Hi
as I said in another post today the blood tests will measure things but are expensive when you start doing more entensive tests in the realm of hormones.
Why would they be available at all if they were "so" unreliable, its just to put you off.
If the docs did a series of blood tests for every one of us who was starting to venture into menopause valley then we'd bankrupt the health services around the world.
Ultimately I'd always go for a blood test if I was under the weather or had any concerns for my health.
Its good health practice.
In terms of the minimum, at least two blood tests across the month will give the most basic of baseline, more will obviously give a better picture.
If you are lower in estrogen then this will show up and depending on how low the doc could put you on either low, medium or higher hrt options.
Either way it will save them trying to guess or worse misdiagnose you.
Hope your session with doc goes well.