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[Hurdity]

Hi Hurdity, I have just been on the private lives link that you gave and was interested in the relationship (or effect) your SHBG has on the effect of T and I wonder if you wouldn't mind explaining it.  I understand what you say about test results not being accurate, but my levels in 2018 were T 26.47, SHBG 128.5 and FAI 20.599.  These figures seem to be way above any others that I have seen  . These were private tests through meno doctor.  Recent results through GP only tested T. which came back as 9. I am very happy on the T (as previously mentioned  ) but I am worried about what these levels, across the board, may suggest ?

Thank you in advance xx

Hi montyzooma

I've copied your question onto that thread "Testosterone Here We Go" in Private Lives, as it is off topic for this long-running thread - so don't want to confuse people! I have answered it there

Hurdity x

[Sammiejane]

Monty zoomer 7

Hi there thanks for your reply
I had no hair loss prior to starting HRT
I fact the opposite my hair grew mega thick and long and since starting stopping changing HRT I've experienced mega shedding of hair I thought initially it was vagifem vagina estrogen so swapped to Ovestin but still shed hair I then started estrogel 2 pumps and have remained on that but still shedding I thought it was slowing but my hair line has receded all the was around which dermatologist thinks hormones has triggered the hairloss and I have for the past week swapped to a estradot 50 patch to eliminate if it's the estrogel contributing to the hairloss but brushing my hair yesterday lost 15 hairs and today 5 hairs I'm very frustrated and I don't think the patch is as good as the gel for VA symtoms although I was getting quite constipated on the gel which I'm not on the patch I'm wondering if it's an imbalance as my progesterone is 0 with having no ovaries and testosterone 0.6 which I believe is low and estrogen 104 which I'm aware is still low to incorporate testosterone but the ration of estrogen and progesterone would suggest high estrogen relative to progesterone which can cause excessive shedding . Side effects list hairloss online of the gel as frequency unknown due to available data but leaflet dosent mention hairloss . Hairloss on the estradot patch is listed as as a rare side effect. I just don't know what to do any thoughts ?

[juliemargaret]

Hi all..just an update. I decided to carry in with my alternate eve utrogestan vag....afrer kots of thoughts and akso chats with the great ladybt28 and hurdity. Another month then if no changes yry a sequi. .in meantime i also upped my gel by half a pumo so now 2.5.....been nearly 2 weeks.

Again im still bleeding.....6th bleed in over 3 months...can happen i know and i thi k this one was.my period....lasted 2 days then seemed to stop then..i had sex and woke to another bright bleed!  Still there now (the bleed not the sex haha) not heavy but there.....

Been abso drained!!!! I mean ive been gym....but aside.from.that been coning home and drained...and aware. Felt a little flat but manageable (ie...aware so dont let it drown or overwhelm me) also low motivation etc....same o stuff really.  I know its been  really warm clammy weather ....and ive felt rather warm too..even noticed been sleeping out of the covers which i NEVER do....as im a rather cold feeking person. I did wonder if was the hrt making me warm..the possible estro increase....or just the weather ?!

Breasts full and tender...expected i know and poss estro and can settle. We shall see. Its just the low energy. Not normal. I was walking the dog and thinking...i havent woken up feeling energised in a while....somethings not right. Feel so tired altho trying to overide it !

Just wanted to check in with u all and let u know where im at anyway. I nust say this hrt has weighed me down i feel....and i dont mean tbat negatively as ive tried to stay upbeat and keep open mind and let it work......but at moment still disheartened.  Noticed i feel a tad jittery as typing....i mean im drinking a coffee...but....ive been waking feeling the same....but it then passes.

Wanna chat anyone?
X

[Tracey E]

Hi all..just an update. I decided to carry in with my alternate eve utrogestan vag....afrer kots of thoughts and akso chats with the great ladybt28 and hurdity. Another month then if no changes yry a sequi. .in meantime i also upped my gel by half a pumo so now 2.5.....been nearly 2 weeks.

Again im still bleeding.....6th bleed in over 3 months...can happen i know and i thi k this one was.my period....lasted 2 days then seemed to stop then..i had sex and woke to another bright bleed!  Still there now (the bleed not the sex haha) not heavy but there.....

