Female CardioMetabolic Test Kit | Insulin, HbA1c, Cholesterol & CRP

Test ID: B-222 | Sample Type: Dried Blood Spot | Test Method: Immunoassay | Results: 3–5 Working Days | Laboratory: ZRT Laboratory – CLIA Certified | Report: Specialist Doctor Comment Included | Suitable For: Women | Collect Sample At Home: No Clinic Visit Required | Important: Must Be Collected Fasting

Are You at Risk of Heart Disease, Diabetes, or Metabolic Syndrome Without Knowing It?

Cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death in women — yet it remains widely underdiagnosed because the warning signs in women differ from those in men. Hormonal changes across the menstrual cycle, perimenopause, and menopause dramatically alter cholesterol levels, insulin sensitivity, and inflammation, creating a window of rising risk that a standard GP check often misses. This comprehensive 6-marker panel is designed to catch the warning signs early. If you recognise any of the following, this test could be one of the most important health checks you take:

• High blood pressure or a family history of heart disease
• Weight gain around the waist, especially after 40
• Elevated triglycerides or high cholesterol on previous tests
• Fatigue, brain fog, or persistent sugar cravings
• Increased facial or body hair — a sign of insulin resistance or PCOS
• Irregular periods, PCOS, or fertility concerns
• Numbness or tingling in feet or hands
• Energy crashes after meals or difficulty losing weight
• Perimenopausal or postmenopausal and concerned about changing cardiovascular risk
• Already diagnosed with metabolic syndrome, pre-diabetes, or cardiovascular disease
• Currently taking the contraceptive pill, HRT, or cholesterol-lowering medication

Why Cardiometabolic Health Matters More for Women Than Most Realise

Oestrogen plays a protective role in cardiovascular and metabolic health — keeping cholesterol balanced, inflammation low, and arteries flexible. As oestrogen declines during perimenopause and menopause, women often experience a rapid shift in LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, insulin sensitivity, and inflammatory markers. Women with PCOS, a history of gestational diabetes, or those on hormonal contraception also face elevated cardiometabolic risk that is rarely monitored proactively.

What This Test Measures

Six clinically validated markers to assess cardiovascular risk, diabetes progression, and systemic inflammation:

• Fasting Insulin (IN) — the earliest and most sensitive marker of insulin resistance, detectable before blood sugar rises; elevated insulin is strongly linked to PCOS, weight gain, and metabolic syndrome in women
• HbA1c (Haemoglobin A1c) — your 3-month average blood sugar level; used to screen for pre-diabetes and type 2 diabetes; women with PCOS or gestational diabetes history are at significantly higher risk
• High-Sensitivity CRP (hs-CRP) — a key marker of systemic inflammation linked to cardiovascular disease and atherosclerosis; inflammation often rises during perimenopause and is a strong independent predictor of heart disease in women
• Triglycerides (TG) — blood fats that rise with poor diet, insulin resistance, and hormonal change; high triglycerides in women are a particularly strong predictor of cardiovascular disease risk
• Total Cholesterol (CH) — overall cholesterol status; a core cardiovascular screening marker that can shift significantly during perimenopause and menopause
• HDL Cholesterol (HDL) — the protective “good” cholesterol; low HDL increases heart disease risk and is commonly seen in women with insulin resistance or PCOS

Together these markers provide a clinically relevant evaluation of your risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, and chronic inflammation.

Cardiometabolic Test Reference Ranges

Who Should Consider This Test?

• Women with no recent comprehensive cardiovascular or metabolic check
• Family history of heart disease, stroke, or type 2 diabetes
• Perimenopausal or postmenopausal — oestrogen decline directly raises cardiovascular risk
• Diagnosed with or suspected PCOS, gestational diabetes, or metabolic syndrome
• Currently on HRT or the contraceptive pill — both can affect lipid and insulin profiles
• Fatigue, brain fog, sugar cravings, or energy crashes after meals
• Anyone wanting a proactive approach to heart health and longevity

How It Works

1. Order your kit — delivered to your door
2. Collect your sample at home — a simple finger-prick dried blood spot taken while fasting (no food or drink other than water); no clinic or GP visit needed
3. Post your sample to ZRT Laboratory using the return instructions provided
4. Receive your results by email within 3–5 working days of the lab receiving your sample

What You Receive

• All six markers displayed clearly in graphics and numbers with reference and optimal ranges
• Written interpretation by a Hormone Specialist PhD Doctor
• Guidance on what your results mean and what to do next
• Laboratory fee included — no hidden charges

Why We Use ZRT Laboratory

All testing is performed by ZRT Laboratory — a globally recognised, CLIA-certified diagnostic laboratory founded in 1998 by Dr. David Zava, PhD. ZRT has performed over 11 million tests and is trusted by healthcare professionals in 96+ countries.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to fast before collecting my sample?
Yes — fasting is essential for this panel. Collect your sample within 1 hour of waking, having had nothing to eat or drink except water since the previous evening. Fasting ensures accurate insulin and triglyceride results, which are significantly affected by recent food intake.

How does menopause affect cardiometabolic risk?
Oestrogen helps maintain healthy HDL, suppresses LDL, and reduces arterial inflammation. As oestrogen falls during perimenopause and menopause, LDL and triglycerides typically rise, HDL falls, and hs-CRP increases — often significantly and without symptoms. This panel is strongly recommended for women from perimenopause onwards.

Is this test relevant for women with PCOS?
Yes — especially so. PCOS is associated with insulin resistance, elevated fasting insulin, dyslipidaemia, and chronic inflammation, all of which increase long-term cardiometabolic risk substantially. This panel directly addresses all four of these drivers.

Does the price include the laboratory fee?
Yes. The full laboratory analysis fee is included. You are only responsible for posting your sample to the laboratory.

How long is the kit valid for?
The kit must be used within 12 months of the purchase date.