Hi Reader!

Over the past 21 weeks we've covered a lot of ground — magnesium, Vitamin D, collagen, cortisol, bone health, hormones, gut health, and more.

Today I want to step back and give you something practical for real life: how to actually talk to your doctor about your nutritional health and get the answers you need.

Because the truth is, most routine appointments don't include a conversation about nutrient status. And if you don't ask, it usually doesn't get checked.

TOP STORIES

01 — Hormone Testing: The Definitive Guide to Blood, Saliva & At-Home Tests​
Everything you need to know about getting your hormones tested properly — what to ask for and what the results mean.
→ vitaminsforwoman.com/hormonal/hormone-testing/​

02 — Hormonal Imbalance Symptoms: What Women Need to Know​
The full list of symptoms that point to hormonal imbalance — useful to have before your next appointment.
→ vitaminsforwoman.com/hormonal/hormonal-imbalance-symptoms/​

03 — Signs of Weak Bones: What to Watch For Before It Becomes a Problem​
The early warning signs most women miss — and the questions to ask before a problem develops.
→ vitaminsforwoman.com/bone-health/signs-of-weak-bones/​

FROM THE EXPERTS

The tests worth asking your doctor for — and how to ask for them

Most standard blood panels check the basics — blood count, blood sugar, cholesterol. They rarely include a thorough nutritional or hormonal picture unless you ask. Here are the specific tests worth requesting, and why each one matters.

For nutrient status:

• Ferritin (not just iron or haemoglobin) — ferritin is your stored iron and drops long before anaemia shows up on a standard test
• Vitamin D (25-OH) — most routine panels skip this entirely. Anything below 40 ng/mL is worth addressing
• B12 serum level — particularly important if you eat less meat, take metformin, or use acid reflux medication
• Magnesium (RBC magnesium) — standard serum magnesium is often normal even when cellular levels are low. Ask for RBC magnesium for a more accurate picture
• Zinc serum level — especially if you have hormonal acne, slow wound healing, or frequent illness

For hormonal health:

• Full thyroid panel — TSH, Free T3, Free T4, and thyroid antibodies (TPO and TgAb). TSH alone misses a significant number of thyroid issues
• Oestrogen, progesterone, and testosterone — useful to run on Day 21 of your cycle for the most meaningful picture
• DHEA-S — often overlooked, but a good marker of adrenal function and overall hormonal resilience
• Fasting insulin — a more sensitive marker for insulin resistance than blood sugar alone, particularly relevant for belly fat and PCOS

How to ask without feeling dismissed:

Be specific. "Can we check my ferritin and Vitamin D?" gets a clearer response than "I want to check my nutrition." If your doctor pushes back, it's completely reasonable to say: "I've been experiencing [specific symptoms] and I'd like to rule out nutritional causes before we explore other options."

Keep a short list of your symptoms written down before your appointment. Concrete, specific symptoms are harder to dismiss than general feelings of being "off."

If you can't get these tests through your regular doctor, many can be done through private labs or at-home testing services at reasonable cost.

Have a question? Ask at

​hello@vitaminsforwoman.com​

OUR PICK THIS WEEK

Women's Hormone & Nutrient At-Home Test Kit

Tests key hormones from a finger prick at home and get you results in days with a clear explanation of what they mean.

(Every product we recommend has gone through Vitamins For Woman's vetting process. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Vitamins For Woman has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers.)

Thanks for being elite, Reader.

See you next week!