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[Popmummy]

Last week (Thursday, Friday) I decided to try one pump of estrogel instead of two pumps. I did this for only two days as started spotting. I did it because I’ve recently had blood tests to see if I can have testosterone. My T level was nearly 0 but my estrogen was high normal. In my wisdom I thought that as it was high (843) I could reduce it as no need for it to be that high.
Anyway I woke on Sunday with anxiety sky high. Health anxiety kicked in and then crying. I still feel like it today.
I suppose what I want to know is whether just those two days could have any impact like this.
It also coincides with me starting Testosterone which I began on Friday.
Any help or advice. X

[Popmummy]

Am really struggling with anxiety. Can’t believe that just having 1 pump of gel for two days would have this impact on me. Am now wondering if it’s just ‘me’ or if the testosterone I started taking on Friday last week is the cause.

[bombsh3ll]

Yes, halving a dose of any medication is likely to result in a return of the condition it is intended to treat.

Assuming clinical guidelines are being followed by your prescriber, and you are on "the lowest FULLY EFFECTIVE dose" for your needs, then by definition half of that isn't going to achieve this.

Due to the pharmacokinetics of gel, which peaks rapidly in the plasma, then exits the plasma equally rapidly, blood tests for estradiol whilst using gel are essentially meaningless, and efficacy can really only be assessed clinically.

There is also high potential for contamination from the skin.

You could have tested at a different time of day and obtained a much lower result.

There may be some scope for following secondary markers such as FSH or SHBG but currently little evidence exists for this.

[Popmummy]

Thanks Bomb

I can’t pretend I fully understand but essentially I get the bit about it having an impact if reduced.

I’m a Headteacher and school has been very stressful recently- just so many balls to juggle. I suppose I like to believe that the level of anxiety I’m experiencing is down to something simple like the HRT as that would be easy to accept. Otherwise I’m left desperately looking for reasons for feeling like this. That in turn then seems to become health anxiety 😟

[Firebearer]

Hi there, I decided to reduce my dose of oestrogel from 4 pumps to 3. Felt terrible: brain fog returned, breakthrough bleeding and generally feeling v suboptimal. I won’t be trying that again! I suspect your symptoms are due to halving your dose.  Hope your feeling better now x

[CazzaC]

I also tried reducing my gel. One pump less and I was sobbing for no reason, bad anxiety and low mood. I am thinking that it is definitely the reduction in gel. I went back to my normal dose

[AKatieD]

Atrial fibrillation for me if reduce it suddenly