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[mandy43]

Hi

Does anyone know why these results would come back inconclusive and I have to have them repeated?

For most folk this would be an easy thing to do, but I suffer with really bad health anxiety and it takes me all my time to bring myself to have blood tests done, but to have them done again is making me worry there is something wrong... anyone else had this problem with their results.  Help/support appreciated xx

[Dancinggirl]

Hi mandy43 and welcome to MM
If I get this wrong I hope others will be along to give the right advice.
Blood tests for hormones are notoriously unreliable.  If you are peri menopausal then the FSH and Estriol levels will fluctuate. Either your FSH was highish which indicates your ovaries are working too hard to produce oestrogen but your oestrogen level was still quite normal OR your oestrogen level was low and FSH was normal range which may have just been puzzling!!!  In other words they need to do another set of tests to get a clearer picture.
It's good they are prepared to do a further blood test as many doctors will just do one and declare you are not menopausal despite the presence of meno symptoms. 
Do tell us more about yourself e.g. your age, current meno symptoms etc. so we can advice you better.  DG x

[anna123]

Hi Mandy,

DG is right, it fluctuates so much .It also depends how old you are. The younger you are the more it will probably fluctuate. It's normal to do that test at least twice anyway in order to get a conclusive picture. I know they won't diagnoze POF on 1 test alone.I had 2 tests 4 weeks apart -I'm 39 and diagnozed with premature ovarian failure

[Limpy]

FSH tests are very, very variable.
When I had mine done (at 54) is had to wait 6 months between tests.
Like DG says, it's good they are willing to do more than one test.
Don't worry, it won't help anything, least of all you.

[mandy43]

Thanks for the replies ladies. 

I'm 43 and  My first symptoms started last year and were purely period related, as I remember.  I skipped one at the beginning of the year and then they were coming 2/3 wks apart.  Then went to every 5 weeks and then in November I had my last one.  They were due on Xmas day, but never showed up.  That is when the hot flushes started and night sweats.  This went on until end of January.  The symptoms were very severe and when I ovulated at the end of January, it all stopped and I felt normal for 2 weeks. Then all the meno symptoms returned and I saw the doc and she tested me for fbc/thyroid and the above tests.  The day after the tests my periods returned (friday just gone).  My fbc was satisfactory/ thyroid inconclusive and the above tests the same.  I am wondering now if the timing of the tests and periods starting the next day, may be the reason they hormone tests are inconclusive, although I think they told my husband they just couldn't get a reading?  Not sure. 

[Dancinggirl]

mandy43  - I had a premature meno but I was in my mid 30s when it started!!!!
Your symptoms may well be signs of peri-menopause so I'm pleased they are monitoring you.  If you are peri meno it is very important you have HRT to protect your bones and heart.  Do read up all the info under the headings too the left of this screen - it will help you to understand things better and hopefully help you feel less anxious.
We're here to help you so keep posting with questions.
DG x

[Sarah2]

the tests are supposed to be done on day 3 of your cycle then again after day 14.

I had 1 blood test done, as part of a whole range of tests, and was told by my gynae that I as post meno- which was amusing as I had regular periods and went on to have more for almost 2 years up to 54! He laughed and agreed it showed how unreliable the tests are.

In my case it didn't matter - I was over the age of average meno anyway so no need to keep testing me, just treat the symptoms. But for you, it would help to know as you'd need HRT as DG says.

[mandy43]

It really does help me to have your input ladies.  I am supposed to go back and repeat the tests but I may just wait and see if my next period shows up or not.  I know some ladies go through the whole menopause without visiting a doctor but my symptoms were so strong it left me feeling really ill.  I will keep posting and thanks so much xx

[anna123]

Even if you have few symptoms, if you are peri meno it is really important to take HRT as DG says because of your age in order to protect your heart and bones. It's good your doc is monitoring you.

