Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: mandy43 on March 04, 2014, 06:18:19 PM
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Hi
Does anyone know why these results would come back inconclusive and I have to have them repeated?
For most folk this would be an easy thing to do, but I suffer with really bad health anxiety and it takes me all my time to bring myself to have blood tests done, but to have them done again is making me worry there is something wrong... anyone else had this problem with their results. Help/support appreciated xx
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Hi mandy43 and welcome to MM
If I get this wrong I hope others will be along to give the right advice.
Blood tests for hormones are notoriously unreliable. If you are peri menopausal then the FSH and Estriol levels will fluctuate. Either your FSH was highish which indicates your ovaries are working too hard to produce oestrogen but your oestrogen level was still quite normal OR your oestrogen level was low and FSH was normal range which may have just been puzzling!!! In other words they need to do another set of tests to get a clearer picture.
It's good they are prepared to do a further blood test as many doctors will just do one and declare you are not menopausal despite the presence of meno symptoms.
Do tell us more about yourself e.g. your age, current meno symptoms etc. so we can advice you better. DG x
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Hi Mandy,
DG is right, it fluctuates so much .It also depends how old you are. The younger you are the more it will probably fluctuate. It's normal to do that test at least twice anyway in order to get a conclusive picture. I know they won't diagnoze POF on 1 test alone.I had 2 tests 4 weeks apart -I'm 39 and diagnozed with premature ovarian failure
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FSH tests are very, very variable.
When I had mine done (at 54) is had to wait 6 months between tests.
Like DG says, it's good they are willing to do more than one test.
Don't worry, it won't help anything, least of all you.
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Thanks for the replies ladies.
I'm 43 and My first symptoms started last year and were purely period related, as I remember. I skipped one at the beginning of the year and then they were coming 2/3 wks apart. Then went to every 5 weeks and then in November I had my last one. They were due on Xmas day, but never showed up. That is when the hot flushes started and night sweats. This went on until end of January. The symptoms were very severe and when I ovulated at the end of January, it all stopped and I felt normal for 2 weeks. Then all the meno symptoms returned and I saw the doc and she tested me for fbc/thyroid and the above tests. The day after the tests my periods returned (friday just gone). My fbc was satisfactory/ thyroid inconclusive and the above tests the same. I am wondering now if the timing of the tests and periods starting the next day, may be the reason they hormone tests are inconclusive, although I think they told my husband they just couldn't get a reading? Not sure.
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mandy43 - I had a premature meno but I was in my mid 30s when it started!!!!
Your symptoms may well be signs of peri-menopause so I'm pleased they are monitoring you. If you are peri meno it is very important you have HRT to protect your bones and heart. Do read up all the info under the headings too the left of this screen - it will help you to understand things better and hopefully help you feel less anxious.
We're here to help you so keep posting with questions.
DG x
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the tests are supposed to be done on day 3 of your cycle then again after day 14.
I had 1 blood test done, as part of a whole range of tests, and was told by my gynae that I as post meno- which was amusing as I had regular periods and went on to have more for almost 2 years up to 54! He laughed and agreed it showed how unreliable the tests are.
In my case it didn't matter - I was over the age of average meno anyway so no need to keep testing me, just treat the symptoms. But for you, it would help to know as you'd need HRT as DG says.
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It really does help me to have your input ladies. I am supposed to go back and repeat the tests but I may just wait and see if my next period shows up or not. I know some ladies go through the whole menopause without visiting a doctor but my symptoms were so strong it left me feeling really ill. I will keep posting and thanks so much xx
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Even if you have few symptoms, if you are peri meno it is really important to take HRT as DG says because of your age in order to protect your heart and bones. It's good your doc is monitoring you.
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mandy43 - Waiting for another period to appear is not going to help as you could have these erratic periods and meno symptoms for years and all the while be deficient in oestrogen and suffer the consequences in the long term.
At the beginning of my symptoms (I was mid 30s),like you, I thought this was just a blip and things would settle down again so I put off taking HRT for nearly a year. Don't put off the tests - you are lucky to have a GP who is taking this seriously. I have to see my GP tomorrow to discuss the Vaginal Atrophy I am now suffering from and I'm almost having panic attacks - I hate going to the doctor etc. You describe the meno symptoms you had as really strong so tackle this before they really affect your quality of life. Good luck DG x
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mandy- DG is right.
You may well have another period on time or you may not- you might have short cycles ( mine dropped to 17 days at one point) or you might have longer cycles where you miss 3 or 4 periods in a row, then have 3 or 4 normal cycles.
I'm not sure about the confusion and what they told your husband? Drs do not give results to anyone except the patient due to confidentiality issues.