Been abso drained!!!! I mean ive been gym....but aside.from.that been coning home and drained...and aware. Felt a little flat but manageable (ie...aware so dont let it drown or overwhelm me) also low motivation etc....same o stuff really.  I know its been  really warm clammy weather ....and ive felt rather warm too..even noticed been sleeping out of the covers which i NEVER do....as im a rather cold feeking person. I did wonder if was the hrt making me warm..the possible estro increase....or just the weather ?!

Breasts full and tender...expected i know and poss estro and can settle. We shall see. Its just the low energy. Not normal. I was walking the dog and thinking...i havent woken up feeling energised in a while....somethings not right. Feel so tired altho trying to overide it !

Just wanted to check in with u all and let u know where im at anyway. I nust say this hrt has weighed me down i feel....and i dont mean tbat negatively as ive tried to stay upbeat and keep open mind and let it work......but at moment still disheartened.  Noticed i feel a tad jittery as typing....i mean im drinking a coffee...but....ive been waking feeling the same....but it then passes.

Wanna chat anyone?
X

Hi, I feel for you. Are you Peri, ?  I tried upping my Estrogel last week and felt totally wired so gone back to 1.5 pumps. You could try cutting back on caffeine see if that helps Margaret.

I went doctors yesterday to have a Mirena fitted and she couldn't do it so I now have to go gynocology to get it done. Back on Utrogestan and it makes me feel like poo. 

[juliemargaret]

Hi birdy and traceye
Birdy - hope youre feeling brighter? I did mean to ask. 
Yes - peri. Im 48 tmw! Birthday girl. Tired birthday girl haha.  Yes iknow the bleeds are due to the regime....hurdity and ladybt28 beeen talking to me abt it....and im.gonna try a cycle but this month i had a few things on....plus go away on holiday 23rd was was a bit wary to do this month as worried abt the lows and stuff i may not expect or may throw me...and holiday..etc. so just getting to the end of aug then from 1st sept im.gonna try a cycle.  Was just reporting in.
Tracey - i only have one coffee a day...and of a morn so cant even blame the coffee..
Debating to lower my gel back to 2 pumps....could it poss be too high girls?

[Tracey E]

If you're still getting hot sweats Margaret then probably not, maybe your body is just getting use to the higher dose...

[juliemargaret]

Hi T..im.not sure you could call them sweats......plus ive never had a flush or hot sweat before....dunno..bit confused by it all and tbh not  enjoying it. Just feel like weighed down...rubbing gel in ...pushing utro up...and no better ha! I know you all know! And i have been compassionate...you know kind to myself whilst journeying it...but now like sorry started. This weird tiredness is awful ! I mean im tryibg to stay upbeat and just ignore and get on but hate hate waking and feeling need to go back to bed! Grrrr.

How are u x

[Tracey E]

I'm ok, a bit sore from being poked n prodded yesterday. No idea how long an appointment will take to come through, so back on Utrogestan 7 day cycle again. Can I ask what made you start this HRT journey?

[juliemargaret]

Ahh yes u will be sore! God..what a palaver.  is  cycle no good.for you? Why? Sorry if u already answered this.


Me....ok.....i think ive had a hormonal imbalance a long time. My son is nearly 14 and after his birth for yrs my H's didnt re balance. I actually wrote a blog called woman on the verge of the peri meni!! This was before i knew abt all this!  Very in tune with my body....had lots pmt stuff symptoms like sore gums....sore boobs...a quiet inner anxiety...worry etc..sore hip, low motivston....all would dip and rise with my spot on 28 day cycle..bleeding of which disnt bothet me much..just came.and went...skight headache but would go. Not been on any birth contrils since so you can say my body was as natural as they come....i started a path of self care and research and started yoga (now a teacher) and self helped as much as could...and have been ever since
..fast forward last 18mths or so.....weird fatigue (and im.very fit n active) low mood and no motivation (altho youd nevet know) tender.coccyx bone, unpredictable sore left breast..and 2 occadions of worry which turned oit to just be surges in hormones.....period started to dwindle...ie..sometimes 2 wrekly.
.sometimes 5...heavier than normal.some months...some just a day or 2. More so prev few months before started hrt. I jsut didjt feel myself...inner light was low and i was aware and tbh a little scared as i didnt feel myself. Just flat as a pancake and no go nor any mojo. My already fine hair began shedding a lot....
I had bloods..was low in zinc...had to have 2 rounds of supps and last blood showed had gone up. I jist felt poo...but liie i said...couldnt put finger on it....and decided it was deffo changes. My doc has been fab...supported me...i said id like to try hrt as knew couldnt carry on feeling how i did.....so here i am!!

