Health Profile, Women

The Health Profile for Women gives a clear view of day-to-day health and long-term risk. These blood and urine tests cover blood counts, electrolytes, kidney and liver function, cholesterol, glucose control, thyroid status, key nutrients, and women’s health hormones. It’s useful for annual checkups, new training or nutrition plans, preconception planning, postpartum recovery, and perimenopause or menopause check-ins.

Start with a core panel—CBC, CMP/electrolytes, lipid panel, and A1c or fasting glucose—then add thyroid, iron studies, vitamin D, B12/folate, hs-CRP, and women’s hormone tests (e.g., estradiol, progesterone, FSH/LH; androgens for PCOS patterns) based on your goals. Labs inform prevention and follow-up but do not replace a clinician’s exam, imaging, or urgent care when symptoms are serious.

Signs, Situations & Related Needs

• Energy & mood: fatigue, brain fog, low stamina, sleep changes

• Cycle changes: irregular or heavy periods, new cramps, PMS/PMDD concerns

• Fertility & family planning: preconception baseline, cycle tracking, miscarriage workups with your clinician

• PCOS clues: irregular cycles, acne, hair thinning or excess hair, weight changes

• Perimenopause/menopause: hot flashes, night sweats, sleep disturbance, bone health questions

• Cardiometabolic risk: family history of heart disease/diabetes, high blood pressure, central weight gain

• Medication monitoring: drugs that affect kidneys, liver, lipids, thyroid, or hormones

• Red flags (seek urgent care): chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, persistent heavy bleeding, confusion, or stroke-like symptoms

Why These Tests Matter

What testing can do

• Identify cardiometabolic risks (cholesterol patterns, glucose/A1c) early

• Provide organ function context (kidney, liver, electrolytes) for safe care and training decisions

• Clarify hormone and nutrient factors (thyroid, iron, vitamin D, B12/folate) that affect energy, cycles, and bone/muscle health

• Establish a baseline so trends over time are easier to interpret

What testing cannot do

• Diagnose conditions without clinician review or replace guideline screenings

• Predict exact outcomes (e.g., fertility success or cardiovascular events)

• Substitute for imaging, ECG, or specialist evaluations when indicated

What These Tests Measure (at a glance)

• CBC (Complete Blood Count): red/white cells, platelets—screens for anemia or infection. Hydration, training, and pregnancy can shift hemoglobin/hematocrit.

• CMP / Electrolytes: sodium, potassium, chloride, CO2 (bicarbonate), kidney markers (BUN/creatinine/eGFR), liver enzymes (AST/ALT/ALP), proteins, glucose.

• Lipid Panel (± ApoB, Lp[a]): total, LDL, HDL, triglycerides; ApoB refines risk; Lp(a) is inherited and stable across life stages.

• Glucose Control (Fasting Glucose, A1c ± Insulin): current and 3-month averages to flag prediabetes risk.

• Thyroid (TSH ± Free T4/T3): metabolism and energy; consider TPO antibodies if TSH is abnormal (clinician-directed). High-dose biotin can interfere—hold if advised.

• Iron Studies (Ferritin, Iron, TIBC/Transferrin, % Saturation): oxygen transport and iron stores—especially important with heavy periods, pregnancy, or endurance training. Ferritin rises with inflammation—pair with symptoms and hs-CRP.

• Vitamin D (25-OH), Vitamin B12 & Folate: bone, muscle, red-cell, and nerve support.

• hs-CRP (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein): low-grade inflammation; trend values over time.

• Women’s Hormones (as indicated):

  • Estradiol (E2), Progesterone: cycle phase or luteal adequacy (timing matters).

  • FSH/LH: ovarian reserve context and cycle irregularity; FSH helpful in perimenopause.

  • Androgens: Total/Free Testosterone, DHEA-S to evaluate PCOS-type patterns with clinical guidance.

  • Prolactin: if cycle irregularity or galactorrhea is present (clinician-directed).

• Urinalysis / Urine Albumin-to-Creatinine (as indicated): hydration, kidney, and metabolic risk context.

