Well Woman
Well woman health check in Plymouth
A private well woman health check in Plymouth gives you a full picture of your health in a single appointment — without waiting for an NHS referral. Women are disproportionately affected by thyroid disease, autoimmune conditions, iron deficiency, and hormonal imbalances that develop gradually. Many conditions specific to women — perimenopause, PCOS, thyroid disease, iron deficiency from periods — go undetected for years. This check gives you the complete picture of what is happening in your body right now.
Why women need this check
Many of the most serious conditions affecting women’s health — cardiovascular disease, thyroid disease, iron deficiency, perimenopause, diabetes — develop silently before causing noticeable symptoms. Women are five to ten times more likely than men to develop thyroid disease, yet many cases go undiagnosed for years. Hormonal imbalances affecting periods, mood, energy, and fertility are often dismissed as “just stress” rather than investigated properly. A well woman check catches these conditions early, when simple interventions can make the biggest difference. It also gives you a personal baseline so that future changes can be detected quickly.
What this check includes
This is a comprehensive panel of over 20 markers covering the key areas of women’s health. All blood tests are processed by Nationwide Pathology, our UKAS-accredited laboratory partner, with results returned the next working day. The appointment also includes a clinical review with one of our Advanced Practitioners.
| Area | Tests included | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Hormonal health | FSH, LH, oestradiol (E2), progesterone, prolactin | Assess menopausal status, ovarian reserve, and cycle irregularity. FSH/LH ratio is useful in PCOS. Oestradiol levels guide HRT discussion. Elevated prolactin can cause irregular periods, low libido, and mood changes and is frequently overlooked. |
| Androgens | Testosterone, SHBG, free androgen index (FAI) | Androgen excess drives female pattern hair loss, acne, and is a key feature of PCOS. Low testosterone in women can cause fatigue and reduced libido. SHBG and FAI give a picture of biologically active hormone levels. |
| Thyroid function | TSH, free T4, thyroid antibodies | Thyroid disease is 5–10 times more common in women than men and causes fatigue, weight gain, hair loss, low mood, and irregular periods. Thyroid antibodies (TPO/TgAb) detect autoimmune thyroid disease — the most common cause of thyroid dysfunction — often before TSH becomes abnormal. |
| Heart health | Total cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides, non-HDL cholesterol | Cardiovascular risk rises sharply after menopause when oestrogen protection is lost. Heart disease is the leading cause of death in women yet is often undetected until an event occurs. A full lipid profile assesses your true risk. |
| Diabetes & blood sugar | HbA1c, fasting glucose, fasting insulin | HbA1c and glucose screen for pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes. Fasting insulin identifies insulin resistance — a key feature of PCOS and metabolic syndrome — even when glucose levels appear normal. |
| Adrenal function | Cortisol, DHEA-S | Cortisol reflects adrenal stress response; chronically elevated levels affect sleep, weight, immunity, and hormonal balance. DHEA-S is an adrenal androgen that declines with age — low levels are linked to fatigue, low mood, and reduced libido. |
| Blood health | Full blood count (FBC) | Iron deficiency anaemia is extremely common in women of childbearing age due to menstrual losses. Haemoglobin, MCV, and red cell indices identify anaemia and help distinguish between iron, B12, and folate deficiency. |
| Iron stores | Ferritin, serum iron, transferrin saturation | Low ferritin causes fatigue, hair loss, poor sleep, and concentration problems even when haemoglobin is normal — one of the most missed diagnoses in women. Critical if you have heavy periods, are vegetarian or vegan, or feel persistently tired. |
| Liver function | ALT, AST, ALP, bilirubin, albumin (LFTs) | Baseline liver health is important and can be affected by alcohol, medications (including oral contraceptives), and metabolic syndrome. Essential if planning to start or review HRT or any long-term medication. |
| Kidney function | Creatinine, urea, eGFR, electrolytes (U&Es) | Kidney disease is often asymptomatic until significant function is lost. Important baseline, particularly with a history of high blood pressure, diabetes, or regular NSAID use for period pain. |
| Nutritional status | Vitamin D, B12, folate | Vitamin D deficiency is extremely common in UK women and linked to low mood, weak bones, poor immune function, and low energy. B12 and folate deficiency cause fatigue, neurological symptoms, and anaemia — more common in vegans and those on certain medications. |
| Inflammation | CRP (C-reactive protein) | Raised CRP indicates systemic inflammation linked to autoimmune disease (far more common in women), cardiovascular risk, and chronic infection. A useful general health marker that can prompt further investigation. |
Who should have a well woman check?
