Hi there everyone
As most of you know I've been on patches more or less the whole time I've been on HRT - since 2007, apart from a brief foray into Sandrena gel a few years ago because gel seemed to be so popular, but swiftly returned to patches that have always worked, at the right dose.
However for various reasons, after asking for an HRT review due to spotting and the fact that I hadn't had a review for some years, my wonderful gynae specialist GP (also 70!) whom I've known for years, gave me an MOT of blood tests including all the hormones (will do a separate thread about this).
We discovered my estradiol level (on a cut down 75 mcg patch) was only 163 pmol/l. I had recently cut it down to approx 50 mcg on her recommendation (due to spotting etc) and this was two days after patch change. She decreed this was not sufficient and preferred women to be on between 200 and 400 max - the few occasions my levels have been tested it's never been much more than 200 but as I haven't lost height and I'm over 70 and have no symptoms then this would be fine for me.
She said "Have you ever tried Lenzetto?" !!! Well - I hadn't even considered changing at all - just was hoping to go back to cutting less off my patch with her agreement, so she would continue prescribing 75 mcg, and I would have about 65 mcg or so.
So....I agree and started Lenzetto this morning. She said 2 sprays were equivalent to 50 mcg ( which is less than I have been using anyway) but looking at the BMS charts it should be 3? Is this what others use?
Also when I sprayed the second one the liquid ran down my arm rather than staying on the circular delivery place? Does this happen to others?
She also plans to retest my estradiol in 4 weeks, and see how I get on with it, but I also am concerned about getting a false reading (due to concentration gradient) if I apply regularly to my inner lower forearms as directed, since the recommended application site is near the vein where bloods are drawn, so I was thinking of applying to inner thigh (also suggested as a potential application site). Anyone else use it this way?
I realise there are not that many users and I will look at other posts but any useful tips welcome!
Strange to be changing HRT at my age and stage! The best thing is she is totally in support of my continuing with HRT as long as I want because of the benefits and as long as I am vigilant.
Hurdity x