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[warwick01]

Hi

Calling on your expertise.

As you are aware I have been worried that I may not be absorbing the Oestrogel as symptoms have returned over the last few months.

When I seen the Gyne consultant she requested my bloods but told me I was using too much oestrogel 3/4 pumps per day. At my request I have just received the blood results which are:

Follicle stimulating hormone 2.0
Beta Oestrdiol 269 pmol/L

It says Ref Range Post Meno to be 201 surly that indicates Im not absorbing the gel?

I look forward to your advice because to be honest I don't understand these results........grrr mind field.

W

[lancashirelass]

Your fsh is low.  Anything.pver 35 plus is deemed menopausal.  However your e levels is.low.  o.wouldnt feel ok on.that level which gel do.you use and are.you applying correctly?

[Dancinggirl]

On 2 pumps per day of Oestrogel I got a oestrogen level of 475.  You can't be using the gel correctly!!!! Do you put it on your inner thighs on clean dry skin - some in the morning and some before bed ?  Do you make sure it dries properly for 10 mins before getting dressed?
The readings are very strange!!!!! DG x

[warwick01]

Thanks for your replies

I have been using 2 pumps morning inner thighs and 1or2 pumps eve always inner thighs. I have read the results from the print out so something is a miss.

Looking forward to seeing my GP Thursday to review HRT. Going to try a patch as nothing to lose.

Wx

[warwick01]

I'm confused as to why my FSH is 2.0 at age of 56.

Any ideas???

W

[Hurdity]

Hi warwick

That level of estradiol is certainly not low or post-menopausal - it is within the range of the menstrual cycle. It may well be less than expected from 4 pumps of gel as Dancinggirl points out. However it is most definitely not too high either!

I have a 50 mcg patch and last time my levels were measured they were 212 pmol/l - and I don't get any flushes or major menopausal symptoms with this level. I know that private gynaes like women to have higher levels to feel at their best but personally at my age it is a compromise between high levels of oestrogen ) which I would like), a longer cycle to minimise the length of the cycle I am on progesterone ( which I prefer) and the amount of progesterone.

I know that some gel users can have widely differing results and I'm sure we've discussed this before but have you thought of a patch?

I can't comment on the FSH but do you have the units of measurement of this?

Hurdity x

[warwick01]

Hi Hurdity, as always thank you for your response.

The print out states FSH - 2.0 IU/L

Ref range Luteal 1.7 - 7.7
Ref range Post meno 25.8 - 134.8

My concern when I read this was does this mean I've not reached menopause? however at 51 before HRT my first blood test was FSH 34 my GP told me I was perimenopause then.

My main concern is following the return of symptoms since August that I have become sensetized to the gel, therefore not absorbing as well.

I am planning on trying a patch everal or estrodot (any difference?) 50mc and see what happens. I may require 75 at my age of 56 as I guess my symptoms are at their peak.

Thanks again W

[lancashirelass]

There is good evidence that a plasma oestradiol level of 300 pmol/l is necessary to ensure the improvement of bone density in nearly all women.(2) this is from prof studds website

[warwick01]

Thanks Lancashirelass

I'm not at my best at the moment, going to see GP tomorrow as my post says I don't think I am absorbing the gel.

p.s I live in Lanacashire too, do you know where there is a good menopause clinic in Lancashire

W

[lancashirelass]

I actually live nearer to yorkshire!  Leeds has.one manchester has only a nurse led.one not heard great things.  North generally doesnt have many. 

[Hurdity]

Hi warwick  - I can't explain your FSH level and I think you should ask the gynae about this - what it means, and whether it should be investigated further, as it is usually high - if these blood tests are accurate.

There is good evidence that a plasma oestradiol level of 300 pmol/l is necessary to ensure the improvement of bone density in nearly all women.(2) this is from prof studds website

Lancashire lass - this is interesting because the licensed dose for protection against osteroporosis (50 mcg patch) I understand gives on average lower values than this. Will need to have a look at this evidence!

Hurdity x

[Hurdity]

Hi again warwick

It just came to me in a flash when I was looking up again how the menstrual cycle works....

Of course FSH will be low in many women taking HRT! In the normal menstrual cycle high oestrogen levels produced by the developing egg suppress production of FSH. In menopause there are high FSH levels because the body is continuously trying to stimulate the ovaries into developing an egg even after they've packed up.  Of course when you introduce oestrogen artificially as HRT, FSH levels will fall - but nothing to do with ovarian function! I just had this confirmed by looking up various papers on t'internets after it occurred to me.

Sorry not to realise this before but I haven't really thought about it - and of course this is presumably how the contraceptive pill works to prevent ovulation ( have never really thought about  how this works either!)

Hurdity x 

[warwick01]

Hi Hurdity - thank you for going to the trouble of researching the FSH level. I must say it's well over my head. Even my GP couldn't explain why the level was so low. I had a panic that may be I hadn't reached meno yet

I started using estrodot 50 on Friday, apart from a couple of minor flushes all seems ok. I really want to be on a lower dose such as 50 but maintain a good quality of life.

I will keep you updated. Thanks again for your advice

Wxx