Menopause Matters Forum
Menopause Discussion => All things menopause => Topic started by: Pippa52 on June 23, 2025, 09:10:53 AM
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Hi Everyone
I seem to back on the bandwagon of trying to get my oestrogen only HRT dose right. :( n :'( At the moment have been on Estradot 56 (37.5 plus a half 37.5 patch) for 2 years but over the past few months have been getting more and more symptoms of what seem to be too high oestrogen i.e. headaches, acute anxiety, not sleeping and keep waking up feeling so anxious, bloating and a change in bowel habits and tiredness feeling weak and washed out. Have also lost over a stone in weight over the past year which apparently also can have an effect on dosage levels I was told. I have on the advice of the Doc from today dropped my dose to just a 50 patch (ridiculously sensitive to dose changes so have to take things super slowly) and I just wondered if anyone else had been in a similar boat and if so how long did it take for the symptoms to start to improve. At the moment I just feel so wired and jittery its really horrible to try and cope with the anxiety. Going higher on dose has ALWAYS made things worse for me and Doc said definitely to go down on dosage xx
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Hi Pippa, I'm in a similar situation & it's an utter pain :(. On oestrogen only following hysterectomy 2+ yrs ago & have been on HRT for 10 years, mostly at higher doses than now. I reduced to 30mcg 5 months ago to try to work out which of my current symptoms are due to side effects, which still a likely consequence of menopause & which possibly due to other chronic conditions & surgical legacies.
In mid-60s, my sense is my body has become less biochemically agile if you like & is now struggling to process oestradiol efficiently. A worry as I am underweight with osteopenia so had really hoped to be able to continue on at least a 50mcg dose for bone protection. That said, any oestrogen replacement should help & at this age I need to be pragmatic rather than idealistic & concentrate on improving QOL.
Main issues are chronic insomnia due to intense overheating with horrible associated adrenalin/cortisol reaction of pounding heart, irrational anxiety & nausea, v frequent feverish nightmares, sluggish digestive tract & fluid retention, both the latter causing v uncomfortable bloating with knock on effects on bladder & bowel comfort & function.
With somewhat inconsistent response to the reduction in dose, in uncertainty & frustration I've gone back up to 37.5mcg a couple of times, but each time have definitely felt worse on the higher dose within a few days.
Still a work in progress, but I consistently find that fluid retention & digestive issues (& the horrible consequent bloating) improve within 10 days or so on doses <37.5mcg. Overall 5 months on, sleep seems somewhat better on the lower dose but it varies from night to night & there's still some way to go to get to a stage I'd say is adequate.
Atypical hypothyroidism is one condition in the mix muddying the picture for me, so assuming your situation is more straightforward I'd really hope you would feel more consistent improvements sooner.
W x
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Wrensong ....thank you so much for your reply and I am so sorry you are suffering too. This roller coaster of dose adjustments/hrt shortages and the adverse effects are so difficult to deal with. Its beyond frustrating when you think you have found your 'sweet spot' dose only to find further down the line its not then right again. I am 72 years old had a hysterectomy aged 42 and have been on oestrogen only HRT ever since. Was on Oestrogel for over 20 years and then it stopped working for me after the shortages so was swopped onto Evorel (gave horrendous migraines) Lenzetto (super easy to use but due to not being able to adjust the dose to suit me (two sprays not enough 3 sprays too much and one spray worse than useless) I finally got put on to Estradot which when I eventually got the dose right have worked well up until a few months ago when the present symptoms crept up on me. Developed Atrial fibrillation after Covid jabs so have to be very careful on dose changes of oestrogen to which I am super sensitive or it kicks off heart ectopics etc.
It sounds like you have/had very similar symptoms to me and they are hard to live with so I really empathise with you. Thank you so much for your time scale of things improving that is so helpful. I am sure you are right in that even a lower dose of HRT is going to give us some bone protection etc.
Night times are horrid and my sleep is absolutely rubbish and then waking up in a total panic (for no other reason) vivid dreams too make it very hard to get back to sleep at all which of course makes for a vicious circle all round
I hope so much that the improvement for you will continue and that things really do settle down for you.
I will see how I go on with the dose reduction (I was on 3 pumps of Oestrogel originally) and hope things start to improve. I can certainly notice the dose reduction this evening already but I know those particular symptoms do pass I just hope the other ones do too in time.
