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[Lancasterblue]

Hi, I had a female hormone blood test from randox health and the oestradiol level has come back as almost 50x the normal level.
All other hormone levels are in normal range.
My GP didn’t seem interested and I’m not even sure she understood how high it was, but I am worried about potential hormone producing tumours which is really all it could be if the result is accurate.
GP had other blood tests done and all are normal except high b12, but did not repeat female hormone test.
I contacted randox who advised it could be contamination due to use of oestrogel (albeit 14 hours before the blood tests done).
The test was with Tasso device on my upper arm. I put one pump of gel on each arm every night before bed.

Randox said they will redo the test at a clinic, but I won’t be able to get to one for a couple of weeks. Same with GP appointment.

I am a bit worried and just wondered if anyone has had a reading as high as 76217.0 pmol/l

I am f52 not pregnant, no fertility treatment.
Do have usual peri menopause symptoms of fatigue, bloating, urinary urgency. Current period much heavier than has been for approx 2 years and bright red as opposed to usual dusty brown. Also had some clots.

[Asher]

This is more than likely because you use estrogel on your arms giving a false reading.
I recently had a test done with randox health and used the Tasso device but I put the estrogel on my inner thighs to avoid a false high result.
all advice around using the finger prick tests for hormones is don’t use it if you have handled gel in the last two weeks due to false high results, I imagine the same applies to the Tasso device if you put estrogel on your arms you need to stop using it there two weeks before doing the test .
If you are worried switch to using it on your inner thighs for two weeks and then re test for a more accurate result.
Don’t worry too much it’s almost certainly a false result .

[Lancasterblue]

Thank you so much for the reassurance.
2weeks? Wow! I had no idea!!
Can I ask where you read that? I don’t know if I missed it somewhere in their info or they just didn’t even mention this?

[bombsh3ll]

A similar thing happened to me when on desogestrel, in my case I had developed a hormonally active ovarian cyst.

Result consistent with second trimester of pregnancy!

What I would do first is get a repeat test, with a venous blood draw. Many chemists do this for about £30.

Shower before your appointment and do not apply any gel anywhere until after your test.

If it is still grossly elevated you need a pelvic ultrasound.

[Lancasterblue]

I’m sorry to hear this and hope you are well now.
This is my fear.
Good advice though, I will get a repeat venous test either via randox in-clinic or with another GP.
Thank you for replying!

[Asher]

I read it on the medichecks website regarding the use of finger prick tests and using your hands to apply hormones giving false high results .
This is why randox brought in the Tasso device to avoid using finger prick tests when applying hormones with your hands they actually don’t make it clear on their website they should though as they are probably assuming women only apply it to the inner thighs .
For sure if you apply estrogel to your arms and use the Tasso it won’t be an accurate measurement.
I only use randox because they are cheaper than medichecks and no where else seems to use the Tasso , only problem I find is they are hit and miss with getting results back to me sometimes quick sometimes it’s ages .
Honestly don’t worry about it too much but obviously see your GP and explain your worries about the high test result to put your mind at rest .

[Hippolyta]

I have just done a Tasso blood test and my oestrogen result was 5600. I do use gel but never on my arms and I don't rub it in with my fingers so I don't know how the result was this high. My last reading on a venous blood sample was 91.

My progesterone level was also ridiculously high and that is a capsule so should not have affected the results at all.

The lesson I have learned is that for accurate results it has to be venous blood.

[bombsh3ll]

A lot of people are wasting money on unnecessary tests that are not clinically helpful anyway, especially if using gel due to the pharmacodynamics - it spikes rapidly in the plasma then drops off equally rapidly.

However I do believe testing has a role in verifying absorption and ensuring a therapeutic level of estradiol.

I personally use medichecks or forthwithlife, and I always get a venous sample, and these results have always been credible in my case, including correctly pointing to a hormonally active ovarian cyst.

My advice would always be think about what information you hope to gain from the test, is it clinically useful, will it help guide treatment and is there a normative or therapeutic range that I am aiming for? Somebody mentioned testing progesterone - that has no clinical utility at all in this context, an endometrial scan would tell you if your dose is adequate.

If there is a genuine indication for the test, paying a bit extra for a reliable method is better than a DIY job with a result you are left questioning and end up repeating anyway.