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[AKatieD]

Anyone experienced using 4 pumps Oestrogel consistently over several years and blood levels
now fallen (used to be 300- 400 nmol/l and now down to 144?)

Asking as joints complaining and anxious, when wasn't on higher levels.

[Dotty]

Could be that your own levels of oestrogen have fallen or you may not be absorbing the Oestrogel.

[bombsh3ll]

Blood levels really aren't helpful on gel due to its pharmacokinetics - it spikes quickly and then drops to low plasma levels equally rapidly.

However your symptoms suggest under treatment, probably as dotty says because either your own endogenous hormones have declined or you are absorbing less than previously.

Formulations can change as manufacturers try to save costs, and whilst the concentration of estradiol is the same, the altered carrier can be less efficient.

[jillydoll]

Hi
I've had the same problem.
I've had low level anxiety for months, making me really miserable,  I've been on 4 pumps gel for ages, so I tried an extra half pump on the evening before bed, & I feel so much better.
That inside feeling of the jitters has gone and I'm more settled. 
It's trial and error until we get the right dose. 
Xx

[Suziemc]

I was finding the same, previously happy on 2 pumps and then increased to 3. When this didnt seem to be enough to keep symptoms at bay I started to weigh the doses as the amount the pump appeared to be inconsistent in what it was dispensing. I found big inconsistencies so I pumped enough each day to equal 3 correct pumps.

I settled on 3.5 for a while but when I mentioned to GP that I wanted to increase to 4 she switched me to Lenzetto as she said she had several patients complaining about oestrogel.

Try weighing your doses and see if you're actually getting the right amount in each pump. I bought cheap jewellers scales to do this.

[AKatieD]

Thanks all.

Yes, already weigh the Oestrogel so sure that it is not a dodgy pump or inadequate amount.

Yes, it could be natural variation or the effect of changing other things (hypothyroid and have adjusted that dose).

Consultant suggested that it is too much gel, so not drying properly, but don't think that is likely as not changed over the years. She suggested trying Sandrena as less gel volume. Will give it a go altho think her 2 sachets is going to be a lower dose than the 4 pumps so not hopeful.

[Epona52]

Hi ,
Can I ask did you apply gel before your blood tests? I have been using four pumps for years now too and have the same symptoms joint pain, anxiety and a bit depressed, I had my bloods done yesterday and I left the gel out until after bloods were taken as reading was in the thousands last time and the gel had been applied to my arm, hope you find some relief soon
X

[AKatieD]

No I did not appy before the test.

I am also hypothyroid and have learnt from that that it is best not to take any meds before the test as otherwise you measure at some point on an increasing blood level curve but you don't know where. Measure just before applying gel and you have a baseline.

I also don't do fingerprick trsts for sex hormones as found got one off crazy level when I did ( like you mention). I deduced that even though I wear gloves to apply the gel, some was still left on my skin and contaminated the test.

[AKatieD]

And also wonderif we should be testing free hormone levels. They used to use total levels for thyroid but found the results less reliable than using free ( unbound) hormone levels.

You can do that for testosterone but could not find a free oestradiol test