The purpose of this study was to assess the metabolic profile of clinically healthy dairy goats during the period of transition, reared in the Brazilian Semi-arid region of the State of Pernambuco. Ninety-four crossbreed multiparous pregnant goats, raised under an intensive system, were monitored and sampled in this research. Blood specimens were collected on the 30th, 20th and 10th day ante-partum, at parturition and on the 10th, 20th and 30th day post-partum. beta-hydroxybutyric acid (beta HB), non-esterified fatty acids (NEFA), glucose, fructosamine, cholesterol, triglycerides, total protein, albumin, globulin, urea, creatinine, aspartate-aminotransferase (AST), gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT), creatine kinase (CK), amylase, insulin, cortisol, free T3, free T4, total and ionized calcium, phosphorus, potassium, sodium and chloride were measured. The data was analyzed by the analysis of variance at the level of 5% of probability. Cholesterol, CK, free T3, free T4, ionized calcium, phosphorus, sodium and potassium did not present physiological adaptations. At parturition, the highest concentrations of NEFA, glucose and cortisol and lowest concentrations of total calcium and albumin were observed (P<0.05). The highest concentrations of insulin, creatinine and triglycerides were noted during late pregnancy, whereas the highest concentrations of beta HB, fructosamine and globulin during early lactation (P<0.05). AST, GGT and amylase showed the high activity during lactation (P<0.05). These results could be used as an aid tool for early detection of blood changes due to metabolic disorders during the transitional period and thus enabling an early therapeutic intervention.