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Should I seek a private consultation with a menopause specialist for second opinion?

Mariehf profile image
9 Replies

I have NHS test results from when I asked to be tested for the menopause. I’m 45 so believe they should be treating me from my symptoms rather than test results, but I was told that I am not in the menopause from these results. Should I seek a private consultation with a menopause specialist for second opinion or looking at my results would I be wasting my time and money at this stage? Thanks.

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Mariehf
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Mariehf profile image
Mariehf

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DylanTheRabbit profile image
DylanTheRabbit in reply toMariehf

Hi Mariehf, this is a late reply as I've just stumbled across this forum.

I don't know how it is at your GP surgery but when I wanted to talk to a GP about perimenopause symptoms I looked at the list of GP's and the letters after their names, then I googled what the letters mean (they're all different qualifications) and approached a GP that had specific training in women's health.

I'd already done a bit of reading up about perimenopause and hrt. She was very happy for me to try hrt to see if it helped (it has). I was otherwise in pretty good health (so no reasons not to give it a go). You should really be able to find an NHS doctor to help you. Good luck. I hope it's going on for you.

Mariehf profile image
Mariehf in reply toDylanTheRabbit

Thank you for your help. I’ve just changed to a new doctors surgery where I’m told they have an NHS menopause specialist so I’m hopeful of trying out hrt now. Thanks

DylanTheRabbit profile image
DylanTheRabbit in reply toMariehf

I'm so pleased to hear that. I hope it works out for you.

Belle76 profile image
Belle76

They shouldn’t be using blood tests as you are 45 and should go by symptoms. Hormone change so much they are unreliable. Look up nice guidelines and look at menopause doctor newson. Do some research go back to doctors

Mariehf profile image
Mariehf in reply toBelle76

Thank you for your help.

CurlyPretzel profile image
CurlyPretzel

I am in a similar situation. My GP did agree to test hormones but told me in advance it wouldn't show anything. Indeed all he could tell me was that I am not post-menopause, which I knew already.

What are your symptoms? I am thinking of keeping a diary. I am not sure I will get far without a record of what's happening.

Mariehf profile image
Mariehf in reply toCurlyPretzel

It’s frustrating to know if you should trust what your gp says is correct or get a second opinion (pay privately). My worst symptoms are Chronic fatigue, Insomnia, Depression,Brain fog.

CurlyPretzel profile image
CurlyPretzel in reply toMariehf

Yeah all the things that could be something else as well, right, so it's easy to be fobbed off. I also think even if GP believes you are likely to be in peri they won't necessarily help. My worst nightmare is ending up on beta blockers for my heart problem and then being given antidepressants when all along maybe it could be hormones. I am lucky, I guess, in that I live in Australia and we can pick any GP we want so it's very easy to get a second opinion at the GP level. Not so easy to see another GP in the UK...

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