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[moonbeam121167]

Hi all

need to ask had my estrogen levels checked and GP said on the phone it was 92, not really sure what that means, I am on 100mcg Esrtadot had a total hysterectomy at the end of 2012, can anyone please advice, as this last few months I have put weight back on badly, very moody, not sleeping and very tired all the time, so thats why she had it checked and also I have an appointment this afternoon with the meno clinic

[Hurdity]

Hi moonbeam - sorry to hear you are still suffering.

If it's in pmol/l ( normal for UK) then this is pretty low. If pg/ml then reasonable although some women still get symptoms even so. I know you've had problems with getting the right dose haven't you? I know one blood test is not usually sufficient to say what's what but it does look like you might not be absorbing oestrogen despite the high patch dose. Have you tried gel? You've been on higher dose patches in the past but can't remember if you had your oestrogen levels tested before? Also I know we've discussed the addition of testosterone before but that would only be advisable once your oestrogen levels are high enough. Do you still get flushes and sweats or are you possibly taking other meds ( eg ADs) which might suppress them? Let us know how you get on at your appointment - I hope you manage to see some improvement with whatever is recommended. Also have you had your thyroid tested recently? Might be worth looking at this too as underaactive thyroid causes weight gain and fatigue, amongst other symptoms, and can start going awry at this time of life.

Hurdity x

[moonbeam121167]

Hurdity

I can always rely on you for excellent advice, I am not sure if it is the pmol/l or pg/ml but all I know is the weight gain , mood swings  also had a few episodes of palpation's for which I had check and its all good, I am on Prozac for stress and anxiety , some hot flushes but not many but its been in the last 6 months or so and also my patches have not been sticking well so I changed batches but still been having issues, craving sweet stuff, not sleeping well, , thats why I went to the GP and she said change were you put the patch like your arm but I was always told bum or stomach, so I asked for my levels to be checked as I am afraid that I wasnt absorbing the patch properly

[Hurdity]

Ah yes it could be that the Prozac is dealing with some of your hot flushes and you are experiencing other symptoms from low oestrogen - which are less easy to determine ie it's easy to say - well I have no hot flushes but less easy to say - my mood is consistently good, if you see what I mean, as it is less tangible. Re sticking - make sure your skin is clean and dry and free from any creams or lotions ( eg from the shower or conditioner etc) and make sure you press down firmly - and do check it is stuck each day. Try to make sure they are not stuck eg where your waistband is - I do find butt cheek is best as there seems to be less abrasion. I did try stomach once but always rubbing past it when pulling down jeans etc.  It might be that gel or an increased dose of patch would help, once you have overcome the sticking problems? I can't see that changing application site would make a huge difference to your oestrogen levels though if they are truly that low ( ie pmol/l).

There is also a surgical menopause thread for women in your position but some of the women posting are not in surgical menopause so you would need to work out what's what re advice on there. Some of the women seem to be sensitive to high doses of oestrogen where you are probably needing the opposite - an increased dose. Also you are further down the line than some of the others.

Hurdity x

[moonbeam121167]

Thanks Hurdity, I wiped with some surgical spirits before a shower ready for the new patch, I ws a few years ago told by the consultant in the meno clinic to use 2 x 100 mcg patches till I get to about 5o odd then start reducing but I went down to 100mcg about over a 1 year ago and was ok until this last 6 to 8 months when I noticed this changing, I:E weight gain, moods, craving, tried the gel a while back not sure if I liked it, not sure to try the pills

[Salad]

Hi moonbeam

That does sound low, especially with you still having other symptoms.
I don't seem to absorb Oestrogen very well so I'm using Estradot 100 patches and then have gel to add in when my low symptoms are troublesome. I usually only need one pump and not everyday.
Hope you get sorted soon x

[donnacrichton]

Hi I am having the same problem. I'm on 137mcg patch and still getting flushes. My levels were zero on a 50mcg estradot. I am getting one good day but levels drop again the day before the patch is due to be changed. I am on my 6th week at this dose not sure if this is long enough or need higher dose all so confusing😠

[moonbeam121167]

Went to see the menopause clinic yesterday and told him my results came back at 92 and he said he doesnt care what it is, he said try putting the patch anywhere on your body expect for the private parts, he was as helpful as a chocolate fire guard   had my shower last night put a new patch on my arm and today again it came off, really dont know what to do , he said use two 100mcg patches but why if 1 wont stay on, any help please x

[Hurdity]

Oh dear sorry to hear your visit to the clinic wasn't helpful - that's all you need 

I wouldn't put the patch on my arm - they are supposed to be applied below the waist. Could you try inner thigh where the skin is thin or would it not stay on here? Also if he suggest increasing then yes - find a place that it sticks well and then start to increase. Personally if it were me I would start with 150 for a few weeks or so, rather than go straight to 200 mcg and yes - in your position do ask for another blood test say in another 3 months.

Hope things start to improve soon

Hurdity x

[moonbeam121167]

Hi again

for this last week I have tried and tried to keep the patch on, it just will not stick , I have tried everything, cleaning the skin with surgial spirits everything but no it will not stick, changed the batch (box) but today I had enough so I went to see my nice lady GP and she asked me to try for a month Progynova 2mg, so well I though give it a go, she said any problems at all and I can go back on the patch, so here goes, but when do I start my first pill, today I suppose to change patch so shall I take it off and then tomorrow take my first pill and is it enough of a dose as I have been on Estradot 100mcg, I also use Testigel and Prozac 

[Hurdity]

Sorry to hear this moonbeam. I do remember you had stomach issues with tablets though - or have you sorted this now? According to the info on here Progynova 2 mg is a medium dose whereas 100 mcg patch is classed as a high dose - but depends on how well you absorb the oestrogen from the different methods. Did you try the centre of your butt cheeks for the patches? You need to wear normal knickers though not Brazilian or thongs so that the cheeks are covered, and they should stay in place.

Good luck with the tabs anyway

Hurdity x

[moonbeam121167]

Hurdity

I do still suffer from my stomach but seem to tolerate Prozac ok as long as I take it while I am eating, as for dose maybe she is thinking I will absorb it better and the 2mg will be fine but only time will tell, I have tried the patch everywhere on my body except my boobs but it just would not stick and I was fed up of either picking it up off he floor or bed, so i thought I give it a month or two and so how it will go, what dose would you say I would need then as I was on 100mcg patch