Have they tested your hormone levels- because FBC is surely a test for anaemia- a full blood count?- but not necessarily a test of your hormone levels which have to be done on certain days of your cycle.
Maybe it would help to overcome your reluctance to go to see your dr? There are no medals awarded for going through menopause without seeing a dr. It's not sign of weakness to need help for a biological function!
Every year you have with low oestrogen is going to potentially change your bone density- go and get some help!
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Hi mandy - I totally agree with what's been said - why wait for a conclusive result - I mean you may well not get one! If you have begun to skip periods and are getting symptoms of flushes and sweats then there is no reason why you should not start a low dose of HRT - which will mostly regulate your periods and replace vital oestrogen while you are young.
Also I suggest you ask for the result of the thyrord test and get the actual reading - these can be interpreted in different ways. In fact you can ask for a read-out of all the results from your blood tests if you want - they may even print them out for you.
Hurdity x
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Thank you ladies for your wonderful wise words, they really do help me! My husband gets all my results as I have given the surgery permission to let him get them as I have really bad health anxiety, have done since the age of 17. So, whenever I have tests done for anything I immediately think the worse, so can never face getting the results myself. I know these are only hormone results to see if I'm in the menopause, but I start thinking maybe they will find something else in the results that will point to a tumour or something. I know its stupid but I live my life in a constant state of fear, so going through all this is really hard for me... I never want to go near a doctor if I can help it. I've had help on and off for this, but it's never worked. Now with the results coming back for my hormones and my thyroid as inconclusive I am thinking it means all sorts, so this is especially difficult for me to handle. They are sending a repeat blood form in the post to me and I can't even go near the front door in case I see the letter on the floor. Please don't think I'm a nutter, I'm not! I just have a terrible fear that is extremely exacerbated at the moment by the symptoms I'm having.
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I assume you have had cognitive behavioural therapy for your issues around doctors and your health - can you ask for more sessions to help you cope with these hormonal changes and find a positive way forward?
Please, please be aware that you are not alone, thousands of women are going through what you are experiencing and whilst it is a natural process that all women must endure the symptoms can be controlled. I fear that if you do not address your fears now you will end up not getting the help and support you need. I hope you have an understanding GP who can help you through this.
Keep us posted. DG x
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oh have a hug! For a while I was unable to pick up the post - I was a great letter writer but couldn't reply, so if a letter from a pen-pal arrived I would feel really ill - because I felt I had to reply immediately :-\ : I was unable to answer the phone; I couldn't answer the front door, have people to visit, go to see anyone ……. fear is very controlling, allowing the mind to keep going round and round ……… it is a vicious circle, self perpetuating.
How about a community psychiatric nurse to visit so that you can talk these issues through? Your GP could arrange for this. Or get in touch with the MIND charity, they may have an out-worker who could visit with you. Being in your home may allow you to feel relaxed, more in control. Or perhaps you could have a correspondence about your worries with a professional? Making a list and ask the Nurse to go through them with you even if it means several discussions? That way what is in the back of your mind can come forward - talking about it can help.
The blood tests you are having won't show anything untoward health wise, because they are different types of tests. Speaking with your Practice Nurse could help or a Pharmacist. If a Nurse explains the various tests for different symptoms you might feel easier about what 'might' show up.
Thyroid disorder can cause anxiety. As can low blood sugar. Do you have a 'good' diet?
Keep posting!
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Baby steps are the way forward mandy. You need to plan a series of small changes- for example having your husband next to you when you open a letter might be one way, or having a friend with you if you manage to make it to the drs to collect results. This is a phobia you have and the way to treat that is gradual exposure to the things you fear. The first step is deciding that you want to change. If you don't, and are happy to rely on your husband, then you won't be motivated- and nothing will change. It's hard to step outside a comfort zone when it's gone on for so long- but it IS possible if you want it enough.
Has your dr referred you recently for professional help?
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Bless you ladies for your words of comfort. I know it's a phobia. And I had a brilliant year last year... extremely positive and accomplished so many things in that one year that I have in the last 20! However, once things started to go wrong with me physically, as in the meno symptoms, I lost all that control I had and started to do what I do best and internalise everything. I feel really annoyed with myself for letting it take control again. I have a really good diet and I'm probably in the best physical shape I've been in since I had all my babies. I went from a size 22 down to a 14 and I exercise daily and eat really healthily. But I hate not being able to act like an adult and face things like this, I act like I've been given a death sentence and it's only what every woman has to go through... stupid!!
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Congratulations on the weight loss - that is fabulous. Clearly you have the strength to conquer your demons - we all have our demons and meno can really, really feed our fears. You can conquer this - go for it.
