibroids or endometrial thickening. |
| Mammography (age 40+) | Detects cancers years before a lump can be felt. |
Which of these apply to you depends on your symptoms and history. If you are unsure, send your details below and the clinic will confirm the list — or bring your symptom quiz result to a consultation and work through it there.
Book your slot for investigations
Already know which tests you need? Send your details and a team member will contact you to schedule.
Risk calculators used in consultations
ASCVD and QRISK3
- ASCVD Risk Estimator Plus — widely used, but validated mainly on white and Black American cohorts.
- QRISK3 — includes a built-in South Asian ancestry adjustment (roughly 1.3–1.7×) that ASCVD does not.
Standard calculators tend to underestimate cardiovascular risk in South Asian women. Treat an ASCVD result as a floor, not a ceiling.
US MEC 2024
Perimenopause is not contraception. The US Medical Eligibility Criteria are what clinicians use to match a method to your medical history.
Open US MEC 2024Weight, waist and metabolic screening are covered on the diet, exercise and lifestyle page, which includes a BMI and waist-circumference check.
Frequently asked
Can a blood test confirm menopause?
Not on its own during perimenopause. FSH and estradiol fluctuate day to day, so a single reading can look normal in a woman with clear symptoms. Blood tests are most useful for staging the transition and for ruling out thyroid disease, anaemia and diabetes, which mimic menopausal symptoms closely.
Which tests should I do before starting HRT?
Typically a baseline that covers thyroid function, blood counts and ferritin, liver and kidney function, fasting glucose or HbA1c, a lipid profile, and up-to-date breast and cervical screening. The exact list depends on your history — the clinic confirms it for you.
When should I get a DEXA bone scan?
A DEXA scan is considered around the menopause transition and earlier if you have risk factors such as premature menopause, steroid use, a low body weight, a fracture history or a family history of osteoporosis. Up to 20% of bone mass can be lost in the first five years after menopause, usually silently.
Bring your symptoms. Leave with a plan.
Consultations with Dr. Rajeev Agarwal at Renew Healthcare, Kolkata — in person or virtual. If you have taken the symptom quiz, bring your result: it gives the consultation a running start.
A note on this section. Everything here is general educational information about perimenopause and menopause. It is not a diagnosis and does not replace individualised medical advice — please discuss your own symptoms, history and options with Dr. Agarwal or your own physician before making any treatment decision.