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Concierge menopause care · UK

Menopause blood panel - when the numbers actually help.

FSH, LH, oestradiol and thyroid - plus a proper conversation. In the UK, menopause diagnosis is symptom-led over age 45 (per NICE NG23), so we test only when the result would actually change the plan.

A radiographer guides a patient onto the bed of an advanced 3 Tesla MRI scanner in a London imaging suite

Why patients choose us

  • 01

    UK consultant sign-off

    Every panel is signed off by a UKMLA-registered clinician - not a generic "results letter" with a company logo.

  • 02

    A conversation, not a PDF

    You get a proper clinician call to walk through the results and next steps, included in every price we quote.

  • 03

    Independent, and free

    We take no fee from providers. The recommendation is impartial and costs you nothing.

Indicative pricing

What a private menopause blood panel costs in the UK.

Indicative ranges across our partner blood test units. Send the details and we quote firm figures across two or three options, with cover checked.

In short

Menopause panel in our network: £80–£250, result in 24–72 hours.

Procedure Indicative range
FSH + oestradiol £80–£150
Full menopause panel (FSH, LH, oestradiol, TSH) £150–£250
Extended (adds testosterone, SHBG, prolactin) £200–£350
Menopause consultation only £200–£400
Consultation + full panel + review call £400–£650
DEXA add-on (bone baseline) £150–£250

Prices vary by which hormones are included and whether a specialist consultation is bundled. We often recommend consultation first, then targeted bloods only if they change the plan.

The problem

Over 45, UK guidance says symptoms - not FSH - diagnose menopause.

NICE NG23 makes the point plainly: in women over 45, symptoms are enough to diagnose perimenopause and menopause. FSH fluctuates and misleads. We use bloods when they help - and skip them when they don’t.

  • Under 45 is different

    Under 45 or 40, FSH is useful for diagnosing premature menopause or POI.

  • Thyroid overlaps with menopause

    TSH ± free T4 rules in or out thyroid disease that mimics menopause.

  • HRT decisions are symptom-led

    A useful panel changes the HRT plan; a random panel adds numbers, not clarity.

The journey

From enquiry to recovery - what happens, in order.

One team from first message through operation, histology and follow-up.

  1. 01

    Before

    Symptoms first

    Hot flushes, sleep, mood, cycle change, cognitive symptoms.

  2. 02

    Before

    Specialist call

    A UK menopause specialist decides which bloods (if any) will actually help.

  3. 03

    Before

    Timing the draw

    Cycle day 2–5 if still bleeding, morning where possible.

  4. 04

    On the day

    Blood draw

    One blood draw at our clinic. No fasting needed.

  5. 05

    After

    Lab turnaround

    Results back in 24–72 hours from a UKAS lab.

  6. 06

    After

    Result review call

    A specialist walks you through the numbers and the recommended plan.

  7. 07

    After

    HRT plan if indicated

    Prescription, delivery route (patch, gel, oral) and follow-up interval.

Typical end-to-end: 1–2 weeks from enquiry to reported scan.

When it helps

When a menopause blood panel is the right step.

Situations where bloods change the plan - and where they don’t.

  • Under 40 with menopausal symptoms

    Suspected primary ovarian insufficiency - repeat FSH 4–6 weeks apart.

  • Under 45 with irregular cycles

    FSH and oestradiol help confirm early menopause.

  • Thyroid symptoms alongside menopause

    TSH ± free T4 clarifies overlap.

  • Testosterone deficiency symptoms

    Low libido, poor sleep, energy - testosterone with SHBG.

  • HRT tailoring

    Occasionally used to guide dose and delivery route.

  • Post-hysterectomy without bleeding cues

    Bloods substitute for cycle history in defined windows.

  • Contraception decisions in your late 40s

    FSH occasionally used to guide when to stop contraception.

  • Red flag: postmenopausal bleeding

    Any bleeding after 12 months without periods needs urgent gynaecology, not a blood test.

Procedure options

What can be included in the panel.

The useful markers, and the ones we skip.

  • FSH

    Rises as ovarian reserve falls. Diagnostic for menopause under 45 (repeated).

  • LH

    Rises with menopause; less commonly needed than FSH.

  • Oestradiol

    Falls with menopause. Useful alongside FSH and to titrate HRT.

