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[wuzzie]

Just had the results of a full hormonal blood test which showed low estrogen levels of 90 pmol/L.  This is after being on Estrogel 2 pumps and Utrogestan for 5 years.  Main symptoms are anxiety on waking, internal buzzing, poor sleep and burning mouth.  I am booked in now with my private menopause clinic but just wondered what the ideal number should be and if the low levels could be causing my symptoms.

Should add I had been rubbing the gel into the front of my thighs until it was gone but my GP has told me I should be should applying it on my inner thighs and letting it soak in.  Not really sure that has any bearing on it, but I’ve started doing what she recommends.

[Jopurpose]

That’s low.
The meno clinic consultant told me a year ago that they liked to see oestradiol above 300 to manage symptoms. My GP and meno clinic have since revised this down to above 250.
Many say levels fluctuate too much to rely on blood test results but I’m 59 and post-menopausal so results should be more stable.
Last year I had 2 results just above 200 but my recent test came in above 300 and  I’m still feeling crap so maybe the blood tests aren’t reliable, even at my age?
As people have helpfully advised me on here, your symptoms are more important.
As an aside, when I went up from 2 pumps to 4, the benefit was immense (for a few months).

[wuzzie]

That’s interesting thank you.  Why didn’t you stay on 4 pumps if you found it so beneficial if you don’t mind me asking.  Presumably you want to be on the lowest dose you can get away with which is understandable…..

[bombsh3ll]

It can be very difficult to get an accurate blood level on gel, as it peaks very quickly in the bloodstream then tails off quickly too.

However the fact you are symptomatic, plus a very subtherapeutic blood level together suggest your dose is too low.

I can't speak to the application site as I have never used gel personally, however many people seem to rub it on their arms.

By all means change the site but if things don't improve I would pursue dose titration.

[Jopurpose]

I was on 4 pumps of gel until last summer and I was no longer feeling the benefit so my GP switched me to the max dose of Lenzetto spray which also did nothing. I’m currently on the max dose of Sandrena and still suffering badly with symptoms.

[Fizwhizz]

I was feeling ok, not amazing, on 230pmol oestrogen levels. I fell off a cliff mood wise and results are now 183pmol. I’ve stuck another patch on from 50mg to 75mg Estradot and am trying to hang on in there. I’m not absorbing testosterone very well or thyroid meds and vitamins. I feel quite peculiar. It’s hard to describe but am wondering currently if I have ADHD it’s so bad. I have a very dry mouth at nighttime now too.  90pmol is very low so I can understand you being symptomatic.

[Aubrey]

Hi Wuzzie,

It's really hard to know where to apply the gel, is it? And absorption rates are completely individual, too. I'm currently putting it on my inner and outer thigh because I use so much my inner thigh doesn't have enough surface area. I was putting it on my arms and think this increased absorption, symptoms under control, and I'm sure I don't absorb as much via thigh because some of my symptoms have returned since putting it there, namely, RLS, BO and no temp' control. I stopped putting it on my arms because after years of this the skin on my arms is looking crepey, and falkey, and isn't anywhere else. I think it's the alcohol in the gel.

Anyway, thighs are not so good for absorption, try the arms!