This check is suitable for any woman who wants a thorough assessment of her health. It is particularly valuable for women over 40, those experiencing menopausal symptoms, or those who haven’t had a comprehensive health review in several years.
- Age 40 and over
- Perimenopausal or menopausal symptoms
- Irregular or heavy periods
- Family history of heart disease, breast cancer or osteoporosis
- Unexplained fatigue or low energy
- Hair thinning or loss
- Unexplained weight changes
- Low mood, anxiety or brain fog
- PCOS or hormonal concerns
- No health check in the past 2–3 years
- Planning to start or review HRT
- Difficulty sleeping or night sweats
What your results mean
A personalised review, not just a printout
Your results are reviewed by one of our Advanced Practitioners, who will explain each marker in plain language — what it means, whether it is within a healthy range, and what action (if any) is needed. We don’t simply send you a results sheet and leave you to interpret it yourself. If anything needs further investigation or treatment, we discuss options with you directly and can refer you to a specialist if required.
For results that fall within normal ranges, we discuss what you can do to maintain and optimise your health as you age — diet, exercise, sleep, alcohol, and stress. For any abnormal results, we explain the clinical significance, the likely causes, and the treatment options available. If your hormones suggest you are perimenopausal, we discuss whether HRT is appropriate for you. If your thyroid is borderline, we explain the clinical significance and discuss monitoring or treatment. If iron is low, we explore the cause and discuss supplementation or dietary changes. If pre-diabetes is found, we discuss the strong evidence for reversal through lifestyle change.
What happens at your appointment
Your well woman appointment at our Estover clinic in Plymouth lasts 30 minutes. Our clinician will begin with a brief health history — asking about your current symptoms, menstrual history, family history, lifestyle, medications, and any specific concerns you have. This gives context to your results and helps identify any additional markers worth checking.
The blood draw is straightforward, usually from a vein in your arm, and takes less than five minutes. Results are processed by our laboratory partner and are ready the next working day. You’ll then receive your results either at a follow-up appointment or by email, whichever you prefer. There is no rush — we take the time to go through each result properly and answer your questions.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a well woman check and an NHS health check?
The NHS Health Check is offered to adults aged 40–74 every 5 years and covers a limited set of markers focused on cardiovascular risk. Our well woman check goes considerably further — adding comprehensive hormonal assessment, thyroid antibodies, androgens, adrenal markers, iron status, nutritional markers, liver and kidney function, and a full blood count. You also get a longer, unhurried appointment with a clinician who can discuss results in detail and answer your questions, without the time pressures of an NHS appointment.
Do I need to see a GP before booking?
No referral is needed. You can book directly through our online booking system. If your results require follow-up — for example a thyroid disorder, iron deficiency, or abnormal hormone levels — we can refer you to the appropriate specialist or your GP for further management.
Can this check assess whether I am menopausal or perimenopausal?
Yes. FSH and LH levels can help assess menopausal status, though these can be variable during perimenopause. Oestradiol and progesterone levels also provide context. The clinical picture — your symptoms, period history, and age — combined with these blood results gives a much clearer picture than blood tests alone. Our clinician will explain what your results mean in context of your symptoms and discuss whether HRT or other support might help.
What if my hormones are abnormal?
Abnormal hormone results might indicate perimenopause, PCOS, thyroid disease, or other conditions affecting hormonal balance. We discuss any abnormal findings with you fully at your results appointment. Depending on what is found, next steps might include lifestyle advice, repeat testing, referral to a specialist, or discussion of hormone-related treatment. We don’t leave you with concerning results and no guidance on what to do next.
Can I have this check if I am on HRT or the contraceptive pill?
Yes. If you are on HRT, hormonal blood tests still provide useful information — your clinician will interpret them in context of your treatment. If you are on the contraceptive pill, FSH and LH will be suppressed, so these are less meaningful, but all other markers remain valuable. Let us know your medications when booking so we can advise on timing and interpretation.
How much does the well woman check cost?
The well woman check is £200 all-inclusive. This covers the 30-minute clinical appointment with an Advanced Practitioner, all blood tests in the panel, laboratory processing, and your results with a clinician summary. There are no separate charges for the blood draw or laboratory fees.
How often should I have a well woman check?
For most women in good health, every 2–3 years from age 40 is a reasonable frequency. If you have risk factors such as a family history of heart disease or osteoporosis, or conditions such as PCOS or diabetes, annual checks are more appropriate. After a first check establishes your baseline, your clinician will advise on the most appropriate interval for your individual situation.
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Book your well woman health check in Plymouth
£200 all-inclusive. 20+ markers. Results next working day. No referral needed.
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