  • TSH ± free T4

    Excludes thyroid disease that mimics menopause.

  • Testosterone + SHBG

    Where low-libido or energy symptoms suggest androgen deficiency.

  • Progesterone

    Occasionally used to confirm ovulation.

  • Prolactin

    Excludes prolactinoma when cycles are erratic.

  • AMH

    Ovarian reserve - more useful in fertility questions than in menopause diagnosis.

Our vetted UK network

A small panel of menopause specialists, we picked them.

Consultant menopause specialists across London and the major UK cities. Introductions are made privately, once we understand your case.

Selection criteria

How we choose every consultant in our network.

A modern UK operating theatre
Consultant-led care
  • CQC-registered clinics and pathology partners across the UK

  • UK GMC-registered consultants signing off every report

  • UKAS-accredited pathology labs for every blood test

  • Insurer preauth handling for Bupa, AXA, Vitality, Aviva, WPA and Cigna

Safety and recovery

What to expect afterwards - honestly.

The safety profile is well understood. What matters is choosing the right test, and reading the report honestly.

  • A blood draw is safe

    Standard venepuncture. Bruising and vasovagal are the main issues.

  • Timing matters

    Cycle day 2–5 if still bleeding; morning where possible.

  • Combined pill confounds FSH

    Stop the pill for 6 weeks before an FSH result you plan to act on.

  • Single value ≠ diagnosis

    FSH swings. Under 45, repeat 4–6 weeks apart before acting.

  • Symptoms remain the primary tool

    Over 45, symptoms diagnose menopause per NICE NG23.

  • HRT is safer than the reputation

    Modern transdermal HRT has favourable safety data in most women without contraindications.

  • Bone and cardiovascular baseline

    DEXA and lipids/blood pressure often deserve inclusion at menopause.

  • Repeat testing

    Only where a specific result will change management.

  • When to escalate

    Postmenopausal bleeding, severe pelvic pain or new breast lump - same-day specialist care.

Reading your operation note

Your operation note in four parts. Read the last one first.

Whichever centre does the scan, the report keeps to the same shape.

A UK consultant reviewing operation notes

A quiet reminder

Surgical language is precise and can read coldly - we translate it for you.

If you would like us to talk you through the operation note and any histology before your review, just ask.

  1. 01 Header

    Panel and timing

    Which hormones, cycle day, sample time.

  2. 02 Findings

    Hormone values with reference ranges

    Every result reported plainly with interpretation.

  3. 03 Context

    Symptoms and history

    How the numbers align with your reported symptoms.

  4. 04 Impression

    Diagnosis and plan

    Read this first - perimenopause vs menopause, HRT recommendation, follow-up interval.

Recognised by major UK insurers

BupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealixBupaAXA HealthVitalityAvivaWPACignaHealix

Screening menopause bloods in a well woman are usually self-pay. Investigation of specific symptoms (POI under 40, thyroid disease) is often covered by UK PMI with a referral.

Frequently asked

Everything we get asked about menopause blood panel.

Quick answers on approach, recovery, risks and cost.

  • Do I need a blood test to diagnose menopause?

    Over 45, no - UK NICE NG23 says symptoms are enough. Under 45, FSH and oestradiol are helpful, especially under 40 where they can confirm premature menopause.

  • What is in a menopause blood panel?

    Usually FSH, LH, oestradiol and TSH. Sometimes testosterone, SHBG, prolactin, progesterone and AMH depending on the question.

  • How much does a menopause blood panel cost in the UK?

    £80–£150 for FSH and oestradiol; £150–£250 for a full panel; £400–£650 for a specialist consultation plus panel plus review call.

  • When should I time the bloods?

    Cycle day 2–5 if you’re still bleeding, morning where possible. If on the combined pill, stop it for 6 weeks before FSH if timing matters.

  • Can bloods tell me if HRT is working?

    Sometimes - oestradiol can be measured on transdermal HRT to check absorption. Most decisions remain symptom-led.

  • Is the panel covered by insurance?

    Screening bloods in a well person are usually self-pay. Investigation of specific symptoms (POI under 40, thyroid dysfunction) is often covered with a referral.

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Send us your enquiry

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So we can match you to the right clinician close to you.

We reply to every enquiry within 24 hours (Mon–Fri). Confidential - your details are never shared outside our vetted consultant network.