Hi everyone, hoping someone can advise on the link between estrogen and various veins.
I'm 47 and think I'm starting menopause. In the previous 4 months when my period starts my right leg goes numb and it can be a bit frightening. I now have quite a striking vein which is raised and runs from my thigh to ankle.
Would various veins cause the numbness. Tried HRT which made my hair fall out and Dr's appear to be useless. Been to 3 who couldn't advise on on hrt and told I have sciatica which I definitely don't have.
My iron also dropped dramatically low about 6 months ago and was prescribed a supplement. Probably not linked but though I'd mention it.
Thanks for reading.
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Karen154
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Thoughts on a hematologist? I don’t know much, but numbness and a striking vein sound like deep vein thrombosis or some such? And you were definitely anemic? It’s possible it’s all vascular. At the start of your period there’s a massive drop in progesterone... estrogen is actually a tissue builder and would include vascular generation... honestly a hematologist might sort this one just fine for you, or someone here might come along and make some sense?
Hi Karen, what are your bleeds like? Sorry to come at you so up close and personal but I noticed you said your blood count was very low at one point which often points to heavier bleeds. The reason for asking is that numbness in the leg at the start and/or just before a period can point to pelvic congestion- I work in healthcare by the way and find the information on here excellent, the numbness you’re getting is caused by nerve pressure - pressure on a nerve from the pelvis and is not uncommon. If the lining of your uterus is thick for example or there is a patch of endo or even a fibroid all of these things can give rise to the numbness at the time of your period as they all increase pelvic congestion and additionally endo is commonly found sitting on nerves in the pelvis and is at its fullest at the start of a bleed. If you do have heavy periods your Gp should be able to arrange a scan of your pelvis to see what’s what so to speak
In terms of the varicose veins this a local issue to the vein and not mediated by oestrogen but again any extra pressure in the pelvis can sometimes cause blood to pool somewhat in the lower veins and could cause some pooling where the varicose vein is,
You may also like to look at menopause Uk and the women’s health concern site, both excellent and you can source a private menopause specialist to see who will be able to assess your overall menopause symptoms and guide you on safest and most appropriate treatments, anyway hope this helps!
Hi, thanks for your reply. I had a pelvic scan and everything was fine. I bleed for a day maybe two been like this for years. Started hrt and had a normal period but made my hair fall out. Tried progesterone only pill and period was better but very dark blood, again made my hair fall out. My right arm can be a little number too. I'm about 4 stone over weight and can't seem to get the weight off. Also have a thyroid condition.
Hi nikklips, I don't suppose you could advise on makes of hrt. I read on li e that one I was prescribed contained testosterone. I also think there was something other then progesterone in my mini pill.
When did you last have FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing?
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised or if under medicated
Persistent low vitamins with supplements suggests coeliac disease or gluten intolerance
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw). This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
Is this how you do your tests?
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins
Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random
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but I noticed you said your blood count was very low at one point which often points to heavier bleeds. The reason for asking is that numbness in the leg at the start and/or just before a period can point to pelvic congestion- I work in healthcare by the way and find the information on here excellent, the numbness you’re getting is caused by nerve pressure - pressure on a nerve from the pelvis and is not uncommon. If the lining of your uterus is thick for example or there is a patch of endo or even a fibroid all of these things can give rise to the numbness at the time of your period as they all increase pelvic congestion and additionally endo is commonly found sitting on nerves in the pelvis and is at its fullest at the start of a bleed. If you do have heavy periods your Gp should be able to arrange a scan of your pelvis to see what’s what so to speak
Reaction to various drugs
Progesterone or Estrogen
T3, T4 and HRT
HRT and NDT. 
Estrogen dominance test?
