There are many ways to assess our health. How we feel day to day – our energy, mood, sleep, digestion, and resilience to stress matter deeply. Movement, nutrition, rest, and connection all play a central role in well-being.
This article focuses on another piece of the picture: lab work and screening tests. These tools can be useful when investigating specific concerns, but they can also offer valuable insight when we feel generally well. Used thoughtfully, screening tests can highlight early patterns, guide prevention, and help to prioritize care.
Lab results don’t replace how you feel, but they can:
- Reveal changes before symptoms become obvious
- Identify nutrient deficiencies or metabolic shifts
- Clarify risk for certain conditions and guide personalized recommendations
- Motivate meaningful, targeted change
As a naturopathic doctor, I think not only about how to help people feel better, but how to support changes that are realistic and sustainable, especially in midlife, when many women are balancing full schedules and competing demands.
Below is an overview of screening tests I commonly recommend for women in midlife, along with why they’re useful and how they can guide care.
In Victoria BC, family doctors are in high demand and often have limited time to review results in depth. One strength of naturopathic care is longer visits, allowing time to individualize testing, interpret results in context, and translate data into clear next steps.
Blood Work
Complete Blood Count (CBC)
A complete blood count looks at red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. It provides a broad overview of health and can help identify:
- Iron deficiency or anemia
- Vitamin B12 or folate deficiency
- Signs of inflammation or infection
- Immune system changes
This is often one of the first tests ordered. While basic, it can offer valuable clues, especially when fatigue, frequent illness, or unexplained symptoms are present.
Iron Stores (Ferritin)
Ferritin reflects your body’s iron stores. Low ferritin is common in menstruating women and may contribute to fatigue, hair loss, dizziness, shortness of breath, and reduced exercise tolerance.
Interpretation can be nuanced because ferritin also rises with inflammation or infection. Reviewing iron studies alongside other markers, as well as your symptoms, is important.
In BC, the LifeLabs reference range for ferritin is typically 15–247 mcg/L. In practice, levels below 50 mcg/L—and especially below 30—may be associated with symptoms in some individuals, even if still within the lab range. Speak with your naturopathic doctor about what might be right for you.
Vitamin B12 and Vitamin D
Vitamin B12 supports energy production, nerve health, and cognition. Low levels may contribute to fatigue, brain fog, mood changes, or tingling sensations.
Vitamin D plays a role in bone health and immune function. Deficiency is common in Canada, particularly in fall and winter. In BC, testing is not routinely covered by MSP, but I still find it clinically useful.
Supplement use, especially B vitamins and biotin, can influence test results, so timing and context matter when interpreting these labs.
Liver and Kidney Function
These tests assess how well your liver and kidneys are functioning. They are also helpful for:
- General health screening
- Monitoring medication and supplement safety
- Identifying early metabolic or inflammatory stress
Even subtle changes can become meaningful when tracked over time.
Cholesterol and Cardiovascular Risk
A cholesterol panel helps assess cardiovascular risk. In BC, routine screening is generally recommended starting at age 40, unless additional risk factors (such as family history) are present.
For women in midlife, this becomes especially relevant. During the menopause transition, declining estrogen levels can influence cholesterol patterns and cardiovascular risk. Monitoring trends allows for earlier, preventative support.
In some cases, additional markers can provide more insight:
- Lipoprotein(a): A genetically determined marker that usually only needs to be measured once. Elevated levels are associated with increased cardiovascular risk.
- Apolipoprotein B (ApoB): Reflects the number of atherogenic (plaque-forming) particles and is often a more accurate predictor of cardiovascular risk than LDL (“bad”) cholesterol alone.
Blood Sugar and Metabolic Health
Fasting Blood Glucose: Measures blood sugar at a single point in time after an overnight fast. It can be influenced by recent diet, activity, stress, sleep, and illness, so it represents only a snapshot.
Hemoglobin A1C: Reflects average blood sugar over the past 2–3 months and is used to screen for prediabetes and diabetes.
In BC, an A1C below 6.0% is often reported as normal. However, risk exists along a continuum. Values between 5.5–5.9% may indicate increased risk for insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes and other health concerns, even if not flagged.
This range can represent an important window for prevention, where lifestyle changes are often very effective.
A1C is most useful when interpreted alongside fasting glucose, insulin, symptoms, and family history.
Fasting Insulin: Not routinely ordered in primary care, but can provide early insight into insulin resistance, often before blood sugar rises.
Elevated insulin may be associated with:
- Weight changes
- Fatigue
- Increased cardiovascular risk
- Hormonal shifts common in midlife
Thyroid Screening
Thyroid concerns are common in women, particularly in midlife. TSH (thyroid-stimulating hormone) is typically used as an initial screening test.
Thyroid imbalance may contribute to:
- Fatigue
- Mood changes
- Weight fluctuations
- Temperature sensitivity
- Changes in hair or skin
When symptoms persist despite normal results, further assessment and clinical context are important.
Inflammation
C-Reactive Protein (CRP)
CRP is a non-specific marker of inflammation. It does not identify the cause, but can indicate that inflammation is present.
CRP may be elevated:
- During acute illness
- With chronic inflammatory conditions
- As part of cardiovascular risk assessment
It is most useful when interpreted alongside other findings.
Other Important Screening Tests in BC
These are guided by provincial programs such as BC Cancer.
Mammography (Breast Cancer Screening)
In BC, individuals can self-refer for screening starting at age 40 if they have no symptoms or known high-risk factors. Screening helps detect cancer earlier, when treatment options are broader.
To find out more about mammogram screening and how to book, look here at the BC Cancer site.
HPV Screening (Cervical Cancer Screening)
HPV testing has replaced Pap smears for routine screening in healthy individuals with no concerning symptoms.
- Screening typically begins at age 25
- Self-collection is available
- Normal results allow for longer screening intervals
This change reflects strong evidence that HPV testing is more effective at identifying cervical cancer risk.
FIT (Fecal Immunochemical Test)
Screens for colorectal cancer by detecting small amounts of blood in stool.
- In BC, screening starts at age 50 for average-risk individuals
- The test is done at home every two years if normal
The Canadian Cancer Society now recommends starting at age 45, reflecting rising rates of colorectal cancer in younger adults.
Putting It All Together
Screening tests are not about looking for problems—they’re about gathering information. When interpreted in context, they help identify patterns, assess risk, and guide prevention.
Many women are told their results are “normal” and still don’t feel well. Others see borderline results and aren’t sure what they mean. This is where individualized care matters.
If you’re unsure which tests are appropriate, confused by your results, or wondering what to do next, working with a clinician who has time to look at the full picture can be helpful.
As naturopathic doctors, we support patients to:
- Choose appropriate screening tests
- Understand what results mean in context
- Identify early opportunities for prevention
- Translate lab data into practical, sustainable action
*This information is provided for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for personalized medical advice—please consult your healthcare provider to determine what is appropriate for you.