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[3isenough]

Hey all it is me again. Anyone else out there who has failed to get any estrogen to raise blood levels/cure symptoms??

Diagnosed peri 2019, put on HRT patches and utrogestan  levels good at 450-600 estrogen.
 Total hys and ovary removal 2020,  moved to Gel as reacted to patches no more utrogestan. Levels still good

2021 had a concussion, constant migraines, skin was reacting to the gel, tried sandrena and Lenzetto same problem. Eventually had bloods taken. Estrogen was low around 180 then again end of summer 2022 Estrogen lower still at 74. I was on 5/6 pumps of estrogel and a 100 estradot patch but nothing was going in.

Mid nov 2022 had the 50mg implant. Felt a bit better until Jan sylmtoms returning, by end of Feb I persuaded GP to test my levels I am at estrgoen 174 as of 8th March. So just under 4 months into the implant.

I’m trying the 100mg implant next week but does anyone have any idea why I can’t get the estrgoen I need. I am symptomatic so aware that my level is too low. In theory with double the implant I would be at 350ish after 4 months. I felt good at 600!!!

[sheila99]

Do you have any other health conditions that might affect it? Just asking because someone else had a similar experience and it was because of the other condition. Can't remember the details but I can try to find it if you think it's relevant.

[vintagefiend]

Hi 3isenough

I was just going over old posts and found you!! and note that we've both had bso/hysterectomy- both in 2020

where we differ is that I find oestradiol hard to take and it can feel too much, too quick! whereas you're having the opposite experience. BUT I still think it's worth comparing notes and I'm thrilled that you've had some positive response to the implant

also where we differ is that I can't tolerate the tiniest bit of testosterone without obtaining man levels!
I think some of my issues are to do with low shbg/sedentary life/overweight etc etc and I'm really trying to overcome all that

I'm really interested in the implant and your experience though it terrifies me at the same time

so pleased you felt better on it- I've only recently been googling implant but found experiences whereby it ran out too quickly- could this be what's happening with you?

it certainly seems as though the 100mg is the way to go for you so best of luck with that.
do you know what your shbg is? are you quite slender? hope these questions not too nosy- just that I think slimmer women sometimes need more hrt.  I mean, that's anecdotal but it's my two-penneth

And you have had your ovaries removed so it seems reasonable that you will need a lot!!

are your testosterone levels ok?

fingers crossed for you
Vintage x

[3isenough]

Thanks for the replies. Sheila - yes I have autoimmune hashimotos, and I suspect ceoliacs.  Autoimmune runs hard and fast in the family so my guess would be that.

@Vintage I am slim-ish I’m 44, was finally agreed to be peri at 40 but I was symptomatic from 33 ish. My SHBG is that the ratio? Was ok when the estrogen was better, I have been on testosterone since pre the hysterectomy and I have had to take high doses of that to get it into a good level. I was 1/7 of the old sachets and now 1/4 of the new which is 10mcg/day as opppsed to the 5mcg for a normal person on 1/10th of the old sachets. I am now technically above range at 5.7 I think but no acne, excess hair or bollocks that I have noticed  so I guess I am just the opposite.

[Wrensong]

Sorry, can't help on the implant question but just had to say thank you for this . . .  You've put a smile on my face on this dark, rainy afternoon.

but no . . . bollocks that I have noticed 

 

Good luck with the post BSO hormone issues.  I hear you on the complexity of it, being a fully paid up member of the hypothyroid Butchered S*ddin' Ovaries Club myself.
Wx

[Kathleen]

Hello 3isenough

I don't have personal experience of implants but I wondered if you were obtaining yours from your GP or a  Meno specialist? I ask because my Consultant said that he had many clinic patients using implants but after a while these women would ask for the implant to be replaced earlier than planned because their symptoms were returning.  He said that infact they needed less oestrogen not more and that some were now doing well on very low doses. The consultant told me all this to persuade me that reducing my dose of gel was likely the way to go. I did infact reduce and although I am okay in many ways I do still have some symptoms and I have an appointment with this consultant next month.

I thought that I would mention all this to you just to give you an idea about the opinion some medics have regarding implants.

I am sorry that I can't be of more help to you but hopefully other ladies will be along soon.


Wishing you well and take care.

K.

[vintagefiend]

kathleen that's interesting re less is more- as I've got older I feel like this might be the case for me

3isenough- thank you for answering my questions- yes, i think oestrogen pushes shbg up and testosterone pulls it down and testosterone is particularly susceptible to shbg in the first place- so if low shbg, testosterone runs amok as higher levels are needed to control it as i have found! and with higher shbg it takes a long time to get into system.

I dont mind a new pair of bollocks if I feel human again- it's a good trade-off

let us know how the 100 implant goes- it sounds promising

[3isenough]

Glad my lack of bollocks amuses 

I will update with the 100 implant and it is through a private consultant as my NHS meno clinic doesn’t / can’t do implants. So they advised going elsewhere and now that I have, they no longer want me on their patient list ! Which is frustrating as a) it isn’t working and b) I still need to sort the VA and the testosterone prescriptions.

I was told initially by the private clinic that they don’t like to use the 100 as levels get to high and then symptoms appear when they are still in the 1000s. But clearly this isn’t me! Whilst I def want to treat the lack of estrogen and quickly, I really want to understand why I don’t hold onto it. With the skin prep it was reasonable to say it wasn’t absorbing but the implant, I can feel it is smaller now than when it went in. So I can’t be not absorbing it.

[vintagefiend]

god that's appalling re the nhs meno clinic no longer having you as a patient- the fkn cheek when you're scrambling around-and paying- for other docs because of their inadequacies
and now you have to get testosterone from somewhere- i'm so bloody angry on your behalf!! I think you can get it privately online- people on this forum will know
i do read about some women needing a lot of oestrogen just to get anywhere- it's not unheard of especially in those without ovaries- docs must be aware of this??
could you have your shbg checked?- just might explain your absorption issues?? obviously this is very much my layman's understanding but to be honest i dont think much to the various meno clinics anyway!!
good luck- i honestly think the fact that the implant worked somewhat for you is really positive

[vintagefiend]

sorry think i've repeated myself re your shbg levels- i'm very foggy-headed on no hrt!

[3isenough]

Thanks vintage. Your rage is appreciated on my behalf.

I have today been double implanted… the consultant is adamant I can’t have anymore until 10 months time  so I’m desperately hoping this raises my levels - and when they drop I will have to tackle the situation then. I don’t think they checked my SHGB levels this time but fgettign the blood results from the gp secretary was like cracking the enigma machine.

Watch this space…

[vintagefiend]

very best of luck xx

[Kathleen]

Hello again 3isenough

I also wish you good luck with your implant.

I am a patient of Newson Health and they prescribe Androfeme as their testosterone. It is an Australian product made specifically for women, it is also quite expensive.

 I didn't notice any benefit so I stopped using it after about a year but other women claim that it is very helpful. I don't use anything for VA but I understand that NH provides all the usual products to help in that area.

You may need deep pockets of you are being forced to go to a private clinic and it is indeed unfortunate that the NHS has discharged you.
I suspect that the only reason I have an appointment at an NHS clinic is because they still have me on their books for HRT.


Wishing you well and keep us updated.

K.

 

[Wrensong]

Hi again 3isenough, wishing you very good luck with your implants.  Please do let us know how this goes for you.  Sending all good vibes.
Wx

[sheila99]

This is the post about a failed implant
https://www.menopausematters.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,47885.msg775567.html#msg775567
Are you supposed to be able to feel the implant? I've had one for testosterone not oestrogen but I couldn't feel it so I wonder if yours may be encapsulated.