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[pepperminty]

Hi Ladies
I know that we should not rely on blood tests etc.

 I read that blood tests for estrogen levels can be less reliable if you take oral estrogen than if you have transdermal. Can anyone tell me the reason behind this please?

There does not appear to be anything on the internet. Only that they are not a reliable if taking oral estrogen. There must be a reason behind this?

Peppermintyxx

[CLKD]

The reason is probably due to hormonal levels rising and falling 24/7.  Unless blood tests are taken at exactly the 'right' moment in the day results will vary.

Where did U read this ?

[Kathleen]

Hello pepperminty.

I use Oestrogel as my HRT and when I had my blood tests I was told not to use the gel on the morning of the test. As I split my dose and apply some gel at bedtime as well as the morning my meno doctor said I had to miss the nighttime dose as well. All of this was to ensure that the test would record an accurate level of my hormones.
It is easy to miss an application of gel and even remove a patch but perhaps oral HRT stays in your system for longer so obtaining a 'fasting' type level is more difficult. Having said that anyone taking thyroid meds will be told to miss a tablet before a blood test but perhaps HRT is different?

I am not a medic and there may be another explanation of course but skipping a Transdermal dose of oestrogen is easy to do so that could be the reason for the difference.

Take care.

K.

[pepperminty]

Thanks Ladies, ( i read it on DR Newson's site) .

Yes that makes sense, so the fact that i had my tablet the day before may be a good thing when I had the test.

PMXX

[CLKD]

Let us know how you get on?

[pepperminty]

Hi CLKD,

at the moment I am not doing so well and trying to work out why. I have had the test and it shows a drop all be it small ish , but looking at my previous stats I think it is why I feel so crap. The NHS specialist Gynae' I saw gave me the green light to increase my estrogen as my scan came back within normal limits . They still want to keep an eye on me.

So I think I am further down the meno line  and need more estrogen to maintain as I am on a low dose. I am also going to go to the Newson clinic as I want to maximise my chances of getting change in HRT to transdermal right. But she has a long waiting list.

PMXX

[Tinkerbell]

I have to get blood tests done, i didn't realise you should stop, i use my Estrogel at night. I have spoken to a GP today who seems to want to get me off of HRT so think i shall skip my dose the night before then.

[CLKD]

Why would a GP 'want you off' HRT!  This is a personal choice and if a woman is healthy with no contra-indications .......... 

[lillith112]

Oral estrogen tablets have to bypass the digestive system and go through the liver in order to be absorbed, it means a smaller amount of it gets absorbed and I think it takes a lot longer to come out of your system.. With transdermal patches, gel, it bypasses digestion and liver so you absorb all of it directly into your skin, blood vessels. I think your levels drop quickly when you stop this type.