Female Weight Management Blood Test

FEMALE WEIGHT MANAGEMENT BLOOD TEST

Trying to lose weight can be a frustrating process.

Sometimes it feels like you are not losing weight as quickly as you would expect given all your efforts, and sometimes is feels like you are actually gaining weight despite working hard not to.

Most often, weight gain, or difficulty losing weight, is due to a mismatch between the amount of energy you take in through food, and the amount of energy you expend through exercise.

There are, however, a few medical conditions that can cause weight gain, and a few medical problems that can cause symptoms such as abdominal swelling that can mimic weight gain.

This panel has been developed by our Clinical Governance Director, Dr. Adam Staten and covers the following:

Thyroid Function

The thyroid is a gland in the neck that controls your metabolism. Weight gain, or difficulty losing weight, is a very common symptom of an underactive thyroid, often alongside symptoms such as tiredness, low mood, and feeling cold all the time.

We test several different hormones to test the health of the thyroid, and these can be interpreted together to tell us where the problem lies.

Liver function

We test for liver disease in the weight gain screen because liver disease can cause abdominal swelling due to fluid build-up in the abdominal cavity. This is quite a late sign of liver disease but, if you are gaining weight, it is worth checking liver function in any case to make sure you are not developing fatty liver disease.

To test liver function, we test for a number of the enzymes that the liver produces as well as the waste product bilirubin and the protein albumin. These enzymes tend to rise for different reasons and interpreting the pattern in which they have risen helps us to work out what might be wrong with the liver.

Kidney (renal) function

Kidney disease is actually very common, in fact a degree of reduced kidney function might be considered a normal part of aging for many people. But the kidneys can also be damaged by toxins, medicines, infections, autoimmune conditions, and other conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Like liver disease, kidney disease does not cause weight gain, but it can cause swelling that mimics weight gain. Kidney disease may cause swelling around the ankles, eyes, and abdomen in particular.

Sometimes this is because damaged kidneys leak the protein albumin (which is tested as part of liver function). If blood albumin levels are low, this causes fluid to leak out of the blood vessels and into the tissues which causes the abnormal swelling.

We calculate kidney function using an equation based on the levels of the waste product creatinine (which is produced from normal muscle breakdown), your age, and your sex. An adjustment is also often made for your race. This gives the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) which is essentially a score of how well your kidneys are functioning. We use the eGFR to diagnose chronic kidney disease (CKD) and the level of your eGFR tells us the stage or severity of the CKD.

Cortisol

Cortisol is part of the weight gain screen because high levels of cortisol cause weight gain. This is known as Cushing`s syndrome and occurs when the body produces too much cortisol, usually due to hormone secreting tumours in either the pituitary gland or the adrenal glands. The tumours are non-cancerous and the condition is rare.

It causes weight gain in a typical pattern resulting in abdominal weight gain, the development of a "buffalo hump" (fat accumulation behind the neck at the top of the back), and a "moon face".

Testosterone

We measure Testosterone as it has been shown to influence metabolism by affecting the rate at which the body burns calories and processes nutrients. It can potentially lead to increased energy expenditure and a higher basal metabolic rate, which can contribute to weight management.

Testosterone plays a crucial role in the development and maintenance of muscle mass. Higher levels of testosterone can support the growth of lean muscle tissue, and muscle tissue burns more calories at rest compared to fat tissue. This means that individuals with higher muscle mass tend to have a higher metabolic rate, making it easier to manage weight.

Estrogen

Estrogen influences metabolism by helping to regulate energy expenditure and storage. Higher estrogen levels tend to be associated with a higher metabolic rate, which can aid in calorie burning and weight maintenance.

Estrogen influences where the body stores fat. Women tend to store more fat in subcutaneous (under the skin) areas rather than visceral (around internal organs) areas when estrogen levels are optimal. Visceral fat is associated with a higher risk of metabolic problems, including insulin resistance and obesity.

Diabetes (HbA1c)

We measure HbA1c as there is generally a linear relationship between weight loss and blood sugar levels. As you lose weight your HbA1c should generally decrease as well.