Thank you again so much for taking the time to reply to my post I really appreciate it x
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Hello Pippa & thank you for your sympathetic reply. I remember the awful time you had during the previous shortages & was so sorry to see things are once again difficult for you. It’s dismaying isn’t it?
Like you, I’ve had probs with ectopics in the past, in fact 24/7 for a horrible decade before finally starting HRT 3 yrs postmenopause, so I know they ramp up the anxiety around known triggers we feel we have little control over. Mine tend to surface again with changes of either HRT or thyroid medication, but thankfully they are less intense, sporadic rather than 24/7 & flares only tend to last a few weeks while my body settles following the dose upheaval. So ditto re need to make adjustments very carefully.
Over the years I’ve worked my way though nearly all forms of HRT bar implants & have been on varying E2 doses up to 75mcg pursuing optimal symptom management, but can no longer tolerate the higher doses which at this age feel toxic. Part of the problem for me, we think, is that numerous bloods have shown I get very variable absorption from transdermal methods, but don't do well on oral due to migraine history & thyroid interaction. At the moment I’m on Estradot on which I seem to do best, but with the frustrating shortages forecast to continue into 2026 that’s unlikely to be sustainable.
Yes to horrendous nights, so I feel for you. Awake again suddenly from 2:05 until past 3:45 last night, finally dozing off some time after that until until just before five & now up since 5:30. A mixture of horrible nightmares & extreme overheating with the associated repeated physical “panic” response you mention, over which we have no control & which leaves us too alert to easily get back to sleep. All so hard on the body & embarrassed to say this is my 20th year of them. Despite everything we’ve tried they are my most resistant symptom. The last 2 years post-hysterectomy have been some of the worst, contrary to expectation given I'd already had oophorectomies some years before. That said, it is good to now have no heavy cyclical bleeds & no further need for progesterone to which I was horribly intolerant in all its forms.
I very much hope you will soon start to feel a lot better & gain blissful stability for the long term. As you were well on HRT for 20 years, it seems very likely you will be able to achieve this once you find the dose your body needs now. Sending a hug & all good vibes your way.
W x
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Hiya Wresnsong
Yes totally agree its dismaying the way our hormones or lack of affect us. So sorry to hear you have had ectopics too they can be a bit worrying even though we are told they are benign its not a nice feeling. I tend to get them at dose changes, times of stress or with viruses.
Like you I am on Estradot patches which have been really good for me but no again there is yet another shortage and I dread the fact of having to change yet again and really have no idea what to go onto. Can't take Evorel which is what seems to the alternative most people are given. I do have some Estradot left but nowhere near enough to last till next year.
So so sorry to hear about your nights - do think too everything always seems worse in the middle of the night. I HATE the awful panic feelings the second I wake up even though there is nothing to panic about my body clearly doesn't agree :) Its so strange it feels like a huge adrenaline surge which I guess it probably is but linked to hormones. I'm coming back as a man!!! :)
I so hope that things will improve for you - it seems these things are slowly slowly which is very frustrating. I do feel less wired and jittery today but very early days only 24 hours into the dose cut down so I won't hang out the bunting just yet.
Take care of yourself and I so appreciate your posts - thank you. xxxx
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I HATE the awful panic feelings the second I wake up even though there is nothing to panic about my body clearly doesn't agree :) Its so strange it feels like a huge adrenaline surge which I guess it probably is but linked to hormones.
Yes, they are absolutely dreadful, I couldn't agree more.
Would be good to know how you get on if you want to let us know at some point. Everything crossed that the reduction works out well for you.
Wx
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Yep, been through that. Dropped mine slightly and felt worse for about two weeks, anxiety, no sleep, jittery. Then things started to calm down. Losing weight can definitely make the same dose feel stronger. You’re doing the right thing easing down slowly. Magnesium helped me too.
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Wrensong - I absolutely will stay in touch. So far (day 4) things have certainly improved and I slept considerably better the last 2 nights and bloating has also lessened as has the panic/anxiety which although still there is at a lower level. However I will reserve total judgement till quite a bit more time has elapsed to find out the longer term result. This site is so amazing for help and hearing other people's experiences. Getting the dose/level right seems to be a total nightmare for so many of us along with the right type of HRT that suits each individual person. Thank you again Wrensong you have been so kind and supportive x
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Minicat - thanks so much for your post and I am so so pleased for you that dropping the dose has helped your symptoms. That is also really reassuring to know. I hear you re magnesium and I do use a magnesium spray and try to eat foods high in mag too. It seems to be a very important nutrient and I read that so many people lack good levels of it it apparently xx
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Pippa, that's nice of you to say, thank you, but it's what we are all here for & though I don't like to hear of others having similar probs to me, there's solidarity in knowing we're not alone with a protracted struggle to get things right. So thank you for being upfront about what you've been going through as that's helped me too & doubtless other readers, whether they feel comfortable posting or not. I imagine many lurkers are also helped by this site, as I was for some time before joining!
