The menopause is a natural phase in a woman’s life that marks the end of reproductive functions. It is characterised by hormonal changes, including a decline in estrogen, progesterone and tesosterone levels. This transition can lead to various physical and emotional symptoms, ranging from hot flashes, night sweats, and mood swings to depression, memory loss, and osteoporosis.
Many people seek hormone replacement therapy (HRT) to treat their menopausal symptoms, but when using generic HRT prescriptions, personal menopausal problems may not be targeted or treated in the most optimal way.
This is where blood testing and analysis can come into play to effectively aid in the diagnosis of menopausal hormone deficiencies and their subsequent symptoms. At Bodyline, we have just launched a brand-new M Plan Blood Testing kit to help women around the UK identify their exact hormonal changes, but how can these tools help women manage the menopause?
How is the Menopause Diagnosed?
The menopause is typically diagnosed based on a woman’s age, her symptoms and the frequency of her menstrual periods over the course of a year. However, blood tests can also be used to provide additional information and confirm the onset of menopause. They also support more effective treatment.
These blood tests are generally used by clinicians to identify changes in hormone levels, but there is so much more information that comes from clinical blood tests when seeking to diagnose and treat the menopause.
What are Blood Tests for the Menopause?
Blood tests for the menopause involve measuring hormone levels in the blood to assess the stage of menopause and evaluate the overall hormonal balance. There are two types of blood tests, those that measure follicle-stimulating hormone levels (FSH) which are the hormones produced in the ovaries, and those that measure luteinising hormones (LH) which are the hormones produced in the pituitary gland.
Blood tests like Bodyline’s new M Plan testing kits, which measures FSH hormones along with vitamin and mineral levels, can help identify specific hormonal imbalances and nutrient deficiencies that may exacerbate and/or contribute to difficult menopausal symptoms.
What are the Benefits of Blood Testing for Menopause Treatment?
Bodyline’s blood test kits for menopause treatment offer many benefits:
- Accurate Diagnosis: Our blood test kits provide objective data on hormone levels and vitamin deficiencies, helping our specialist menopause clinicians and nurses make an accurate diagnosis, thus tailoring your treatment plans accordingly. We tailored the M Plan testing kits to provide analysis based on our own specifications after 17 years of experience in the wellness industry.
- Personalized Treatment: With the results from our blood test kits, we can create personalized treatment plans that address individual hormone imbalances and deficiencies. This ensures that women receive the holistic and tailored hormonal support they need to manage their specific symptoms effectively. We can offer a range of HRT treatments to tackle menopause symptoms, including estrogen, progesterone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and testosterone in the form of gels, creams, and pills. Prescriptions can be titrated and perfected based on reactions.
- Monitoring Progress: Our blood test kits provide a benchmark to base further results from our personalised HRT treatment plans to monitor hormone levels and track the progress of a woman’s menopause treatment. This allows our healthcare professionals to adjust as needed, ensuring optimal results.
- Comprehensive Health Assessment: Bodyline blood test kits also provide insights into overall health by assessing essential vitamins and minerals that may impact hormone symptoms. Identifying potential deficiencies allows for a holistic approach to menopause management e.g. Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Zinc and Magnesium.
- Country-wide Care: Our new ‘home testing kits’ allow us to offer the gold standard M Plan throughout the whole of UK, both to individuals and to employers as they are also available in our corporate plan to offer to menopausal employees and clients as they begin their menopause treatment programmes.
- Expanded Testing: We also offer our testing kits to those under the age of 45 to help in perimenopause diagnoses and treatment plans, setting our holistic and personalised approach apart from public health organisations and their menopause treatment approaches.
With Bodyline’s M Plan blood test kits, women can take control of their menopause treatment journey and receive personalized care that caters to their unique needs.
Contact Bodyline today to find out more about our hormone replacement therapy treatments
How Do Bodyline’s M Plan Blood Tests Work?
Bodyline offers the M Plan Blood Test kits as part of our comprehensive medical wellness program for menopause.
This test has been specifically designed to check 11 biomarkers, both hormones and essential minerals and vitamins and is the first step to see if you are eligible for Hormone Replacement Therapy. The M Plan blood test checks levels of Follicle Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Oestradiol, Progesterone hormone, Free Testosterone, DHEA Sulfate, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, Zinc and Magnesium.
The kit includes the latest technology for easy, pain-free blood collection and a prepaid sample returns box. Results are back within 72 hours from our laboratory receiving them.
If your appointment is taking place in person at one of our 8 clinics around the Northwest, then during the first consultation with a Bodyline specialist menopause nurse, blood samples are taken and sent to an independent laboratory for analysis.
If you are making use of our remote clinical services, then you will be sent your kit in the post following an initial consultation with a Bodyline specialist menopause nurse over video call. The blood samples must be sent off into the post using the prepaid postage label, to independent laboratories for analysis.
The nurse will review and interpret the blood test results before the next consultation. This process allows for a thorough understanding of your hormone levels and menopause symptoms.
What Happens with My Blood Test Results?
Once your blood test results are reviewed, one of our specialist menopause nurses will discuss them with you thoroughly, ensuring you understand what each hormone does and how the results are impacting you. They will confirm your menopause symptoms and develop a personalized M Plan treatment and support plan based on your individual needs. This plan may include hormone replacement prescriptions, vitamin supplements, nutrition advice, exercise recommendations, and lifestyle guidance.
By utilizing blood test results, Bodyline ensures that women receive tailored treatment and ongoing support to manage their menopausal symptoms effectively. Regular monitoring and adjustments are made as needed to optimize the treatment plan and achieve the best possible outcomes.
What Do the Experts Say About Bodyline’s M Plan Blood Test kit?
Bernie Murphy, our Head of Clinical Services has this to say:
“At Bodyline, a woman’s menopause treatment and support plans are typically diagnosed on clinical grounds by understanding her personal symptoms, discussing her medical history, and undertaking hormonal blood tests. These are a means of checking and monitoring the presence and level of menopausal hormones in a woman’s blood. They provide the benchmark that can be beneficial to effectively treat, monitor and modify medical menopause treatments. M-Plan hormone blood tests also combine screening of essential minerals and vitamins which, if a woman is deficient, contribute further to menopause symptoms”
Blood tests play a vital role in managing the menopause by providing accurate diagnosis, personalized treatment, and comprehensive health assessments. Bodyline’s M Plan Blood Tests offer a holistic approach to menopause management, addressing specific hormone imbalances and deficiencies. With the support of healthcare professionals and the valuable information obtained through blood testing, women can navigate the menopause with confidence and well-being.
If you’re interested in learning more about blood tests for menopause management and Bodyline’s comprehensive medical wellness program, contact us today at 0800 995 6036, by email customerservices@bodylineclinic.com or through our website.