In addition, excess body weight, especially abdominal fat, can lead to insulin resistance, which is a key factor in the development of type 2 diabetes. When you lose weight, especially if you reduce fat in and around your organs (visceral fat), your body`s sensitivity to insulin tends to improve. This means your cells are better able to use glucose from your bloodstream for energy, resulting in lower blood sugar levels over time.

If you’re not sure exactly what you need, we advise all our clients to consult with a GP or one of our Registered Nutritionists before taking any blood tests. However, below you can find more information about this panel, and we hope it will help.

Is the Female Weight Management Blood Test Right for me?

If you’ve been working hard to lose weight but progress feels slower than expected — or you’re even gaining weight despite your efforts — this test can help uncover why.

It’s ideal for women with persistent weight concerns who want to know whether the cause may be linked to nutrition, hormone imbalances, or other underlying health factors. It also provides a valuable baseline for tracking progress in any weight management programme.

SYMPTOMS AND TAGS

Nutrition, Weight gain, Weight loss and Women

1. Fill out the contact form on the main page
2. Choose your preferred panel
3. Select between a Home Kit (via post), a Clinic Appointment, or VIP service
4. Make the payment online.
5. We'll contact you to arrange a clinic appointment or a VIP service and email you with your home kit delivery details.

Not sure which panel or test is right for you? Reach out to one of our Registered Nutritionists  

COLLECTION OPTIONS

1. VIP: Home/Office/Hotel visit by our phlebotomist – Available in London UK only (1-3 days)
2. Clinic visit (24+ UK locations, 1-3 days)
3. At-home kit (3-6 days)

VIP Phlebotomist Visit (London Only):

Perfect for busy individuals or corporate teams.

• Available across London.
• Once payment is received, our team will contact you to arrange your appointment — usually the same day if booked before 10 am, or the next day if later.
• Additional patients beyond 10 are charged £25 each, invoiced after the visit.
• Please select the total number of blood tests at checkout so our phlebotomist can bring the right equipment.
• Your blood will be collected by a trained phlebotomist and delivered directly to our lab for fast, accurate results.

In-Clinic Appointment:

Quick, professional, and convenient.

• Same or next working day appointment.
• We’ll contact you within 60 minutes of booking to arrange your visit.
• Your blood will be collected by a trained phlebotomist and sent directly to our lab for fast, accurate results.
• Choose your nearest clinic and skip the wait. (Check Locations)

Home Kit:

Test from the comfort of your home — anywhere in mainland UK.

• Everything you need to collect your sample in about 15 minutes.
• Return it to our lab via Prepaid Royal Mail  Tracked 24.
• Free replacement kit if anything goes wrong or more blood is needed — so you can order with confidence.

Take this test after any symptoms of a short term illness have settled.

You do not need to fast for this test.

Clinic appointment - how to prepare for the Female Weight Management Blood Test

If you are coming into one of our clinics for the test, this is what you need to do before you arrive:

• Read the instructions in the SPECIAL INSTRUCTIONS section
• Drink plenty of water about an hour before the appointment.
• Avoid coffee/tea/energy drinks. Water is good!
• That’s it! We’ll do the rest.

Home test kit - how it works with the Female Weight Management Blood Test

Our blood test kits are simple and convenient.

The most important step in doing a blood test at home is to read the instructions very carefully. The process is very simple, but there are a few pitfalls you need to be aware of - you will save yourself a lot of time if you do it right the first time around!

• Full printed instructions will arrive with your kit - please read them carefully.
• Drink plenty before taking the sample and warm your hands up in the sink with warm water for a few minutes. This will make your blood flow much better.
• Fill the tubes to the top line. We don’t need much blood; filling tubes to the top line is about 15 drops of blood.
• Post the samples on the same day you take them, before midday, Monday to Thursday. If you post it any other time it might get to us late or be stuck at a sorting office over the weekend. You will then have to do it again.
• Package the sample in the same box the kit came in. Otherwise, Royal Mail or DPD will reject it. The sample tubes go into a pouch, then into a cardboard box, and then into a return envelope. All of this is provided in the kit: please use it.

We look forward to receiving your sample in our lab!

