10/20/2026
When investigating painful periods, bloodwork can be a helpful piece of the puzzle. Depending on your symptoms, menstrual history, and overall health, here are a few markers may consider:
🩸 Complete Blood Count (CBC): Helps assess for anemia, which may develop as a result of heavy menstrual bleeding.
🩸 Iron Panel (including Ferritin): Heavy menstrual bleeding can contribute to iron deficiency, which may leave you feeling fatigued, dizzy, or depleted.
🩸 Inflammatory Markers (CRP & ESR): These markers can help assess systemic inflammation and provide additional context when interpreting iron studies, particularly ferritin.
🩸 Blood Sugar, fasting insulin & Lipid Screening: Metabolic dysfunction can be associated with hormonal imbalances and chronic low-grade inflammation, which may influence menstrual health. These tests may be considered when other symptoms or risk factors are present.
🩸 Thyroid Panel: Thyroid dysfunction can contribute to menstrual irregularities and changes in bleeding patterns.
🩸 Vitamin D: Low vitamin D levels have been associated with more severe menstrual pain in some studies.
Hormone Testing: Depending on your cycle history and symptoms, investigating reproductive hormones may help identify conditions such as PCOS or ovulatory dysfunction. Timing within your menstrual cycle is important for accurate interpretation!
Additional Testing: If your symptoms suggest another underlying condition or concern, we may look to other types of testing.
Here’s what Dr. Daria ND really wants you to know:
Normal bloodwork does NOT mean your period pain is normal. Conditions such as endometriosis and adenomyosis cannot be ruled out through routine bloodwork alone.
Having a collaborative healthcare team is an important part of investigating painful periods. This helps ensure you have access to appropriate imaging, specialist referrals, and individualized treatment options when needed.
You deserve to have your period pain taken seriously. 💕