Bloodwork: Why it is crucial to know your bloodwork for your health as a woman
Learn how knowing your levels in your bloodwork empowers you to make informed decisions for your health, and is a powerful guide for your care.
Your blood work results provide a window into not just your hormonal health but your overall health as a woman.
When you pair your blood results with the symptoms you’re experiencing, you have two powerful guideposts to set you on the right path to healing and good health.
Honor Your Bio-Individuality
I’ve said it a million times, and I’ll say it a million more: Health, healing, and care aren’t a one-size-fits-all kind of thing. Yes, women have biological commonalities, but we are all unique.
This is especially true regarding:
Hormonal levels
Vitamin and mineral insufficiencies/deficiencies
How your body responds to the food you eat
How your body responds to your environment
How stress impacts your health
The Mindset Behind Knowing Your Blood Work
There’s every chance that you’re experiencing the same symptoms as another woman. But that doesn’t mean those symptoms come from the same root cause. Testing bridges the gap between your symptoms and the care you actually need.
Carry this mindset as you work with medical professionals. When they assess your symptoms and offer a diagnosis, it’s worth asking, “Is there a blood test you can order to confirm your conclusion of my symptoms so we know we are treating the right thing?”
No matter the answer you receive from them, do your own research to make an informed decision.
Working with Medical Professionals
Different doctors will have different mindsets about what tests are “relevant,” “needed,” or “helpful.”
Because of this, it can be difficult to directly request a specific blood test with a medical professional.
Not all doctors have the same level of experience when it comes to blood work testing and women’s health. Some may not know what test to even run — and some may not have the knowledge needed to read the results and make informed care recommendations.
I’ve also noticed some doctors don’t feel comfortable acknowledging their lack of experience, which can translate into dismissal. I’ve experienced this myself, even when I came in prepared with research to back my request for a test.
So what can you do?
Making Your Request for Blood Work
First, if you plan to request blood tests from your doctor, do your own research ahead of time so you can advocate for yourself.
Let your medical professional know that you’re requesting blood work based on the symptoms you’re experiencing, how long you’ve been experiencing them, and the research you’ve conducted.
In short, share what you’ve learned with your doctor. Share your logic with them. Share your desire to identify the best next steps for you to care for the root cause and achieve a long-term solution. Ideally, your request in and of itself should be enough; however, it isn’t always — so be ready to express your why.
If your doctor honors your request for specific blood work — and if both you and your doctor are confident in their knowledge to explore your results with you — go for it! This option gives you full insurance coverage if you have medical care insurance.
If your doctor denies your request, ask that they annotate their denial and their reason in your medical record for an accurate representation of your medical care.
And, if it comes down to it, try exploring other options.
Consider Naturopathic Doctors or Doctors of Acupuncture & Chinese Medicine
If you plan to explore other ways to receive the care you need, know you have options! There are excellent naturopathic doctors (NDs) and doctors of acupuncture and Chinese medicine (DACMs) who specialize in women’s health and education. These doctors approach women’s health with the intention of supporting you, getting to the root cause of your symptoms, and honoring your requests.
There are two routes you can go when working with NDs and DACMs:
If your primary doctor honors your request for blood work, but you aren’t confident in their ability to read your results, consider working with an ND or DACM to read your results with you and recommend care.
If your doctor denies your request for blood work, consider the full scope of care with an ND or DACM.
An Important Note: NDs and DACMs may not accept your insurance. If you intend to work with one, let them know what is financially accessible to you. Communicating your budget as soon as possible will help them prioritize your care and find the right balance that works for you (e.g., working with both your primary doctor and the ND or DACM, as mentioned in option 1 above, could minimize out-of-pocket costs).
Including Your Blood Work in Your Care Routine
If blood work feels like a good step for you, consider getting blood work done at least annually. A check-in each year, especially if you’re dealing with health challenges and healing, allows you to gain insight consistently while also giving you time to see improvement between sessions.
If you’re experiencing new symptoms or monitoring your levels as you make changes, you can plan for more frequent blood tests as needed. In this case, still allow for at least three months between tests.
You can get ahead of this by communicating your expectations with a doctor on that first visit — that way, they can help set you up for success long-term.
Additional Resources
Below, I’ve provided some additional resources for you that incorporate discussions on blood work and hormonal health for women. I hope you find them useful!
Books
The Hormone Cure by Sara Gottfried, MD
Hormone Repair Manual: Every Woman’s Guide to Healthy Hormones After 40 by Lara Briden, ND
Period Repair Manual: Natural Treatment for Better Hormones and Better Periods by Lara Briden, ND
Naturopathic Doctors
Note: These are doctors I know professionally who share valuable information on social media!
Dr. Deluna: “Helping you fall in love with YOUR body”
Dr. Cerra Kelly, NMD: “Helping you heal your own hormone concerns; without birth control”
Doctors of Chinese Medicine
Natural Harmony Health: Doctors who specialize in women’s reproductive health, with a focus on “Acupuncture + integrative medicine to optimize fertility & create cycle harmony”
Your health care as a woman doesn’t need to be a guessing game for you or your medical professional. With blood work, you can feel empowered to have all the data points to make the right care decisions for your health.
Upcoming Evergreen Events
If you want to learn more about your health as a woman and have an opportunity to ask questions based on your unique health experience, we have some virtual workshops coming up for you:
Endometriosis & Fibroids Educational Workshop
April 3rd, 5:00 -6:30 PM PST
PCOS Educational Workshop
April 17th, 5:00 -6:30 PM PST
Perimenopause & Menopause Educational Workshop
May 1st, 5:00 -6:30 PM PST
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