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[bluebird68]

I'm 56 post meno
My oestrodial result is 206pmol which fall within the range as sufficient.
I struggle with brain fog and feel hot
What is your view on this? I have been struggling for years with mental fog mainly and recently feeling hot just moving the vaccume cleaner around. I'm on 100mcg patch and increased progesterone to 200 vaginally. Thank you.

[bombsh3ll]

If you still have symptoms I would consider increasing irrespective of blood tests.

Regarding your levels, whilst there are limitations to the accuracy of these, particularly if gel is used, I personally wouldn't be happy with less than around 400pmol/L, however people's treatment goals are all different - mine is healthy longevity, others are happy with palliation of vasomotor symptoms.

The minimum level cited in NHS literature as providing bone protection for most women is 250pmol/L.

[sheila99]

I think you're in the 'can still crawl so no further action required' category  . The NHS are increasingly reluctant to give you more than 100mcg however little you absorb. I wouldn't be happy with that level particularly as it doesn't give you bone protection. Good luck getting any more from your GP, you may have to go private and fund it yourself.

[bluebird68]

Thanks for your replies. I thought as much. X

[chopsuey]

Maybe ask to try gel instead (assuming you've not already tried that) and see if you absorb that better, on the grounds that you are still symptomatic ? Otherwise, yes, you may have to consider going privately for a top up.

[bombsh3ll]

If you are healthy I would try oral before shelling out for private treatment.

It is much easier to achieve therapeutic levels on oral estradiol at doses considered standard because;

a) oral doses were established based on clinical efficacy before the WHI. Most transdermal products joined the party later with dosages driven by fear rather than outcomes.

b) the mouth was designed for getting things into the body whereas the skin was designed to keep things out.

I'm on oral estradiol in the combined pill Zoely at a relatively low dose yet I achieve around 400pmol/L consistently.

I haven't grown a second head or any of the things social media thinks will happen from taking oral estradiol.

I can also exercise, swim, shower and get dressed etc when I want, afford my private prescription comfortably as it is much cheaper than self funding patches or gel, and I don't pay for any consultations or buy rolls of hypafix to keep patches on, and I don't have ugly black sticky squares all over my body where they have been.

[bluebird68]

I have tried gels and even 4 pumps was low absorbing. I may have to resort to oral and see if that is a better journey. The journey so far has been exhausting. Gels, sprays and patches haven't been much of a benefit however I did pull my patch off recently in anger, went to bed and woke with palpitations. So, a new patch was put back on...sigh! I feel like an addict. Thanks again ladies. The best support network I have come across.