Women's health in your 20s and 30s: what to track

Your 20s and 30s can be busy years, and health checks aren't always high on the list. But there are a few things worth keeping an eye on, even if you feel well.

Blood pressure, iron, vitamin D, cholesterol and blood sugar can all tell you something about your health. Your mental wellbeing matters too, as does noticing changes in your usual energy levels, periods, weight or general health.

You don't necessarily need to test everything routinely. What you need will depend on your health, family history, lifestyle and any symptoms you have. Knowing which markers matter can help you have more informed conversations with a GP and make sense of your health over time.

Iron: an important one for women

Iron is needed to make haemoglobin, the protein in red blood cells that carries oxygen around the body. If your iron levels become too low, you may feel tired, weak or short of breath.

Heavy periods are one common cause of iron deficiency in women. Your diet can also play a part, particularly if you don't eat many iron-rich foods.

It's something worth being aware of in your 20s and 30s. In Bluecrest testing data, 1 in 10 women aged 18–34 were found to be iron deficient.

A blood test can check your iron status and may include markers such as ferritin, which reflects the amount of iron stored in your body.

If you're regularly tired or have heavy periods, speak to a GP about whether testing could be appropriate for you.

Vitamin D

Vitamin D helps your body absorb calcium and plays an important role in keeping your bones and muscles healthy.

Your body makes vitamin D when your skin is exposed to sunlight, but it's harder to get enough during the autumn and winter months. Some people are also more likely to have low levels because of where they live, how much time they spend outdoors or their diet.

Vitamin D levels can be particularly worth keeping an eye on when you're younger. Around 41% of Bluecrest customers aged 18–34 tested low for vitamin D, the highest rate of any age group.

If you're concerned about your vitamin D levels, speak to a GP or pharmacist about whether a supplement or blood test is appropriate.

Blood pressure

High blood pressure can affect people of any age, and you may not notice any symptoms. That's why knowing your usual blood pressure can be useful.

Your blood pressure can change throughout the day and can be temporarily higher if you've just exercised, had caffeine, rushed somewhere or you're feeling anxious.

This means one reading doesn't always tell you very much on its own.

How to get a more reliable blood pressure reading

If you're checking your blood pressure at home:

• Sit quietly for around five minutes first
• Keep your back supported and both feet flat on the floor
• Rest your arm on a surface so your upper arm is roughly level with your heart
• Avoid measuring straight after exercise or caffeine
• Take two readings, around one to two minutes apart, and use the average
• If you're monitoring your blood pressure regularly, try to take your readings at similar times each day

It's also worth remembering that blood pressure can be higher in a medical setting simply because you're anxious or uncomfortable. This is sometimes called the white coat effect. The opposite can happen too, with normal readings at a clinic but higher readings at home or during the working day.

If your blood pressure is repeatedly high, speak to a GP. They may recommend checking it at home or using a monitor that records your blood pressure over 24 hours.

Cholesterol

Cholesterol is a type of fat in your blood. Your body needs it, but having too much of certain types can increase your risk of heart and circulatory problems over time.

Your cholesterol can be influenced by things such as your diet, activity levels, genetics, some health conditions and age. You may be more likely to have high cholesterol earlier in life if it runs in your family.

A cholesterol blood test can measure different types of cholesterol and other blood fats, giving you a better idea of your cardiovascular health.

You may not need regular cholesterol testing in your 20s or 30s, but it's worth discussing with a GP if you have a family history of high cholesterol or early heart disease, or other risk factors.

Blood sugar

Blood glucose is another useful health marker. Persistently high blood sugar can increase your risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

Your risk can be affected by factors including your family history, weight, diet, activity levels and certain health conditions.

A blood test can measure your current blood glucose level, while an HbA1c test gives an indication of your average blood sugar levels over the previous two to three months.

Again, testing isn't necessarily something everyone in their 20s and 30s needs routinely. Your GP can advise whether it's appropriate based on your individual circumstances.

Don't forget your mental health

Looking after your health isn't only about blood tests and physical measurements.

Stress, anxiety and low mood can affect your sleep, concentration, energy and day-to-day life. They can also be easy to overlook when you're busy.

Bluecrest data shows that women are 59% more likely than men to screen positive for anxiety, with 16.4% of women compared with 10.3% of men screening positive.

If you're struggling with your mental health, don't wait for it to become overwhelming before asking for help. Your GP can discuss the support available and help you find the right option for you.

What else is worth keeping track of?

Alongside the markers above, it can be useful to keep an eye on:

• Your weight and waist measurement: changes can provide useful information about your health, particularly when looked at over time.
• Your periods: changes in your cycle, unusually heavy bleeding or periods stopping can sometimes be a sign that something needs investigating.
• Your energy levels: persistent tiredness shouldn't simply be put down to being busy or not getting enough sleep.
• Your family history: conditions such as high cholesterol, heart disease, diabetes or some cancers can run in families and may affect when you need certain checks.
• Changes in your usual health: anything that persists or feels unusual is worth discussing with a healthcare professional.

Why tracking your health over time can help

Health measurements are most useful when you can see how they change over time.

For example, a blood pressure reading that's slightly higher than your usual level may not mean the same thing as a pattern of consistently raised readings. The same applies to changes in cholesterol, blood sugar, weight or other markers.

Keeping a record of relevant results can give you and your healthcare professional a clearer picture of what's normal for you and whether anything is changing.

For more tips, read How to track your health for better wellbeing.

Take a closer look at your health with Bluecrest Wellness

A Bluecrest Health Assessment brings together a range of health measurements and blood tests, depending on the package you choose. These can include cholesterol, blood sugar, blood pressure, iron, vitamin D and other health markers.

If you'd like to understand what a full women's health check involves, our guide explains what you can expect, where you can have one and the types of health markers that may be included.

Your results are presented in a clear, personalised report, helping you understand your numbers and identify anything you may want to discuss with a healthcare professional.

Book a Health Assessment today.

Need help? Call free on 0800 652 2183 to speak to one of our team.

This article is for general health information purposes and does not constitute medical advice. If you have any concerns about your health or symptoms, speak to a healthcare professional.