So far (day 4) things have certainly improved and I slept considerably better the last 2 nights and bloating has also lessened as has the panic/anxiety which although still there is at a lower level.
That sounds promising :) though as you say, early days. I'm pleased to think you'll let us know how things progress in the coming weeks too. Please PM me any time if I'm not around.
I'm reducing my oestradiol dose a little further, now on only 25mcg to see how that works. I do think it's possible that some of us do better on lower doses long postmenopause, though I also know there are women on here in their 60s & 70s who have also not felt the need to go lower, which must be wonderful for them.
Wx
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Wrensong - yes totally agree it is so helpful hearing other people's experiences etc and what works for them.
I hope so much your reduction works well for you. The meno consultant I saw said to me that even lower doses do have a good effect on our bones which is good to know. I also think probably people like us that are super sensitive to dose changes might possibly mean we need less - as they say less is more :).
Yes of course will keep in touch and likewise please feel free to PM me and I would love to know how you get on with the lower dose. Just to say my heart has been kicking off a bit with ectopics this morning but I kind of expected that as any dose change for me with anything can cause this. xxx
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Oh, the wretched ectopics - I'm sorry. They are horrible but we've both been there before & survived to tell the tale. I hope they will pass quickly for you. If you can, be kind to your body with as much R&R as you can manage in the coming weeks & hopefully that will mitigate the inevitable stress of the dose change. :hug:
My body has decided a stonking headache & a lovely cold sore outbreak is the way to make its displeasure known today! I am ignoring it & keeping on top of watering the droughty garden so that at least I can see I'm achieving something ;D
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Wrensong - ahhh thank you. You are right we will survive whatever our bodies seem to want to throw at us today and carry on :). I know what you mean about droughty gardens. I have been doing just the same. Our water butts are now empty of rainwater so it's over to to the hosepipe unfortunately with no rain forecast any time soon. So sorry to hear about your headache. If its any consolation I always get one too when I do a dose change and it always kicks in very soon after I've done it. Hopefully yours will die down very soon. take care of yourself xxx
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UPDATE - well day 5 of the lower dose and I can certainly feel it. Headache, jittery and very washed out, rotten sleep again after a few really good nights and some ectopic heartbeats. This is typical for me though any alteration of any dose of anything and I notice symptoms however small the change is. However on the positive side the bloating and gastric symptoms have improved a lot after the cut down. I am sure things will adjust in time hopefully in not too long a time scale. I know there are other ladies on here who also suffer with small dose changes too xx
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Hello ladies.
I just wanted to add that my NHS Consultant assured me that less is more for some of us, especially older women who are very post meno. He said that he had patients who were doing well on 12.5 mg every other day.
I value his opinion as he has been a Consultant Gynae for over thirty years ( he had just taken up the post when he delivered my son ).
Wishing you well ladies and take care.
K.
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Kathleen -thank you so much for posting that is really interesting to know. xx
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Pippa, I read all this just now and immediately after your first post I wanted to say that all those symptoms you describe are symptoms of too *low* estrogen, not too high. SOME of them (jitteriness) can also be high, but it is very unlikely that a 50 patch would be too high for anyone and causing those kind of symptoms. It is much more likely that your absorption has changed for some reason and you're not absorbing your patch as well as previously, causing low symptoms.
The only way you can know if you are too low or too high, is to do a blood test. If your GP won't do it, you can do one for about £45 via Randox Health at home. I recommend their 'premium' device option which takes the blood from your shoulder, it's much easier and more reliable than finger pricks. Your E should be definitely over 270 at a minimum to get the health benefits of HRT and many women need it around 450.
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joziel... thanks so much for your message. Have ordered the blood test from Randox. Excellent way to collect the blood for those of us that are likely to have traces of oestrogen on our fingers using patches and gel etc.
