Menopause Matters Forum
General Discussion => New Members => Topic started by: JojoC71 on May 17, 2025, 12:01:24 PM
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Hi all. I have been reading through all the posts for quite some time and am so relieved at what I have read and learned from you all.
I posted this yesterday but in the wrong area (I'm not technically gifted lol) so apologies if you have already seen this.
I am 53, had hysterectomy (ovaries preserved) in 2020 and I think my menopause journey started a few months after my op. I am also type 1 diabetic since 1976.
I was finally diagnosed with menopause after changing doctors in 2024.
I Started Estrodot 75 last year then there were stock issues so I was changed to oestrogel 3 pumps daily a couple of months ago, i only applied 2 pumps daily as I'm super-sensitive to every medication.
Since the gel I have felt quite unwell, aching, headache, dizzy, nausea, extreme tiredness, shocking reflux, I'm aching all over and more brain fog than usual which I know are all menopause symptoms but due to my recent blood test I'm wondering if it could be too much estrogen? My TSH has also dropped to 0.22, diagnosed with overactive thyroid in 2015 in remission since 2019. My bloods have never been checked since starting HRT so I had a private female hormone check.
These are the blood test results and my health anxiety now through the roof lol.
Oestradiol 110100.0 pmol/l.
Testosterone 1.650nmol/l.
Sex Hormone Binding Globulin 138.0 nmol/l
The rest of my results were all within range.
I have not applied any gel today.
I would be really grateful for any help and/or advice, can i get the estrogen out of my system any quicker than waiting for it to just leave my body naturally?
Many thanks
Jo x
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:welcomemm: why did U opt for HRT, which symptom would you like to ease first?
One has to let replacement leave the body naturally ......... when any medication prescribed makes me feel that ill I stop it.
How has your thyroid been treated, as peri/menopause can cause upheaval there too which mayB part of your symptoms?
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Hi CKLD,
Thank you for your message.
I opted for HRT as I couldn't function, I think I have every symptom possible the worst one being anxiery like ive never experienced, ive got a low dose of Fluoxetine and propranolol for that. Also the drop in estrogen really messes with my diabetes.
The reason I didn't stop it sooner was because the GP said I felt this unwell due to needing more estrogen so I carried on, i should have requested bloods before agreeing to an increase.
The result of the blood test has scared the hell out of me! I will be trying to get an appointment with my GP on Monday to discuss.
My thyroid was treated with carbimazole years ago. My GP wants a repeat thyroid blood done In 3 weeks and if its still low they will refer me to endocrine which could take months! I will speak to a different GP to see if they can start me on a low dose carbimazole going by history and not to refer me.
Jo
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A single raised estradiol, particularly when using gel, is often erroneous.
Alternatively if you are 53 and still have ovaries, it is possible that what you captured was ovulation.
However the raised SHBG is suggestive of chronic over treatment.
If you felt well on a 75mcg patch, why not change to another brand of patch rather than gel?
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Hi Bombsh3ll,
The patch appeared to work well at the start when I was prescribed 25mg however it was increased to 50 then 75, each time it was increased it was due to me feeling no better on the previous dose.
I'm wondering If I am just super-sensitive to estrogen and absorb it too much?
I'm now thinking of trying supplements of some sort and ditching the HRT but there are so many different vitamins & minerals and herbs & spices etc that I wouldn't know where to begin lol.
I will ask my GP for more bloods to check the estradiol again.
FSH was 49.1 (post meno on details)
LH was 39.4 (mid cycle on details)
Progesterone was 0.53 (mid cycle on details) so that would fit in with you suggesting ovulation!!
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MayB you didn't require such a hike all at once? MayB go back to 25mg if U have any to see how you feel? It could be that increasing gradually i.e. 25mg routinely then add an extra 50mg a few times a week, depending on how you react. After all hormone levels rise and fall, they are rarely even.
Supplements aren't recommended - many aren't pure enough to make any difference and a lot have never been checked by NICE etc.. If your GP is willing get a blood test for VitD levels in which case a replacement won't do any harm. Be aware too that GPs won't test 'extra' thyroid function bloods even when patients complain of continuing symptoms.
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Hi CKLD,
Thank you for the info, I'll give the supplements a miss, it'll save a lot of googling too lol.
I think I'll do what you suggested and try the 25mg
Vitamin D was 75 on my last bloods, I take 25mg daily even throughout the summer as I'm always in the shade.
TSH and T3 or 4 are being retested 2nd June so we will see what happens when I get the results. I'm going on holiday on 6th of June so I would like to feel a bit more healthier than I currently am. Trouble is the lowest dose of medication, if Dr prescribes it, knocks me out for a few weeks :sigh:
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That's how my emergency anti-anxiety tablet works, out like a light!
We have a holiday 2025 thread ;-)
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Been to see my GP this morning, he said he's not panicking about my bloods however he is going to telephone a gynae for further advice. No more HRT until I'm advised to.
Does anyone know if too much oestrogen has symptoms like not having enough does? Info on google is conflicting.
I have had achey legs (calves and thighs) so the meno-anxiety has diagnosed blood clots lol. Sharp pains in tummy, ringing in ears, super hungry, nausea, rapid heart rate (only reduces if i take propranolol), raised blood pressure. I could probably go on but today I have brain-smog!
Thanks. x