Estradiol levels

[DSan]

Hi ladies, I've just had my estradiol levels checked again (on day 2/3 of my period), and they're quite high. Just wondered if this is normally the case for endometriosis sufferers.

[jen1982]

Mine are too and my Gp said that's good in terms for fertility, yet my FSH was 0 something so I can't be ovulating. From what I've read online an endomtrioma can cause high oestrogen and low FSH. I know I have one so I think that's what's causing my results. I think because endo is an oestrogen dominant disease then it may be normal to have high estradiol levels, but I don't know for certain and I think it has to be measured against other hormone levels. Do you mind me asking what made you have the test, was it for fertility? I had all the symptoms of menopause (the reason I got tested), but was really shocked to find my levels were high and I've been around in circles looking for answers since.

[DSan in reply to jen1982]

Hi Jen1982,

Yes I had my hormone levels checked because I will be going for my second ivf cycle soon.

Actually, according to some websites my oestrogen levels are normal and to some they are high.

I have read that presence of a cyst on your ovaries will increase your oestrogen levels so people who have pcos normally have higher levels of oestrogen.

[Mabes]

I don't know if it's typical or not. In my case I have a normal estrogen level, but I have a low progesterone level. The two hormones work together so if progesterone is low, even if estrogen is normal, it results in estrogen dominance as I don't have enough progesterone balancing it out.

As far as I understand it, endometriosis is an estrogen dominant condition. So if progesterone/estrogen are out of whack - estrogen high and progesterone normal or low, or progesterone low and estrogen normal - one is in an estrogen dominant state. This is why part of the treatment is often to have the mirena coil or to go on a POP version of the BCP, as these two options balance out the estrogen dominance by supplying progesterone in various doses (mirena is a small continual dose if I remember correctly).

In your case it would be useful to know what your progesterone levels are - this should be tested on day 21 of your menstrual cycle. Either way, if your estrogen remains high and you are not using any progesterone based treatment, this might be something to discuss further with your doctor.

[DSan in reply to Mabes]

Hi, yes I agree. I think my oestrogen levels have been slightly high in the past and my progesterone levels slightly on the low side. I regularly chart my bbt (for fertility ) and my temps are always a bit low after ovulation.

However, since I have cleaned up my diet my levels have improved a little.

[jen1982]

Dsan, my oestrogen was 800 and something and my progesterone was apparently low too, which I think has been the cause of my hot flushes for a year. My GP has given me progesterone now to take when my cycle begins but I haven't had a chance to try it yet. Interesting you say that your temp is low, mine is consistently low and then lower after ovulation too. It now makes sense to me that they prescribe progesterone for treatment of endo, but I know it's about the levels all being in balance.

My strange symptoms started after I had an ovary removed last year, and I was convinced my oestrogen must be low (my GP too), but she seemed totally confused as to how it could be so high. It makes total sense when you look at it in terms of progesterone, I just wish they would routinely test for that too.

[DSan in reply to jen1982]

Have you been checked for pcos? Have you been diagnosed with endometriosis? Have you had a laparoscopy? 800 is high and you should definitely do something to bring this down as well as trying to increase the progesterone. I was having acupuncture treatment for a while whichcan help. I have also changed my diet to the endometriosis diet and only eat organic meat (no red meat though) as non organic is pumped full of artificial hormones and have cut out dairy and sugar which has also really helped and try only to use paraben free cosmetics. Another thing I would say is to try and eat and sleep at the same time everyday, it is important that you try and get 6-7 hours or more everynight although. I also suffered from constipation for a long time which doesn't help as your body is not expelling the oestrogen in your body if this happens. I haven't tried this but apparently natural progesterone cream also works well.

[DSan]

My day 2 oestrogen levels were 300 three years ago which dropped to 212 last year. Just had day 3 levels checked and they are 245.