[Tracey E]

Well tbh Utrogestan just doesn't agree with me so back on my 7 day cycle yet again. Don't relish starting a cycle again because I get terrible PMT.  I'm great during the Estriogel part of the cycle. I had all the menopause symptons, lethargy, hot flushes, sleepless nights and VA. I did start to have right hip pain too but since being on the HRT that seems to have subsided. My mum sufferred from Osteoporosis so HRT seemed the sensible solution for me. Just didn't realise it would take so long to get it right.

It so fab to have a supported doctors, my usual doctor is on maternity leave and she's great. Unfortunately at the moment I have to see who's available (not so great). Just wish I could get my mojo back!

[juliemargaret]

Ahh ive never experienced the estrogel part on its own tracey.....and..talking of mojo..ohhhhh mines been gone a while. I really hoped hrt would be THE missing link.

Do you think cos im.bleeding i feel poo/drained/off also?

[westie]

Morning ladies

Am on day 10 of my first round of Utrogestan 100mg for twelve days ( had an ablation so Gynae specialist says 100mg would be sufficient for this amount of time). Started off ok initially but got to day 5 and have been having awful bloating and wind which is really quite painful. I am taking it vaginally at bedtime as I hoped this would negate any possible side effects.

I have done a search and it does seem this can be a side effect but just wondered if anyone else has it and if it will settle after a while? Otherwise I am feeling so much better after just six weeks on HRT ( 2 pumps Estrogel alongside the twelve day utrogestan).

Thanks in advance

W xx

[Nitajbee]

Hello all, I'm new to post but have read the forum for ages, and find it very helpful.

Been on HRT sequi, various brands via 50 patch, for almost 2 years. Am 48. All the symptoms before, flushes, serious joint aches (neck and back), vertigo, aura migraines, etc etc.

Vertigo completely gone whilst on HRT, joint aches and flushes improved. Migraines hit and miss.

My withdrawel bleed is random, bit more rare, and sometimes have breakthrough bleed which I think is my natural cycle breaking through.

Swapped to Utrogestan with Evorel 50 patches last month as think I'm prog intolerant. Orally was a nightmare, 200 for 14 days first month. Knocked me for 6, (migraines and extreme fatigue). No withdrawel bleed.

Am now trialling 100 vaginally (on day 6) which is much better but am still getting migraines, but not as many.

Question is, should I consider private consultation (Prof Studd) to get my HRT regime sorted? Realise I am slightly self medicating and understand the risk to womb lining if I don't get enough prog...

My life is on hold by how debilitating this is so any amount of money must be worth it if I can return to some kind of normal.

Any advice welcomed 

[juliemargaret]

Hi nitajbee...ohhhh its so.overwhelming isnt it. Reas my past posts for my background.info.
I do hope u find a balance.too....maybe see.a.good.gp who knows aboit the.meno.and hrt before u fork out to see prof studd? Saying that....my gp is amazing but im not sure shes.fully fully aware of the ins and outs...so i too am.considering gokng to see louise newson or someone nearby! Feel i too need guidance as bleeding on alterbate day utro..3 months now been on it..and 2 pimps esteo.which are now 2 and a half. Last few days been absolutely drained.....fed up.x

[Nitajbee]

Thanks for your reply! Yes, it is utter hell. Have always struggled with PMT and aura migraines but this peri lark is a absolute joke!

I did have a good GP who put me on HRT but he has left and new one is pretty poor. Also 10min appointments, if and when you can the them, are useless.

I am due back for review of Utrogestan next month but dare not tell her I am using vaginally, so not sure they can help.

It is a lot of money for private though, and I am halfway there with the top HRT, seems maybe gel and or totesterone plus regime advice is the answer... but whether it is worth over a grand...?