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Welcome to the NEW Travel Klinix website, now known as Health Klinix.
Women's health checks
Health checks for women have now become more important than ever. Heart disease, breast and ovarian cancer are increasingly more common as you get older. Menopause can also have a profound impact on your well-being personally, socially and at work. Here at Health Klinix, our view is that all women should have a well woman check. We believe that a well woman health check for over 50 years of age is a particularly important first step in maintaining a healthier, fitter and happier life. Our women's health checks can detect diseases, such as diabetes, infection, cancer and high cholesterol early. This makes it easier to treat them and ensure you enjoy a long and healthy life.
What's included in a well woman check?
We’ll check your haemoglobin levels as it’s important in making sure your blood is able to carry sufficient oxygen around the body. If you’re always feeling tired, a low haemoglobin is a common cause. A raised white cell count in this test can also identify any infection.
Full blood count
B12 and folate (also called folic acid) are important vitamins that keep the cells of your body healthy and active. Both also help form red blood cells as well help repair DNA. B12 also has the special function of keeping your nervous system healthy. Iron is an important component of haemoglobin in your red blood cells and helps carry oxygen around your body.
B12, folic acid and iron
This important vitamin is mainly produced by the skin when it's exposed to sunlight but can also be obtained in your diet from foods rich in vitamin D, such as eggs and oily fish. Women and young growing children with darker skin living in cold northern climates like the UK, are particularly prone to vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is important for maintaining healthy bones and an effective immune system, so low vitamin D levels can put you at risk of ‘rickets or osteomalacia’ and infection.
Vitamin D
Women are more likely to develop thyroid disease and so we'll check you for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), and thyroxine (free T4). TSH is produced by the pituitary gland, a pea sized gland at the base of your brain. It controls the release of thyroxine which is produced by the thyroid gland, a walnut shaped gland situated in the front of your neck. Thyroxine is important in controlling how well your body works. It also helps your heart and muscles work more effectively.
Thyroid function
You’re at risk of osteoporosis (thinning of the bones) once you reach menopause. Making sure you have enough calcium and phosphate is important in keeping your bones and teeth healthy.
Calcium and phosphate
HbA1c is the main blood test for diabetes. It gives an indication of your blood sugar level control over the last 2-3 months. Diabetes is usually caused by a lack of insulin or if the insulin you produce is not working as it should. This leads to a high blood sugar level which can cause damage to your organs like the kidney and the heart.
Diabetes (HbA1c)
Health professionals check your U+Es to monitor your kidney function as it can deteriorate without you being aware until the later stages, so it’s good to get it checked.
Urea and electrolytes
After your skin, the liver is the second biggest organ in your body and it has many functions. Some of its important roles are removing toxins from your body, producing blood proteins and helping the immune system.
Liver function
Creatine Kinase (CK)
This is a protein released by your muscles and can be raised in muscle disease or inflammation.
Uric acid
A high uric acid level in your blood is associated with gout. Gout occurs when uric acid crystals collect in your joints causing pain and inflammation.
C-reactive protein (CRP)
CRP is one of the proteins produced by your liver. It’s raised in infection or inflammation, and helps detect diseases in their early stages.
Cholesterol test
Women have a higher risk of heart disease as they get older and raised lipids (‘fats’) are a risk factor. Here we’ll check your serum cholesterol level and a full lipid profile test. High cholesterol levels are also linked to stroke disease.
Follicular Stimulating Hormone (FSH), Luteinising Hormone (LH) and oestradiol blood tests
These are mainly menopause blood tests. During your menopause, your ovaries produce less oestradiol and your FSH and LH are elevated.
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Frequently asked questions
As you will only be attending for the blood test, it will be quick, just 10 - 15 minutes.
If you’re not great with blood tests, it’s worth bringing some water to drink afterwards just in case. You can also make sure you are well hydrated before coming for your test (it should only be water). If it’s a colder day make sure to wear warm clothing as this makes it easier for our team to take the blood test.
No, this is a fasting blood test which means that you shouldn't eat or drink anything except water for 8 hours before the test. So, we recommend booking an early morning appointment for your well woman health check.
Our blood results usually take 1 - 3 working days and you can access them online from our secure portal.
Any results outside the normal range are reviewed by our doctors and shared with you through our secure online portal. We’ll ask you to contact your GP for further assessment but if it’s urgent then we’ll call you, so please make sure you give us a contact number when you book your appointment.
Authors:
Dr Ravi Gowda, Consultant in Infectious Diseases and Travel Medicine
MBBS, MRCP(UK), DTM&H, MRCGP, DCH, DRCOG, DFFP
Caitlin Lancaster, BSc