Hello Ladies
I'm good at reading and understanding thyroid blood test results, but I'm novice at sex hormones because I've never asked for copies before. Can anyone give me any advice with these? I am just 55, I am using a combined oestrogen/progesterone/testosterone compounded cream (I know you all disagree with those, but it has helped up until this year, when I now think it's not doing anything for me.). I have been on HRT for 3 years. Tried Estraderm patches with progesterone and testosterone compounded cream, but found the patch too strong when new and wore out too fast. As if I got it all at once. I also tried Utrogestan for 3 days and felt suicidal so I am not swallowing those things again, although I would try vaginally. I have had a Mirena coil for birth control in the past and it was OK. I used to be on the pill before that so I don't think I can be progesterone intolerant, it was just taking Utrogestan orally that nearly killed me.
I have just had a scan (last week). Lining measures 2mm and no other issues of any kind.
FSH 106.0 - ref range post-meno 25.8 - 134.8
Progesterone 1.9 - ref range post-meno 0.2 - 0.4
Testosterone 0.9 - ref range for adults 0 - 1.8
17-Beta oestradiol <44 - ref range post-meno <183
DHEA Sulphate 2.1 - ref range 0.26 - 11.0
I don't know how to interpret these results because I'm using an HRT product. Any ideas what this tells me?
I'm seeing the specialist next week and want to go in armed with a plan. I'm thinking of asking to try the gel and vaginal Utrogestan. But I want to try sequentially. So far I've been continuous all the way and I'm horribly bloated and slow and sad and fat. I thought if I pulled them apart I'd find out which was the problem hormone.
Apart from the test results I have terrible joint pains now in my feet, ankles, knees and lower back + shoulders. I can no longer crouch down because of my knees and because I can't get back up!!!! I feel about 100. I have lost all my ambition and enjoyment in life. I am often really sad and depressed for a few hours or days and then it fades. I almost never feel happy. I think my body is still surging, but it's not doing a very good job.
I also have hypothyroidism, and am still working my way painfully slowly up the dosing for that condition too. At this rate it will be another year before I reach my optimal dose, but I have to go so slowly or my body reacts, possibly because my sex hormones, especially oestrogen, are too low. Thyroid hormone needs good levels of oestrogen to work properly.
I look forward to hearing what you have to say.