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Five-marker menopause panel measuring FSH, LH, oestradiol, testosterone, and SHBG as a baseline or monitoring assessment for post-menopausal women.
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A five-marker menopause panel measuring FSH, LH, oestradiol, testosterone, and SHBG.
After menopause, the hormonal landscape shifts significantly: FSH and LH remain chronically elevated as the pituitary continues signalling ovaries that are no longer responding. Oestradiol falls to low post-menopausal levels. Testosterone declines more gradually but continues to fall. SHBG, influenced by oestrogen status, age, and body composition, determines how much remaining testosterone is biologically active.
The Essential Menopause Check captures these five key markers as a baseline or monitoring panel for post-menopausal women. It is particularly useful for women who:
– Have recently stopped hormonal contraception and want to confirm natural menopause
– Are on HRT and want to understand their hormone environment alongside treatment
– Are experiencing symptoms they attribute to hormone changes and want objective data
– Are being assessed for testosterone replacement for low libido
Venous draw required. GMC-physician reviewed results within 3 to 5 working days.
Understand what each marker measures, why it matters, and what the science says — not just a list of numbers.
Chronically elevated in post-menopause; FSH above 40 IU/L on two tests confirms menopause in women under 50.
Also elevated in post-menopause as the pituitary continues signalling non-responsive ovaries.
Falls to very low post-menopausal levels; the primary oestrogen target in HRT monitoring.
Declines gradually through menopause; influences libido, energy, and muscle mass in post-menopausal women.
Controls bioavailability of remaining testosterone; important context for free testosterone calculation.
This panel is designed for adults who want a comprehensive, evidence-based picture of their metabolic health — not a GP referral panel.
Post-menopausal women wanting a hormone baseline or monitoring panel
Women recently off hormonal contraception confirming natural menopause
Those on HRT who want to understand their hormone environment
Women investigating low libido and considering testosterone replacement
In women on HRT, oestradiol levels reflect both endogenous production and the type and dose of exogenous oestrogen used — interpretation requires knowledge of HRT regimen. FSH and LH are suppressed by oestrogen-containing HRT and cannot be used to confirm menopausal status in women currently taking systemic oestrogen. Testosterone is measured at very low concentrations in post-menopausal women and requires a highly sensitive LC-MS/MS assay, which Trupoint Health's UKAS-accredited laboratory uses as standard. SHBG can be elevated by oral oestrogen (but not transdermal), which reduces free testosterone; route of administration matters significantly in interpretation.
From order to physician-reviewed report in as little as three working days.
Three options designed to fit your schedule, location, and preference — all producing a laboratory-standard sample.
Adults 18+ in mainland UK. Not suitable if you have had a transfusion in the last 3 months.
Order anytime; kit dispatched within 24 hours Mon–Fri.
Allow 24–48 hours for sample transit on top of lab processing time.
Adults 18+ within 20 miles of a serviced city centre.
Mon–Sun, 06:00–20:00. Next-day booking typical.
Sample reaches the lab within 24 hours of collection.
Adults 16+ with photo ID. Paediatric draws by appointment at selected sites.
Mon–Fri, with Saturday hours at most metropolitan locations.
Samples processed same-day at the receiving clinic.
Every test is processed in a UKAS ISO 15189-accredited laboratory, overseen by GMC-registered physicians, and governed by UK GDPR. No overseas processing, no offshore data.
Follow these guidelines to ensure accurate, reproducible results. Most markers are sensitive to recent food, exercise, and sleep.
Can't find your answer? Our clinical support team is available Monday to Friday, 9am–5pm.
Contact supportIn women aged 45 and over, NICE guidelines state that menopause is a clinical diagnosis based on the absence of periods for 12 consecutive months, and blood tests are not required to start HRT. For women under 45, testing is important to distinguish premature ovarian insufficiency (POI) from other causes of amenorrhoea. For women aged 40 to 45, testing can provide useful supporting evidence. This panel is most valuable as a baseline for monitoring, understanding symptoms, and informing HRT discussions rather than as a definitive diagnostic test.
Yes, with important caveats. Systemic oestrogen (oral or transdermal) will lower FSH and LH — they can no longer be used as menopausal status markers. Oestradiol will reflect both endogenous production and absorbed HRT oestrogen; the level depends on the type, dose, and route. Oral oestrogen raises SHBG significantly, which lowers free testosterone — this is why some women on oral HRT have persistent low libido. Transdermal oestrogen does not affect SHBG to the same degree. Your physician report will interpret results accounting for your HRT details.
Post-menopausal libido decline results from multiple converging factors. Testosterone falls gradually through menopause, reducing the drive for sexual interest and activity. Oestrogen deficiency causes vaginal dryness and atrophy, making sex physically uncomfortable. Psychological factors — including mood changes, fatigue, relationship dynamics, and body image — also play significant roles. Hormonal contributors (particularly low testosterone) are identifiable and addressable: testosterone replacement therapy is a licenced option in the UK for post-menopausal women with hypoactive sexual desire disorder, and the data on its safety and efficacy are strong.
FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) rises as the ovaries become less responsive and produce less oestrogen. The pituitary gland compensates by releasing more FSH in an attempt to stimulate follicle development — but after menopause, no follicles remain to respond. An FSH consistently above 40 IU/L on two tests at least 4 to 6 weeks apart, in a woman who has not had a period for 12 months, is consistent with post-menopause. This measurement can be important for women who are unsure whether they have reached menopause, particularly those who had a hysterectomy (and thus no periods to track) but retain their ovaries.
The route of HRT administration matters significantly for hormone levels. Oral oestrogen is absorbed through the gut and processed by the liver before entering systemic circulation — this first-pass effect raises SHBG, triglycerides, and clotting factors, and can lower free testosterone. Transdermal oestrogen (patches, gels, sprays) bypasses the liver, producing a more physiological oestradiol level without the same SHBG-raising effect. For women on transdermal HRT, SHBG is lower and free testosterone is therefore higher — often with better libido outcomes. This distinction is important when interpreting this panel’s results.
Yes. These results provide objective data that can support informed HRT discussions. If you are not yet on HRT and your results confirm post-menopausal hormone levels alongside significant symptoms, your GP can assess whether HRT is appropriate for you. If you are already on HRT and your oestradiol is very low or your free testosterone is low, your prescriber may consider adjusting your regimen. Trupoint Health’s physician report provides clear clinical commentary to support these conversations.
