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Author Topic: Is this normal?  (Read 1181 times)

allie007

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Is this normal?
« on: August 27, 2020, 09:25:59 PM »

Hi all
I rang my GP a few weeks ago because over the last few months I had some symptoms returning, really bad headaches, tiredness, urgency to wee, waking in the early hours, feeling quite down and just generally....meh 😣.
For the last18 months I've been using 100 Estradot patches with a pump of estrogel and feeling great on it until the last few months. I had blood tests done about a year ago, my estrogen level using just the patch was 352pmol. Because I had still had symptoms I added the gel , had tests done 3 weeks after the first lot of tests and my level was 431pmol.
My GP ordered more blood tests and I decided to stop using the gel for a week before them as I was wondering wether my symptoms were because the dose was now too high. At the moment I feel ok, I certainly dont feel worse for coming off the gel.
My results came back today and my estrogen level was 160pmol.
How can I not feel lousy at 160 when a year ago I felt rubbish when my level was 352?  I don't get it. Anyone got any ideas?
I'm 49 and haven't had a period for about 7 years but that since I had a Mirena coil.
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Hurdity

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Re: Is this normal?
« Reply #1 on: September 01, 2020, 05:51:00 PM »

Hi allie007 - sorry you're feeling rough. If you have a Mirena it's really difficult to say where you are in menopause and your oestrogen levels will still vary, especially if you still ovulate sometimes. Your natural cycle could be responsible for variation in how you're feeling? Don't get too hung up on the levels. If you're feeling OK then celebrate that but if your levels were consistently that low - ideally at your age they should be higher for protection against osteoporosis, although with patches of that strength and gel on top one would think they could be higher and in fact that is quite low for 100 mcg. Maybe you just don't absorb it well or maybe the readings are not that accurate?

Have you had other blood tests which could be responsible for some of those symptoms eg thyroid function etc? When did you have the Mirena replaced? If it was fairly recently could these be temporary sdie effects from the initial high dose of progestogen?

Maybe you also need some vaginal oestrogen if you are have urinary problems? Have these been checked out at all?

Sorry I can't be of more help but just a few ideas thrown into the mix.

Hope your symptoms are resolved soon.

Hurdity x
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allie007

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Re: Is this normal?
« Reply #2 on: September 02, 2020, 08:00:01 PM »

Hi Hurdity, thank you for your reply 😀.
I did have other blood tests and they all came back normal. Mind you, the GP that phoned me to give me the results wasn't my usual one and wasn't the best. She spent the first 10 minutes of the call asking me why I thought I was in menopause and explaining what menopause was, why it happens and going through symptoms 🙄. In the end I had to ask her to just tell me what my results were. Told her I was concerned because of how low it was and both my mum and nan have osteoporosis and she said low levels dont make a difference to protection against it.
I'm on my second Mirena, had this one in 2 years exactly.
I'm going to email my surgery tomorrow and ask for a consult with my usual GP.. Been really weepy and irritable the last few days x
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CLKD

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Re: Is this normal?
« Reply #3 on: September 03, 2020, 08:35:46 AM »

HRT does help bone strength and protects the heart .  If you need to wee then ask for some vaginal atrophy treatment as Hurdity suggested, do read our threads on the Forum so that you go armed to the surgery.  No need for any blood tests or personal examinations so try not to be fobbed off.

Brisk walking enables bone strength.  A good overall diet. 

Let us know how you get on!
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