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[joziel]

yellowsunflower if you comment in this thread, we will get notifications and see it. If you start a new thread with results, we might miss it.

I can help with the thyroid results too, as that's the exact test I have to keep doing - the Blue Horizons Platinum test - as it's one of the few which includes rT3. Hopefully I won't need to keep doing it once my T4 dose is stabilised and we know the rT3 is okay.... because it's expensive!

[YellowSunflower]

Thank you so much for helping me,I do truly appreciate it,as I am at a loss .So once my randox comes back I will add all my results to this page.Ive noticed I can only reply to certain people as in if two people have replied I can only reply to the last person as the reply button is not at the end of the first person's post- oh my goodness if I was reading what I had just typed I would not understand it but I hope you do.Yes the platinum tests seemed to have everything you could want from a thyroid test and more with the vitamins.I just need as much information about what's happening to me so I can get help and try to figure out a way forward.Its fantastic that you know about thyroid issues as well as menopause because so many symptoms seem to be intertwined.I started hrt two weeks after starting levothyroxine and I said to the menopause nurse "should I really be starting hrt now or should I wait until my thyroid is stable" she said it's best to start it now all together but I'm not sure if that was the correct way to go about it.

[SundayGirl]

There are several posters on here with thyroid issues. Some of us have been dealing with this for many years, me included. 

How long have you been taking thyroxine? Are your levels now stable or are you still adjusting your Levo?

I'm not sure why your nurse recommended to start more than one thing at once. It can make things more complicated not knowing what is doing what.

[joziel]

I think it's fine to start both at the same time, better than starting one and then having to change everything up when you begin the other... Ultimately you need to optimise both.

A lot of people can't be optimal on levothyroxine alone and also need T3 (like me), but that is not available on the NHS and you have to get it privately. But let's wait and see what your results are.

You don't need to reply to us for us to get notifications, once we have participated in this thread we will get a notice under 'new replies' at the top of the page even if you haven't replied directly to us.

[YellowSunflower]

Just received my hormones results.I will list them for you so hopefully you can help me figure out what to do next.Again thank you so much,I am truly grateful for your help and support.
Oestradiol:209 pmol/l
FSH:6.70u/l
LH:3.0u/l
Progesterone 25.60nmol/l
Prolactin 313MIU/l
Testosterone 0.087 nmol/l
SHBG:79.10nmol/l
Free androgen index <0.11

Hope you have a fantastic day.

[joziel]

As suspected, that is low estrogen. 270pmol is the bare minimum for bone health, so it's not surprising you are experiencing osteoarthritis and joint pain etc.

Your estradiol should really be at least 300+ but the majority of women do best with it between 450-650pmol.

Your progesterone isn't bad at all, there - especially with such low estrogen. You need to get through the fatigue after taking the estrogen and get the levels up. There is such a thing as a 'paradoxical reaction' in many aspects of functional medicine and some people experience it with hormones as well. It means that as your body gets what it needs, things can at first feel a bit worse....

Your testosterone is non-existent. You should consider testosterone as well, if you are not already taking it. It is an essential female hormone like the other two. To get it on the NHS, you will need to insist you have low libido - and even then many doctors will refuse to prescribe it to women, depending on where you live. But you can get it privately for about £150/year from an online menopause clinic.

Do post ranges any time you post results, because they differ from lab to lab.

[YellowSunflower]

Thank you so much for looking over my results.How quickly can I change my dose of oestrogel?as in do I have to wait 3 months?I'm on x2 pumps atm.So I should get some testosterone,and I think your correct about the doctor,he would probably say no-so I need to look online and see were I can get it from(I'm sure I've read somewhere that boots or superdrug do it...)I do promise to just deal with the fatigue brought on by oestrogel,I need the bone support as you said so I do need to up my dose.
I am doing the blue horizon platinum test next Wednesday,do you know how long it will take to come back,I think it says on the website it takes longer because of the reverse T3.Im sure oestrogel has caused my levothyroxine not to work as well,I just feel it but online it said it should not effect my TSH/T4 levels but I think it does,unless it's just because I feel horrible anyway and have no testosterone -what are the benefits of testosterone?how do you feel with low testosterone?again thank you for helping and supporting me.

[joziel]

No, you should not need to wait 3 months to change your dose of Oestrogel. You can increase up to 4 pumps via your GP but they will need to agree to the increase or you will run out.

The Platinum Blue Horizon test takes about 3 weeks to come back.

Thyroid and sex hormones work together and put demands on each other and it's normal to need more of one or the other when taking both.

See the Balance-Menopause.com website for info on testosterone and HRT generally.

[YellowSunflower]

Thank you again for all the great information.Could I ask...can I still be prescribed testosterone if I am taking levothyroxine and a low dose blood pressure tablet?I was filling in the superdrug form for testosterone and they what to know about medication,but there would be no point filling it in if they are just going to say no?
I don't know know what to do.

[joziel]

Yes, there is no reason you can't have testosterone whilst on those medications.

I don't know what the requirements are of Superdrug but you might be better off going to a menopause clinic online - they offer testosterone only appointments at a cheaper rate. I'd think the experience of the doctors and knowledge etc would be much greater.

[YellowSunflower]

Thank you again,I am taking up so much of your time(I'm sorry) but you are extremely knowledgeable which I very much appreciate.
Could you tell me what online clinic I should contact?I know if you type it into Google lots come up-but I would prefer one that just deals in the testosterone part,which like you said would be more cost effective (times are hard for everyone).

[joziel]

Newson Health offer testosterone only consultations. That's where I go, for all HRT.

[YellowSunflower]

Thank you.I will contact Newsom Health and see if they can help me.
I did a small amount of tidying round in the garden yesterday and today I cannot move,my bones are pounding in pain(if thats a thing).It is horrendous and I noticed whilst trying to carry things I have lost so much muscle mass,I'm so weak-two/two and a half years ago I definitely did not feel this way.I grow all my own fruit/veg only have a smallish garden but I love doing it but this year I'm really struggling and it's just going to get worse.I truly feel that testosterone is the missing link for me and my body-im not expecting miracles just to feel that I can do a small amount in the garden and not suffer the way I am today.
I realize now why some people call it the change as I have changed mentally/physically since starting the menopause,I just become afraid that I won't find myself/be myself again.