Most of the people we see don’t need a blood test in order for us to diagnose the menopause. However, if you’re under 45 and have menopause symptoms, the doctor may recommend a blood test. This will be at an extra cost, which the doctor will discuss with you. The test will measure the level of follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) in your blood, which increases as you approach the menopause. Levels of the FSH hormone can vary a lot in the years leading up to the menopause, so a blood test may not be reliable. For those over 45 years as long as you are healthy, the guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is that the diagnosis of perimenopause or menopause should be based on menopause symptoms alone, and should not depend on laboratory tests.