Quick Build Guide

How the Testing Process Works

1. Choose your starter set: core panel (CBC, CMP, lipids, A1c or fasting glucose).

2. Add women-focused tests: thyroid, iron studies, vitamin D, B12/folate, hs-CRP, and—when helpful—hormones (estradiol, progesterone, FSH/LH, androgens).

3. Prepare for accuracy: follow fasting instructions; some hormone tests require cycle-timed draws—your clinician can advise. Review supplement holds (e.g., biotin).

4. Get your draw: visit a nearby patient service center; most results post within a few days.

5. Review & plan: discuss results with your clinician; set goals and a follow-up cadence tailored to life stage (preconception, postpartum, perimenopause).

Interpreting Results (General Guidance)

• Use your baseline: “normal” ranges are broad; compare to prior results and symptoms.

• Trends matter: repeat testing clarifies persistent vs. situational changes.

• Cycle timing & medications: hormonal contraception, menopause therapy, and cycle phase affect some results (TSH usually unaffected; estradiol/progesterone vary by phase).

• Iron & thyroid context: pair ferritin with CBC and hs-CRP; interpret TSH with Free T4/T3 if indicated.
  Always interpret labs with a qualified healthcare professional.

Choosing Panels vs. Individual Tests

• Quick check: CMP + Lipids + A1c (or fasting glucose)

• Broader women’s wellness: CBC + CMP + Lipids + A1c + TSH + Vitamin D + Iron Studies

• Hormone-focused (cycle concerns/PCOS/fertility): Estradiol, Progesterone (timed), FSH/LH, Total/Free Testosterone, DHEA-S (per clinician)

• Cardiometabolic detail: ApoB, Lp(a), and Urine Albumin-Creatinine for added risk context

• Bone & muscle support: Vitamin D, calcium (in CMP), consider magnesium if cramps are frequent

FAQs

Do I need to fast?
Often yes for lipids and fasting glucose. Follow your order instructions.

When should I test hormones?
Timing depends on the question. Your clinician may suggest day-specific testing (e.g., mid-luteal progesterone).

Can birth control affect results?
Hormonal contraception can change SHBG, lipids, and sex-hormone levels. Share all medications with your clinician.

Why check iron if my CBC is “normal”?
Ferritin can reveal low iron stores before anemia appears—especially with heavy periods or endurance training.

Can supplements affect labs?
Yes. Biotin can interfere with some assays; high-dose iron or vitamin D skews levels. Follow any hold instructions.

How often should I repeat these labs?
Many women repeat annually. Life stage, symptoms, or prior results may change the cadence.

Related Categories & Key Tests

• General Health Panels Hub

• General Health Tests • Baseline Biomarkers • Blood Chemistry Tests • Cardiometabolic Health • Thyroid Testing • Vitamin & Nutrition Tests • Fitness & Performance

• Key Tests: CBC • CMP/Electrolytes • Lipid Panel (± ApoB, Lp[a]) • A1c/Fasting Glucose (± Insulin) • TSH (± Free T4/T3) • Ferritin/Iron/TIBC/Transferrin • Vitamin D (25-OH) • Vitamin B12 • Folate • hs-CRP • Estradiol • Progesterone • FSH • LH • Total & Free Testosterone • DHEA-S • Urinalysis • Urine Albumin-Creatinine

References

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force — Screening recommendations for cardiovascular risk and diabetes.
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG) — Well-woman care and perimenopause guidance.
Endocrine Society — Thyroid testing; biotin interference considerations.
American Heart Association — Cardiometabolic risk assessment.
American Diabetes Association — Standards of Care in Diabetes.
PCOS evidence summaries — Hormone evaluation and clinical features.
National Kidney Foundation — Albumin-to-creatinine ratio and kidney risk.
National Lipid Association — ApoB and Lp(a) risk considerations.

Click here for additional information on What Is a Female Wellness Panel and Why You Should You Get One?

Available Tests & Panels

Your Health Profile, Women menu is pre-populated in the Ulta Lab Tests system. Select a core panel, add women-focused tests (thyroid, iron, vitamin D, B12/folate, hs-CRP, and—when helpful—cycle-timed hormones), follow any fasting/supplement instructions, and review results with your clinician to create a life-stage-appropriate plan.