- THYROID FUNCTION

- Unbound thyroxine (Free T4)
- Unbound triiodothyronine (Free T3)
- Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH)

- KIDNEY FUNCTION

- Total protein
- Creatinine
- eGFR (CKD-EPI 2009 formula)
- Urea

- LIVER FUNCTION

- Globulin calculation
- Albumin
- Total protein
- Bilirubin
- Alanine AminoTransferase (ALT)
- Gamma-GlutamylTransferase (GGT)
- Alkaline Phosphatase (ALP)
- Aspartate AminoTransferase (AST)

- HORMONES

- Cortisol
- Testosterone
- Estrogen/Oestradiol

- BLOOD SUGAR

- HbA1c

- MICRONUTRIENTS

- Ferritin
- Total Vitamin B12
- Total Vitamin B9 (Folic acid)

We always encourage you to visit one of our Clinique for any of our blood tests.

HOME KIT VIA ROYAL MAIL TRACKED 24

This service costs additional £19.00 and includes:

Available everywhere in mainland UK.

Includes everything you need to take a safe and suitable blood sample in about 15 minutes.

Post the sample back to our laboratory via Royal Mail Tracked 24.

CLINIC APPOINTMENT - SAME OR NEXT WORKING DAY

This service costs additional £38.00 and includes:

• No waiting. We will call you within 2 hours to book your appointment for the same day when purchased before 10am or following day if later than 10am.
• Quick blood collection from your vein, by our professional phlebotomist.
• Blood transported directly to our laboratory - for quick and accurate results.

No home kit exclusion for this panel. We always recommend an in Clinique appointment when the time permits.

We are extremely fast, with some results available within hours and others within a working day or less, from the time your sample is in our lab. However, this is not a guarantee and should not be taken as such. This is the guideline turnaround time that can be shorter or longer.

THIS IS NOT A GUARANTEED TURNAROUND TIME.

We are extremely proud of our very short turnaround times and very efficient laboratory processes; you will receive your results as soon as they are available and have completed clinical validation.

Whilst we accommodate the shortest time scales, with some results available within hours, for some tests the turnaround time is 1-3 working days.

DR. ADAM STATEN - GP VIEW AND RED FLAG SYMPTOMS

Most often, weight gain, or difficulty losing weight, is due to a mismatch between the amount of energy you take in through food, and the amount of energy you expend through exercise.

There are, however, a few medical conditions that can cause weight gain, and a few medical problems that can cause symptoms such as abdominal swelling that can mimic weight gain.

Red flag symptoms for the Female Weight Management Blood Test

Even if your blood tests are normal, you should see a doctor if you have any of the symptoms below because they may be a sign of serious underlying illness. 

• Bleeding when you open your bowels. 
• Unexplained weight loss. 
• Progressively worsening abdominal pain. 
• Yellowing of the skin or eyes. 

Why do you test thyroid function for weight management?

The thyroid is a gland in the neck that controls your metabolism. Weight gain, or difficulty losing weight, is a very common symptom of an underactive thyroid, often alongside symptoms such as tiredness, low mood, and feeling cold all the time. We test several different hormones to test the health of the thyroid, and these can be interpreted together to tell us where the problem lies.

Do I need to change my diet before the test?

You do not need to change your diet or fast for this test.

Can I see a GP to discuss my Results?

Yes, usually the same or next day.

Our fantastic partner clinical team of consultants and GPs. Once you have your results, you can book an online video consultation to discuss your results.

Our clinical team consists of practicing NHS and private GPs, who work closely with our laboratory and can tell you what your blood test results mean for you. Having an integrated laboratory and GP services makes your health journey seamless and extremely efficient.

This service is not included in the price of the test, it is charged separately, should you wish to book it.

Will I have a general explanation of my results?

Yes, our doctors put a huge amount of effort into your online Health Dashboard, which will have explanations of what each biomarker is, the normal reference ranges and what it means if you are outside of them.

QUICK AND ACCURATE RESULTS DIRECT FROM THE LABORATORY.

We partner with regulated laboratories and accredited clinics that manufacture their own approved home sample collection kits. Your results are looked after by our fantastic clinical governance team and a super-talented biomedical science team.

When you book your test with us - you book directly with the lab. This means accuracy and responsible duty of care, direct access to the provider and extremely fast turnaround times.