DG x
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Congratulations from me too - that's tremendous :congrats: !!!
Also just to add CLKD is absolutely right re the tests.
They are inconclusive - because presumably they don't show you are definitely approaching menopause (which as discussed will often be the case for peri-menopausal women) and ditto the thyroid. For example your results may be borderline for underactive thyorid so they are doing another one to check. If you do have an underactive thyroid ( as some women develop around menopause) then this will enable proper treatment (thyroxine) so that you can feel well again. As I said below, do make sure your husband gets the actual readings for all the tests and then at least you can look up the reference ranges yourself and be re-assured, and able to know what's going on in your body!
Hurdity x
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Thanks Ladies, seems that you were all right. My husband spoke to the doctor (I know how ridiculous this sounds, him and not me talking to the doc). Anyway, my estrogen level is low which indicates that I'm entering the meno, although the FSH was normal. So they want to test again to see what the numbers are and then possibly talk to me about starting HRT. Doc said thyroid often comes back inconclusive and this is nothing to be concerned about. I'm going to retest in a couple of months. Doc reckons I could be irregular now and symptomatic for at least another 3 years before they finish completely, but I think I've got maybe another year at the most, as it has all been very sudden and quick. Anyway, you're a wonderful group of women that have helped me dearly and I will keep posting when I get scared or worried and need some support xx
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Hi mandy43
It sounds like you are getting good support from your GP and your husband sounds like he's a fantastic support too. Health phobia is very common and there is a lot of help available to help you overcome this like CBT. Maybe see if this is an option you might want to think about?
By the way you are not alone in dreading the sound of the letterbox, I had a brief period when I felt the same way, it doesn't have to be that way forever :)
Wish you well, come back and visit.
Lubylou
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Hi Mandy, You had a good year last year so you will be good again. It seems impossible currently but I bet in a few mths time things will be different. I had a new carpet fitted today,perfectly normal thing but 6 mths ago I couldn't have done it. Don't ask why completely irrational reasons. This meno/peri has some very strange side effects. I could list a whole load of weird things to make you feel quite sane, I do think though that the little demons we had pre all this do grow into huge monsters but we can shrink them back down again. B xx
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You're so right Bev, the smallest things seem to send me in a panic and where as once I lived life on wing and a prayer, now I seem to be planning everything well in advance and making lists and keeping a calendar... so unlike me. And the more I try to organise life the more I seem to worry about everything... weird!! I think it's my way of trying to take back control, as I do feel a bit lost with all of this. And I think Lubylou that I just don't feel ready for this yet, it's all happened within the last 12 months and it feels too fast. I am really quite sad about it all coming to an end xx
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Some ladies need to grieve for 'that' Life and the 'next', it's The Change and everything begins to alter …… well done the Husband!
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It is like an overwhelming thing isn't it. I am used to living life at 100 miles an hour juggling several things at a time its what keeps me sane I would hate to be bored. Its funny how things can change at this time. I think the most important thing is to think it won't be like this forever the old us will be back & it might even be a better version. That is what I keept telling myself & there is no rush either we need to get better at our own speed. B x
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I know that I could never do the jobs that I took on in my 20s/30s ::) …… in fact I wonder sometimes how I *did* manage them ……. it took a while to accept that I was changing but in hindsight, every stage of my Life has been a room and when I shut the door on one room, something surprising happened :o
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Very good post CLKD - I really agree with your viewpoint. I've just spent ages composing a post to Dandelion and you have just summed up what I was trying to say.
Accepting the stage we are at NOW and appreciating it is the key. Bitterness about what we have lost will eat you up.
DG xxx
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:thankyou: ….. it did take a while to accept that a) I have changed because of anxiety and depression and b) that I have, as I age, more knowledge to offer. Also, I don't take a lot of crap any more and I know that if I had those jobs now I would have handled them differently and a lot better ;)
I try to take 10 mins each day to 'smell the roses', this week it's searching the garden for new Spring bulbs! Trouble is, when we are poorly we want to feel well and we want it yesterday …….
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Mandy43
I completely understand what you mean about it all happening to fast and trying ways to take control back. As it happens I feel pretty down about “life†myself due to a sudden increase in my meno symptoms, but what I wanted to say is that in 2006 my life was turned upside down by a sudden and life changing illness. I thought I would never have a “life†again. But I did get out of that dark hole and have had a very fulfilling time since. Try and take things slowly and don't think of this as forever, things will get better, maybe different, but better than you are feeling about things now.Honest.
Lubylou
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:thankyou: LubyLou!