Pre-conception and fertility
Pre-conception and fertility blood test in London
A bespoke panel covering the nutritional, hormonal, thyroid and immunity markers UK pre-conception guidance recommends checking before trying to conceive. Reviewed by a GMC-registered doctor before booking. Anchored to NHS pre-conception advice and the UK Green Book immunity chapters. One blood draw at 134 Harley Street.
Pre-conception panel from £295.
Quick answer
A pre-conception blood test typically covers folate, vitamin B12, vitamin D, ferritin (iron stores), TSH and free T4 (thyroid function), HbA1c (diabetes risk in pregnancy), and immunity status for rubella, varicella (chickenpox) and hepatitis B per the UK Green Book. AMH and FSH may be added when characterising ovarian reserve in women trying to conceive. NHS pre-conception guidance recommends 400 micrograms folic acid daily before conception and through the first 12 weeks of pregnancy.
What is included
- Folate, vitamin B12, vitamin D: NHS recommends folic acid 400 micrograms daily before conception and through the first 12 weeks. We confirm baseline status and identify any deficiency to address.
- Ferritin and iron studies: heavy or irregular bleeding before conception can deplete iron stores. Pregnancy demand increases iron requirements significantly.
- TSH and free T4: uncorrected hypothyroidism increases miscarriage and preterm risk. Subclinical hypothyroidism is more common than recognised.
- HbA1c: pregnancy increases the risk of gestational diabetes; a pre-conception baseline is useful, particularly for women with a family history of type 2 diabetes.
- Rubella, varicella and hepatitis B immunity: per UK Green Book Chapters 28, 34 and 18. Non-immune women planning pregnancy should be offered MMR (rubella) or varicella vaccination at least 1 month before trying to conceive (these are live vaccines).
- AMH and FSH (where indicated): in women trying to conceive who want to characterise ovarian reserve. Most useful in women over 35 or with cycle irregularity.
Why pre-conception bloods matter
The 3 to 6 months before conception is the most cost-effective time to address modifiable factors. Folate replete reduces the risk of neural tube defects. Iron replete reduces fatigue and improves pregnancy reserve. Thyroid optimisation reduces miscarriage risk. Immunity check identifies women who would benefit from MMR or varicella vaccination before pregnancy (these are live vaccines that should not be given during pregnancy).
The panel is also reassuring: most women come back fully replete and immune, which is a useful starting baseline for what follows.
FAQs
When should I get pre-conception bloods?
NHS pre-conception guidance recommends starting 400 micrograms folic acid daily before conception and through the first 12 weeks of pregnancy, and checking rubella, varicella and hepatitis B immunity status. A pre-conception bloods workup is most useful in the 3 to 6 months before trying to conceive, so any identified deficiency or non-immunity has time to be addressed (immunisation if needed, folate replete, thyroid optimised, iron replete).
What does the panel typically include?
A typical pre-conception panel covers folate, vitamin B12, vitamin D, ferritin (iron stores), TSH and free T4 (thyroid function, particularly relevant in pregnancy), HbA1c (pregnancy increases diabetes risk), and immunity markers for rubella, varicella (chickenpox) and hepatitis B per the UK Green Book chapters. In women under 35 trying to conceive, AMH (anti-Müllerian hormone, where available) and FSH on cycle day 2-5 are sometimes added to characterise ovarian reserve.
How much does it cost?
A standard pre-conception panel typically costs £295 to £395 depending on which AMH, fertility-axis and immunity markers are included. We confirm the exact price in writing before booking.
What if I am already pregnant?
NHS antenatal care covers the routine pregnancy bloods. Private testing in early pregnancy is most useful for non-routine markers (TSH for women with a history of thyroid disease, ferritin for women with a history of heavy menstrual bleeding before conception) and for women who want additional reassurance alongside their NHS care. We work alongside your NHS antenatal team, not in place of it.
What about my partner?
For couples investigating subfertility, we can design a male partner panel covering total testosterone, SHBG, calculated free testosterone, LH, FSH, prolactin, and full blood count alongside the standard nutritional and thyroid markers. This is most useful when there is an existing fertility concern or unexplained subfertility.
Ready to book?
Same-day appointments at 134 Harley Street usually available. A GMC-registered doctor designs your panel and confirms the price before booking.