Why Blood Tests are Essential for Fertility, Pregnancy, and Managing Female Health Conditions.
Pathology testing is an invaluable tool that provides a clear picture of what’s happening inside your body. It can help identify any nutrient deficiencies or excesses that might be impacting your health, indicate any inflammation or stress in the body, and confirm or rule out any potential diseases.
As a clinical nutritionist, I prefer to assess rather than guess, which is where pathology and functional testing come in.
Pathology Testing for Fertility & Pregnancy
Blood tests in your preconception phase are almost always essential.
Before heading into pregnancy, we want to make sure that all of the key nutrients that are required to support both you and bub’s growth and development are in the optimal ranges to prevent any issues during pregnancy.
Testing early also helps identify any nutrient excesses or deficiencies that may be preventing pregnancy.
For example - low B12 levels can increase the risk of miscarriage by affecting cellular division and DNA synthesis, both crucial processes in early pregnancy.
Pathology testing may also be recommended to assess your hormones, make sure you are ovulating each month and identify any other issues like thyroid imbalances, that may be impacting your fertility.
There are certain nutrients, for example, vitamin D, which if low can increase your risk of pregnancy complications like gestational diabetes. Assessing this early means we can supplement accordingly to help lower your risk.
Weight Loss and Nutritional Balance
If you’re struggling with weight loss, nutrient imbalances could be holding you back.
Thyroid imbalances, for instance, are a common but often overlooked factor.
The thyroid gland plays a pivotal role in regulating metabolism, and insufficient thyroid hormone levels can impair your body’s ability to lose weight, even with a healthy diet and regular exercise. By identifying and addressing such imbalances through testing, we can tailor a plan to support your weight-loss journey.
Female Health Conditions (e.g. PCOS, Endo, PMS)
Pathology testing is also critical for understanding and managing women’s health conditions.
For example:
Low zinc levels can exacerbate premenstrual symptoms (PMS) such as cramps and mood swings. Zinc is essential for hormone regulation and reducing inflammation, making it a key nutrient for menstrual health.
Testing ensures that these imbalances don’t go unnoticed, enabling us to take proactive steps to improve your overall well-being.
Hormonal Balance
Hormonal imbalances often underlie issues like irregular periods, mood swings, and sleep problems. Testing hormones such as estrogen, progesterone, testosterone, and cortisol gives insights into your endocrine system and helps create a balanced plan for better health.
Supporting Energy Levels
Fatigue is a common complaint, but its root causes vary. Pathology testing can identify iron deficiency, low B12, adrenal dysfunction, or other factors contributing to low energy levels. Addressing these issues helps restore vitality and improve daily functioning.
Optimising Immune Function
Frequent illnesses or slow recovery can indicate a weakened immune system. Pathology testing can identify deficiencies in immune-supporting nutrients, helping to strengthen your body’s defences.
It can also identify chronic inflammation or infections that may be impacting your immune system and overall health.
Testing markers like CRP (C-reactive protein) or white blood cell counts helps uncover these issues, allowing for targeted interventions.
Why Reference Ranges Can Be Misleading
An important aspect of interpreting pathology tests is understanding reference ranges. The "normal" ranges provided by labs are based on a statistical average of people who get tested at that facility. Here’s why this can be problematic:
The population baseline: Healthy individuals rarely get blood tests, meaning these ranges often reflect the results of many unwell individuals.
Demographics and environment: Reference ranges can vary based on the genetics and environment of the local population, which may not align with what’s optimal for you and your health goals.
That’s why I use research-backed, optimal ranges designed for healthy individuals.
These ranges provide a more accurate benchmark to assess whether your nutrient levels are supporting your fertility and overall health.
Empower Your Health with Knowledge
Pathology testing is about empowerment. It gives us the data needed to address root causes rather than just treating symptoms. Whether it’s supporting fertility, achieving weight loss, or improving hormonal health, understanding your body’s unique needs allows us to create a personalised plan that works for you.
If you’re ready to take the guesswork out of your health journey, pathology testing is the first step toward achieving your goals and feeling your best.
Have you been told that your blood tests are ‘fine’ or ‘normal’ but you feel anything but that?
Maybe it's time you had these checked against the optimal ranges.
What's required?
Send through your blood tests, and I will analyse these against the optimal ranges, and send you a detailed report within 72 hours, along with recommendations on what to do next.
No appointment is required for this. Once booked you will be sent a link to upload your results and expect a report shortly after!
