The core tests every woman should know about
Iron and ferritin. Heavy periods, pregnancy and diet make low iron common in women. Ferritin shows when stores are falling, often before anaemia appears on a full blood count.
Thyroid. Thyroid conditions are several times more common in women than in men. TSH and free T4 show how the thyroid is working, and thyroid antibodies show whether an autoimmune cause such as Hashimoto's is likely.
Vitamin D and B12. Both affect energy, mood and bones. Vitamin D is usually lowest in late winter, and B12 can run low on a plant-based diet.
Cholesterol and HbA1c. Heart risk in women rises after the menopause, and HbA1c screens for diabetes and pre-diabetes, including after gestational diabetes.
Liver and kidney function. Silent in the early stages and worth checking as part of any annual review.
Female hormones
Oestradiol, progesterone, FSH, LH, prolactin, testosterone, SHBG and the free androgen index help when periods are irregular or absent, when trying to conceive, or when symptoms such as acne and excess hair suggest PCOS. For women over 45 with typical menopause symptoms, hormone tests are not usually needed to diagnose menopause, because levels swing from day to day. They can still help in younger women or where symptoms are unclear.
What about CA-125?
CA-125 is not a screening test for ovarian cancer in women without symptoms, because it can be raised by many harmless conditions. It is included in some broader checks and is always read alongside symptoms and a clinical assessment.
At Omnia
The Randox Everywoman (92 biomarkers, £313) covers every test above, including progesterone and the free androgen index. If tiredness is the main question, Tired All The Time (£165) is a focused alternative, and our Fertility Panel (£154) is designed for planning a pregnancy. See every test and price.