Last night was horrendous to be honest. Hardly slept with heart pounding away and feeling really high anxiety, bloating etc plus this heat doesn't help either. I have a check up appt with the Meno consultant tomorrow which was booked ages ago so will see what she says. I do wonder if I am absorbing as well as I used to from the Estradots. I have definitely noticed a difference since I have been on them and that was before the dose dropped. Was trying hard not to have to change type of HRT yet again ... will see what she says and what the blood levels are. Thanks again for the advice. xx
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Yes, those are all low estrogen symptoms for me (heart pounding, anxiety, insomnia etc)... When you do the Randox shoulder test, it takes a short while before the blood starts to come out. Just to warn you, because I put it on and then thought it wasn't working and was on the phone to them with it stuck on my arm, before I saw the blood coming through ;D so just be patient
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Kathleen thank you so much for your reply. We are all so different regarding HRT and I totally hear you and some ladies require only very small amounts of it to achieve relief of symptoms. Your consultant sounds amazing how lovely you have been able to stay with him over the years too :) x
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joziel...thanks so much for the heads up :) x
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Hi Pippa,
the bloating and gastric symptoms have improved a lot after the cut down
so glad to hear this as it's a horrible feeling & a relief when it resolves :). I hope the other symptoms subside sooner rather than later & that your blood test will be helpful. The heatwave will be an additional source of stress for your body as you adjust to the dose reduction. Unfortunate timing in terms of helping you get an idea of which way you may need to go to feel well again. Unexpectedly, my body seems to have coped better with the extreme heat on this lower dose than in previous years on more oestrogen, but one difference between you & I is that it's now 5+ months since I went down to 30mcg so I've had considerably more time to adapt.
As Joziel says, some of the symptoms you & I share can of course be indicative of low oestrogen, but as you stated in your original postGoing higher on dose has ALWAYS made things worse for me
your specialist's advice to reduce makes sense. Frustratingly, as I said earlier, this also seems to align with my own experience over the last 2 years, in early-mid 60s. I had not anticipated this scenario & it's been something of a blow, but it is what it is.
Kathleen, thank you for posting your consultant's advice :). Judging by the varying experiences reported on here by women in their 60s & 70s, I think what dose we do best on in our later years is probably a very individual thing. Never having been this age before(!) every day is a learning experience ;D. I hope you are feeling better.
W x
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UPDATE. - my HRT journey continues. Just had a consult with Meno consultant and we have agreed that Estradot are not working for me now. The new Sandoz patches are causing skin inflammation (never happened with the Novartis version) which she says in turn is more than likely affecting the absorption as the oestrogen does not absorb well through inflamed skin apparently which makes sense. She is transferring me onto Lenzetto which I have been on before but she looked back and said the dose was not high enough then so we shall see. I always liked the delivery method of Lenzetto so fingers crossed hopefully the higher dose will do the trick although I am expecting some side effects when swopping to yet another version of HRT. She also said that Estradot availability seems to be so unreliable that it would be better to swop now. Its such a shame as the original Estradots were magic for me and really worked. Ho hum I wish they would stop altering things.
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Oh no - inflammation? Yes, imagine that would compromise absorption.
I agree about Lenzetto - it's so easy to apply & leaves no trace. I do hope this resolves your symptoms Pippa & then you'll have no worry about obtaining Estradot either. The strength I need was still out of stock when I made enquiries earlier today. Luckily I have a good few weeks' worth left but that's all.
Everything crossed for you.
Wx
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Pippa, glad you have something to try... the only thing to say about Lenzetto is that it is quite low dose. Meaning even the max dose of Lenzetto may not be enough. But if she's happy to prescribe about the max licensed dose (and if you have enough skin to fit it on) then should be ok. Otherwise, Oestrogel or Sandrena could be things to try...
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Wrensong - thank you for your lovely post. I am aware it is a weaker product than Estradot so some jiggling around with the dose will probably be needed but I will do it slowly as always. My Meno lady told me if I need to to half a spray to cover the nozzle with a fresh sheet of paper each time and measure on the nozzle with 2 lines. I am going to try and stay on 2 sprays if I can but 3 seem to be what most people need =time will tell. I do hope you get the Estradots you need very very soon. What a nightmare this you would think they would be able to cope with extra demand now they have had several years to gear things up after all. xx
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joziel - yes am aware it is a weaker product than Estradots but will start on 2 sprays as suggested then tiltrate upwards. When I was on it before I was on a low dose and it wasn't realised how much weaker a product it was. Hopefully 2 - 3 will do the trick but time will tell. I do remember get good absorption to start with but clearly did not increase the dose enough in the longer term. I still have a few Novartis Estradots to use up as don't want to waste them so will finish them first. xx
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Pippa, if I remember rightly they are building a new factory :-\ hence shortages likely (again ::)) until some time next year. I will probably go back to Evorel but had considered asking for a retrial of Lenzetto. The latter never did it for me, but I wasn't on it for long as a standalone oestrogen. The 2nd time it was prescribed to use at bedtime to top up patches from which I was getting astonishingly erratic levels :o, with the hope of reducing my relentless night time symptoms.
