Menopause Matters Forum

Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Lisa1966 on July 09, 2018, 02:24:17 PM

Title: Blood test results,help please
Post by: Lisa1966 on July 09, 2018, 02:24:17 PM
Hi ladies, I was wondering if you can help me,I saw a private menopause specialist on the 19 th of June,he told me to stick with 4 pumps estrogen,and get bloods done after 2 weeks. He is supposed to be writing to my gp but she hadn't received the letter,but he sent me a copy,it said due to my symptoms he thought my estrogen levels needed to be 600-700pmol,I've just got results back and my level is 120pmol,he said with the high levels of estrogen is would suppress my fsh to about 30,it has come back as 38ru/l. Please can anyone tell me what this means.

     Thanks Lisa xx
Title: Re: Blood test results,help please
Post by: Dotty on July 09, 2018, 02:47:05 PM
It will take a while for the Oestrogel to get into your system and to increase the level of oestrogen in your body .

FSH levels rise as we go into menopause , but presumably he means that they won't rise as you are taking HRT.
Title: Re: Blood test results,help please
Post by: Lisa1966 on July 09, 2018, 06:32:43 PM
I have been on gel for 12 weeks,sandrena for 8 and estrogel for 4. He says I'm progesterone intolerant,but because of my depression he wants my levels high to suppress fsh to below 30 xx
Title: Re: Blood test results,help please
Post by: Hurdity on July 09, 2018, 08:55:33 PM
You systemic oestrogen levels should reach their maximum very quickly - 3-5 days or up to 12 days. If that is an accurate reading and was taken 2 weeks after starting the oestrogel then sounds like you are not absorbing it - as this is a very low level. Perhpas it is drying too quickly maybe or rubbing off - what size area are you spreading it over? The FSH level is consistent with the result that you are not absorbing oestrogen since high levels of oestrogen to suppress FSH as Dotty said. What was your FSH reading before? Also have you had oestrogen levels tested before?

Hurdity x
Title: Re: Blood test results,help please
Post by: Lisa1966 on July 10, 2018, 10:13:46 AM
Hi herdity and dotty,I'm smearing on inner thigh 1 pump on each twice a day,over an area of about 2hands,it takes about 15 mins to dry. Last time I had blood test was about 2 years ago,I don't know what levels were,I was just told my overies were failing.xx
Title: Re: Blood test results,help please
Post by: Dotty on July 10, 2018, 10:53:05 AM
I use the gel on shoulders and outer arms and put it all on at once in the morning . Are your menopause symptoms improving? That is more a gauge of the hrt working than blood test results. X
Title: Re: Blood test results,help please
Post by: Lisa1966 on July 10, 2018, 11:07:17 AM
I just feel depressed and anxious,have no motivation,don't want to go out anywhere ,tearfull at times,just generally feel crap really xx
Title: Re: Blood test results,help please
Post by: Dotty on July 10, 2018, 11:25:34 AM
Perhaps you could increase the Oestrogel.  It took about 2 months on 4 pumps before I started feeling better.
Title: Re: Blood test results,help please
Post by: Lisa1966 on July 10, 2018, 06:34:49 PM
Hi dotty,I'm already on 4pumps,do you think I could slap some more on,I have this inner nervousness at the moment,when I feel like this my blood pressure usually plummets,but not usually until bed time,it's really weird xx
Title: Re: Blood test results,help please
Post by: Dotty on July 10, 2018, 06:54:35 PM
Hi Lisa more than 4 pumps is not licensed so I wouldn't suggest that Try putting it all on in the morning and try shoulders and upper arms. X
Title: Re: Blood test results,help please
Post by: Lisa1966 on July 10, 2018, 07:24:47 PM
Thanks dotty I will give it a go xx
Title: Re: Blood test results,help please
Post by: Dotty on July 10, 2018, 07:31:38 PM
You may need to persevere for longer too. Xx
Title: Re: Blood test results,help please
Post by: Lisa1966 on July 10, 2018, 07:45:58 PM
Will this nightmare ever end xx
Title: Re: Blood test results,help please
Post by: Dotty on July 10, 2018, 07:53:32 PM
All I can tell you is that I've got my life back. I was so ill last year..... physically and mentally. I tried 3 tablet hrts and they did nothing for me. I was getting worse and worse. I'm now on my 5th month on Oestrogel and Utrogestan and testosterone and I'm much better. X
Title: Re: Blood test results,help please
Post by: Lisa1966 on July 10, 2018, 08:08:54 PM
So pleased for you dotty,my consultant is thinking about testosterone,but I have to get my estrogen higher first xx
Title: Re: Blood test results,help please
Post by: ladylollipop on July 10, 2018, 08:19:09 PM
Hello Dotty , just a question to testosterone: I was told to take DHEA which will become testosterone. What do you take?
Lady lollipop x
Title: Re: Blood test results,help please
Post by: Dotty on July 11, 2018, 03:59:14 AM
Lady lollipop- I use Tostran . I was using testogel until it was discontinued. X
Title: Re: Blood test results,help please
Post by: Dotty on July 11, 2018, 04:00:42 AM
Lisa1966 - I am proof that hrt works. I'm hoping that it works for you too. If I can help you then please ask x
Title: Re: Blood test results,help please
Post by: Lisa1966 on July 11, 2018, 11:00:58 AM
Thank you dotty 🙂xx