I thought I'd come back to update this thread. My actual estrogen was that high. I was paying privately under the Louise Newson clinic. I contacted the clinic to express my concerns about the high level, and that fact that since going up to two pumps of gel I felt increased anxiety, had more headaches and most worryingly, was flooding between periods and also periods were lasting a lot longer. I explained that this was a complete change in cycle for me and that it came on quite quickly. The Newson Clinic told me that the flooding was ok, that the level was ok, and told me to put my dose back up to 2 pumps. This just did not make sense to me. I even asked them - don't I need a scan to check my womb? They said no.
I contacted the lab who did the blood test. They also said - it's all fine. I KNOW my own body and was not happy with the responses. Plus I was getting housebound from the flooding. So I went to see my GP - who immediately referred me for an ultrasound - no questions asked. I had the scan within two weeks and the first scan looked ok. But when they did the transvaginal scan a huge polyp was visible (2.5 cm long which they told me was very large). I was immediately referred for hysteroscopy. I had hysteroscopy two weeks after the scan. The gynaecological consultant who removed the polyp said it was extremely rare for someone as small as me to have such a large polyp (I'm size 6 and very light) and that I was to stop all estrogen immediately until the biopsy and results were back. I saw it on the screen during the op and it was huge - it was actually blocking one of my fallopian tubes it was so big. The flooding had been caused by parts of the womb trying to shed, but getting stuck behind the polyp - then freeing themselves at certain points and flooding out. The consultant told me that polpys form due to high estrogen levels in the blood. I'm still waiting for the results to come back. If hyperplasia shows they will put me on daily progesterone. I still feel awful and feel really let down. Especially as I paid so much privately. Thank goodness for the NHS. I don't fear the results - I've heard nothing so far which is good news and will chase for the results later this week - bout I know in my heart it was the estrogen. So why does my body end up with such high levels from such a small dose.
Also, before I went to the GP and the scan, I had lowered my dose to 1 pump for 3 months. I did a repeat test 12 weeks after lowering my dose. The results showed half the previous level. They came in at 5000 pmol. So it's pretty obvious to me that it WAS so high in my blood and not a contaminated sample.