[Dancinggirl]

mandy43 - Waiting for another period to appear is not going to help as you could have these erratic periods and meno symptoms for years and all the while be deficient in oestrogen and suffer the consequences in the long term. 
At the beginning of my symptoms (I was mid 30s),like you, I thought this was just a blip and things would settle down again so I put off taking HRT for nearly a year. Don't put off the tests - you are lucky to have a GP who is taking this seriously.  I have to see my GP tomorrow to discuss the Vaginal Atrophy I am now suffering from and I'm almost having panic attacks - I hate going to the doctor etc. You describe the meno symptoms you had as really strong so tackle this before they really affect your quality of life.  Good luck  DG x

[Sarah2]

mandy- DG is right.

You may well have another period on time or you may not- you might have short cycles ( mine dropped to 17 days at one point) or you might have longer cycles where you miss 3 or 4 periods in a row, then have 3 or 4 normal cycles.

I'm not sure about the confusion and what they told your husband? Drs do not give results to anyone except the patient due to confidentiality issues.

Have they tested your hormone levels- because FBC is surely a test for anaemia- a full blood count?- but not necessarily a test of your hormone levels which have to be done on certain days of your cycle.

Maybe it would help to overcome your reluctance to go to see your dr? There are no medals awarded for going through menopause without seeing a dr. It's not sign of weakness to need help for a biological function!

Every year you have with low oestrogen is going to potentially change your bone density- go and get some help!

[Hurdity]

Hi mandy - I totally agree with what's been said - why wait for a conclusive result - I mean you may well not get one! If you have begun to skip periods and are getting symptoms of flushes and sweats then there is no reason why you should not start a low dose of HRT - which will mostly regulate your periods and replace vital oestrogen while you are young.

Also I suggest you ask for the result of the thyrord test and get the actual reading - these can be interpreted in different ways. In fact you can ask for a read-out of all the results from your blood tests if you want  - they may even print them out for you.

Hurdity x

[mandy43]

Thank you ladies for your wonderful wise words, they really do help me!  My husband gets all my results as I have given the surgery permission to let him get them as I have really bad health anxiety, have done since the age of 17.  So, whenever I have tests done for anything I immediately think the worse, so can never face getting the results myself.  I know these are only hormone results to see if I'm in the menopause, but I start thinking maybe they will find something else in the results that will point to a tumour or something.  I know its stupid but I live my life in a constant state of fear, so going through all this is really hard for me... I never want to go near a doctor if I can help it.  I've had help on and off for this, but it's never worked.  Now with the results coming back for my hormones and my thyroid as inconclusive I am thinking it means all sorts, so this is especially difficult for me to handle.  They are sending a repeat blood form in the post to me and I can't even go near the front door in case I see the letter on the floor.  Please don't think I'm a nutter, I'm not!  I just have a terrible fear that is extremely exacerbated at the moment by the symptoms I'm having.

[Dancinggirl]

I assume you have had cognitive behavioural therapy for your issues around doctors and your health - can you ask for more sessions to help you cope with these hormonal changes and find a positive way forward?
Please, please be aware that you are not alone, thousands of women are going through what you are experiencing and whilst it is a natural process that all women must endure the symptoms can be controlled. I fear that if you do not address your fears now you will end up not getting the help and support you need.  I hope you have an understanding GP who can help you through this.
Keep us posted.  DG x

[CLKD]

oh have a hug!  For a while I was unable to pick up the post - I was a great letter writer but couldn't reply, so if a letter from a pen-pal arrived I would feel really ill - because I felt I had to reply immediately  : I was unable to answer the phone; I couldn't answer the front door, have people to visit, go to see anyone …….  fear is very controlling, allowing the mind to keep going round and round ……… it is a vicious circle, self perpetuating.

How about a community psychiatric nurse to visit so that you can talk these issues through?  Your GP could arrange for this.  Or get in touch with the MIND charity, they may have an out-worker who could visit with you.  Being in your home may allow you to feel relaxed, more in control.   Or perhaps you could have a correspondence about your worries with a professional?  Making a list and ask the Nurse to go through them with you even if it means several discussions?  That way what is in the back of your mind can come forward - talking about it can help.

The blood tests you are having won't show anything untoward health wise, because they are different types of tests.  Speaking with your Practice Nurse could help or a Pharmacist.  If a Nurse explains the various tests for different symptoms you might feel easier about what 'might' show up.

Thyroid disorder can cause anxiety.  As can low blood sugar. Do you have a 'good' diet?

Keep posting!