Menopause and HRT baseline
Private menopause blood test and HRT baseline panel
A bespoke panel for women considering HRT or wanting a defensible clinical baseline. Covers hormonal markers, thyroid, lipids, liver function and the nutritional context any prescribing clinician will want to see. Reviewed by a GMC-registered doctor before booking. One blood draw at 134 Harley Street.
Menopause HRT baseline panel from £375. NICE NG23 aligned.
Quick answer
In women over 45 with typical symptoms, NICE NG23 treats menopause as a clinical diagnosis, a blood test is not required to confirm it. A private menopause blood test is most useful as a baseline before HRT (covering hormones, thyroid, lipids, liver function, ferritin and vitamin D), to exclude thyroid dysfunction that mimics menopause, or to establish a clinical record against which to measure treatment response. A typical HRT baseline panel costs £375 to £450.
Why women book this panel
- Considering HRT and want a defensible clinical baseline before starting. The prescribing clinician will want lipids, liver function, ferritin and vitamin D before initiating transdermal oestradiol.
- Already on HRT and want a documented record of response (or non-response) over time.
- Symptoms that could be thyroid as much as menopause. Private panels add free T4 and antibodies that NHS panels typically do not, alongside the hormonal picture.
- NHS bloods normal but symptoms persist and you want a broader workup with a clinician-led written report.
What is included
A typical menopause HRT baseline panel covers FSH, LH, oestradiol, total testosterone, SHBG, TSH and free T4, liver function tests, lipids, HbA1c, ferritin and vitamin D. The combination gives the prescribing clinician the information they need to discuss benefits, risks and route (transdermal vs oral) honestly.
If you have specific symptoms (hot flushes, sleep disturbance, low libido, mood changes) we may add adrenal markers (cortisol, DHEA-sulfate) or insulin resistance markers (fasting insulin, HbA1c) depending on the picture.
What happens if you want HRT
If your bloodwork, history and symptoms support a case for HRT, our sister service WMG Meds offers a transdermal HRT pathway with our prescribing clinicians. We use the transdermal route as a default for new starts (per NICE NG23 recommendation 1.5.28, which advises considering transdermal rather than oral HRT for people at increased VTE risk, including those with BMI over 30 kg/m²).
Licensed UK options include transdermal oestradiol patches (Estradot, Evorel, FemSeven), gel (Oestrogel, Sandrena), and spray (Lenzetto). In women with an intact uterus, oestrogen must be combined with a progestogen to protect the endometrium, this is a clinical decision made at consultation.
FAQs
Do I need a blood test to be diagnosed with menopause?
No. NICE NG23 specifically advises that in women over 45 with typical menopausal symptoms, menopause is a clinical diagnosis. A blood test is not required for diagnosis. The test is most useful for other reasons: establishing a baseline before HRT, excluding thyroid dysfunction that can mimic menopause, and checking ferritin and vitamin D before any treatment conversation.
What does the menopause HRT baseline panel include?
A typical baseline panel covers FSH, LH, oestradiol, total testosterone, SHBG, TSH and free T4, liver function tests, lipids, HbA1c, ferritin and vitamin D. The liver function and lipid markers matter because they are reviewed when prescribing transdermal HRT. We confirm the exact markers and final price after a clinician reviews your case.
Can I just have an FSH test alone?
You can, but for women over 45 a single FSH adds little to the clinical picture. NICE NG23 explicitly advises against routine FSH testing in this group. If you are under 45 or have suspected premature ovarian insufficiency, FSH is the most useful single hormone marker and a focused panel is appropriate.
When in the day should I be tested?
Morning draws are preferred for the cleanest hormonal picture. If you are still cycling, days 2 to 5 of the cycle give the cleanest FSH and oestradiol baseline. If your cycles have stopped, timing is less critical.
How much does it cost?
A menopause HRT baseline panel typically lands in the £375 to £450 range. We confirm the exact price in writing before booking.
What happens if I want HRT?
If your bloodwork and history support a case for HRT, our sister service WMG Meds offers a transdermal HRT pathway with our prescribing clinicians. The decision is made by the prescribing clinician after full menopause-focused assessment, including contraindication review and a discussion of benefits, risks and monitoring cadence.
Ready to book?
Quote within 1 working day. A GMC-registered doctor designs your panel before you commit.
From £375 · NICE NG23 aligned · Quote within 1 working day