All the best with it anyway & do let us know how you go.
W x
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Wrensong yes I read they were building a new factory so hopefully the supply issues will sort out once and for all! I had a blood test today for Oestrogen levels and will see what that says when it comes back as I am having serious cold feet about swopping off Estradot which have been so good. I am going to research and see if there is any way I can mitigate the skin re-action of the Sandoz patches. Providing I am still absorbing it ok I would rather have some skin irritation that feeling awful on another product. x
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Completely understand that Pippa. Please let us know what your research throws up. Not sure what I will ask for when my patches run out :( have you tried different sites for patch application to see whether the skin is less sensitive in other areas? Sorry to ask if you've found you don't absorb well from elsewhere even before this reaction - I forget what we've covered.
Wx
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Wrensong...it makes me so cross that us women have to keep going through this having to chop and change. I understand that Estradot are available sporadically at some pharmacies but not a reliable supply as of yet and they keep putting back the dates they are due to come back. I haven't tried a different site as of yet as never had a problem over the past few years but I will try somewhere else and see if the skin is less sensitive there. I still have some Novartis ones left so when they are gone I will try the Sandoz ones on a different site. Thank you for suggesting x
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It's beyond tiresome Pippa, isn't it? All these difficulties add to the outrage, frustration & disappointment it's hard to suppress in relation to the low priority women at midlife & beyond are afforded as regards healthcare. I had high hopes that Dame Lesley Regan would sort all this out as women's health ambassador, but I imagine it's like turning round a cruise ship.
Yes, I'd seen on some websites that the Estradot dose I use was supposed to be back in stock in July but when I contacted a pharmacy earlier this week (to buy privately) that's previously been able to provide when others couldn't, I was told none expected until March. I don't want to reorder on the NHS just now while I still have some Estradot left because my local pharmacy will substitute another brand, probably Evorel, under the SSP. I will have to of course eventually if I can't get Estradot. Due to see the Cons who oversees my care this week & tempted to ask him to issue a script for Estradot & send it to his preferred pharmacy, the one I emailed this week, in case they are wrong about supply & they do manage to get some before mine run out. Not sure how long they would keep the script if they can't supply right now though.
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Wrensong - it really is - like I've said many times I am coming back as a man!!! :) I would defiintely ask your Cons to issue you a script why not go for it :) He may have another pharmacy he could use that might have some stock. Will pm you x
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Thank you.
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Wrensong, if it helps I got Estradot 100 on the NHS this month - from Pharmacy2U....
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Joziel, thank you for that, I appreciate it :).
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Hi,
Just read the thread and wanted to say I’m in the same boat. Was on 100mg estradot 6 years ago dues to surgical menopause and getting good levels- fast forward to a few months again and absorption is all I’ve the place. But doesn’t help that on top of that the shortage has meant swapping and changing. I’ve no idea if symptoms are some days to high estrogen or too low. I’m also trying to get the progesterone correct. It’s so draining isn’t it!
Kelly x
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kelrob12 - oh no I am so sorry to hear this. Its such a nightmare it really is. Just when you think you have the right treatment at the right dose things get changed or there is a shortage and back to square one not being able to get the medication we need :( Did you find the problems started when you changed over to the Sandoz brand too? Are you still on Estradot or have you had to change? Huge empathy to you - its beyond frustrating having to keep changing medications :'(
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Pippa, I read all this just now and immediately after your first post I wanted to say that all those symptoms you describe are symptoms of too *low* estrogen, not too high. SOME of them (jitteriness) can also be high, but it is very unlikely that a 50 patch would be too high for anyone and causing those kind of symptoms. It is much more likely that your absorption has changed for some reason and you're not absorbing your patch as well as previously, causing low symptoms.
The only way you can know if you are too low or too high, is to do a blood test. If your GP won't do it, you can do one for about £45 via Randox Health at home. I recommend their 'premium' device option which takes the blood from your shoulder, it's much easier and more reliable than finger pricks. Your E should be definitely over 270 at a minimum to get the health benefits of HRT and many women need it around 450.
Hello
My Dr says oestrogen has to be 300-350 for symptom control. She is a Newson Dr so I assume she knows her stuff like Dr Newson.
I'm now on 200mcg oestrogen, my patches stick well, it's just my skin.
I'm interested to hear about many women needing blood levels around 450, would you let me know where you found that so I can have a read?
Thank you 🙏
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After an horrendous day yesterday of trying the Sandoz version of Estradot patches again which made me feel beyond awful I have done the deed and started Lenzetto this morning. 2 sprays to start with and see how it goes - I feel pretty sure I will need 3 eventually but Meno consult advised start at 2. Fingers tightly crossed this works as I am running out of options. I do love, love love the ease of using Lenzetto - now it just needs to work!!!
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Dandelion, everyone is individual and needs varying amounts for symptom-control. And the benefits in terms of bone health etc increase, the more you go up to (although obviously you don't want to go too high or you get bleeding etc). The very very minimum is around 300-350, but it's not enough for many women. Many need 450-600pmol, and some need even higher. It's individual. But you need to make sure you are not on a really low amount. And if you still have symptoms, you should be allowed to trial higher.
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After an horrendous day yesterday of trying the Sandoz version of Estradot patches again which made me feel beyond awful I have done the deed and started Lenzetto this morning. 2 sprays to start with and see how it goes - I feel pretty sure I will need 3 eventually but Meno consult advised start at 2. Fingers tightly crossed this works as I am running out of options. I do love, love love the ease of using Lenzetto - now it just needs to work!!!
Hey, so I’ve just been reading the threads and forum, I had no idea estradot changed manufacturer- when did this happen? I think I must be the same- I can’t remember when but just started to seem to absorb less!
X
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kelrob12 - oh no I am so sorry to hear this. Its such a nightmare it really is. Just when you think you have the right treatment at the right dose things get changed or there is a shortage and back to square one not being able to get the medication we need :( Did you find the problems started when you changed over to the Sandoz brand too? Are you still on Estradot or have you had to change? Huge empathy to you - its beyond frustrating having to keep changing medications :'(
When did they change- possibly yeah/ I didn’t know they had changed. Estraderm are so awfully big! X
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Kelrob12 - I contacted Sandoz who have got back to me asking for batch number etc and they will investigate it. I have read on another site that some Sandoz patches that had the expiration in 2025 have not been working on quite a number of ladies. I have however yesterday tried a batch with the expiration date of 4/2026 and so far today I am fine - no rash and and no headaches/anxiety or anything so maybe the problems were due to a rogue batch/batches? Hopefully that is the case so might be worth checking the expiration date on your pack if you feel they are not working as well? I will update if I hear back from Sandoz.x I was swapped to Lenzetto and used it for 2 days and felt so ill and weird I honestly couldn't function at all... I have an appt with the Meno cons next week anyway so decided to give the Sandoz patches one more try as have been really good on Estradot for the last 2 years... never wanted to swap off them in the first place so if all remains stable I will ask for my prescription to be changed back. Thankfully it seems they are starting to come back into availability and there is a new factory too so hopefully supply issues will be a lot better here on in. :ola:
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Dandelion, everyone is individual and needs varying amounts for symptom-control. And the benefits in terms of bone health etc increase, the more you go up to (although obviously you don't want to go too high or you get bleeding etc). The very very minimum is around 300-350, but it's not enough for many women. Many need 450-600pmol, and some need even higher. It's individual. But you need to make sure you are not on a really low amount. And if you still have symptoms, you should be allowed to trial higher.
Hello and sorry for the late reply and thank you.
I landed on Dr Newson's new website, and it says 400pmol/L there, so I queried it with Dr Newson, as, while my own newson Dr acted in good faith and does not want me to be imbalanced with my hormones, being the curious sort, I queried it with Dr Newson and she reassured me I would get enough hormones.
Ever since I started attending properly to my HRT last year and inching my dose up gradually with the Drs I have noticed great improvements in some areas, however, there are still some symptoms, physical and non physical that will be sorted with more oestrogen.
I will be getting a blood test and having another consultation in October, meanwhile I am allowed to increase to 225. I hope this is the magic dose. I was only 289pmol/l on 150 😐
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Yes, I too am a poor absorber. I'm on 300mcg patches and also the gel as well, although I'm trying to very gradually reduce and come off the gel and see how symptoms are and repeat bloods - to see if I really need it.