HRT QUESTION

[WendyW1964]

I went to Dr as my sweats had started to come back, fatigue , tummy weight and low mood. I asked if my natural hormone production had reduced would my HRT (Tibolone) need adjusting. My Dr ordered bloods before 9am (copy of current and past bloods attached). She has said my tummy weight will be influenced by HRT and high cortisol so I should consider coming off HRT after Christmas. Plus my kidney bloods need retaking after Christmas. I’m confused and worried about coming off HRT as I don’t want to go back to pre HRT. Any advice would be appreciated.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Sorry results not readable

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[milkwoman]

I can’t read your results but my experience with HRT is as my natural hormones reduced I did require increases in my HRT to alleviate the same exact symptoms as you are experiencing. The weight gain around my middle especially is a key symptom for me and when my HRT is balanced, I return to an hourglass figure.

I don’t know what Tibolone is. I’m on a custom compounded transdermal cream which contains two forms of estrogen (estriol and estradiol) along with progesterone and just recently, a small amount of testosterone.

[WendyW1964 in reply to milkwoman]

The only thing I can see on the blood results that mentions menopause is:Gonadotrophin levels (LSG) NORMAL-NO ACTION

LH 2.4-12.6 14-95.6 1.0-11.4

FSH 3.5-12.5 4.7-21.5 1.7 - 7.7 30

Serum LH level 34.5 iu/L

Serum FSH LEVEL 58.3 iu/L

Does this relate to my oestrogen?

[milkwoman in reply to WendyW1964]

No. You need to have your sex hormones tested.

[lola1956]

Firstly you don’t have to come off HRT we can stay on that for the rest of our lives if we are happy with it , also HRT does not make your tummy bigger but menopause can ! I’ve hashimotos and I’m now on HRT and I’m at a private clinic !

We can’t see results and if you said your age it would be helpful too !

Remember as in most GP s are rubbish with thyroid most are also rubbish where HRT is concerned too !

[Sparklingsunshine in reply to lola1956]

Hi

Let's be honest name one thing GPs are good at?

[WendyW1964 in reply to lola1956]

The only thing I can see on the blood results that mentions menopause is:Gonadotrophin levels (LSG) NORMAL-NO ACTION

LH 2.4-12.6 14-95.6 1.0-11.4

FSH 3.5-12.5 4.7-21.5 1.7 - 7.7 30

Serum LH level 34.5 iu/L

Serum FSH LEVEL 58.3 iu/L

Does this relate to my oestrogen?

[CoeliacMum1]

Please check outbalance-menopause.com/

If at all possible see menopause specialist or ask if you surgery has a trained GP, this training is/was free to every practice in U.K. for one person at each surgery.

I’m assuming they took the free offer, if not ask them why, and asked to be referred.

Hope you find answers soon

[FancyPants54]

You most definitely sound like you need an increase in HRT. Do not let this clueless GP take you off HRT altogether. Go and see another GP at the practice if you can and tell them that you are happy on HRT and intend to stay on it, but you need to try an increased dose as the less of your own hormones you have, the more exogenous hormones you will need.

If you get nowhere, ask to be referred to an NHS menopause clinic. It will take ages. If you can afford it, go private. It's by far the best way but is pricey. They will write to your GP and tell them what's what and what they want you to be on.

A growing stomach is a sign of low oestrogen. Your body is storing fat because fat can produce a poor, low grade oestrogen of it's own. But it's not the oestrogen you want.

You were right. Your GP is wrong. Stay strong.

Everything, written, blog, video, etc. on this web site is invaluable for us at this time. Download the app onto your phone too and keep track of things. It's just like thyroid, they can't be bothered to learn it seems. We are just past-it women in their eyes. Well we've got news for them!

balance-menopause.com

[FancyPants54]

The results are unreadable. But we only need to know your oestrogen level to know if you need an increase. Aim for a level over 400 for good bone, heart and physical/mental health. Anything over 250 p/molL is OK, but aim higher. We deserve better than we get.

[WendyW1964 in reply to FancyPants54]

The only thing I can see on the blood results that mentions menopause is:Gonadotrophin levels (LSG) NORMAL-NO ACTION

LH 2.4-12.6 14-95.6 1.0-11.4

FSH 3.5-12.5 4.7-21.5 1.7 - 7.7 30

Serum LH level 34.5 iu/L

Serum FSH LEVEL 58.3 iu/L

Does this relate to my oestrogen?

[FancyPants54 in reply to WendyW1964]

Well that's no use. The only thing you need to look for, if you look at all once on HRT, is blood levels of oestrogen. But they change all the time anyway so it's best to go on symptoms and deal with those.

[Panda_26]

Hi there, just a note re tibilone hrt that I'm also on. I had similar thing happen about a year ago when all symptoms returned . My gynae doubled my dose to two pills from one , - it seemed to do the trick! She said that my cortisol may show a little higher in any blood tests because of that, but not to be alarmed , and if the Dr reading knew about that , they shouldn't be either. I would have another chat with whoever prescribes your hrt!

[helvella Administrator]

Still very difficult to read - especially the one on the right. I don't feel comfortable with the one on the left either - feels like I am guessing what it says.

Suggest you Reply to this thread and add ONE image to each reply you make. Use the rectangle with an icon of sun and mountains in a frame.

The HU software scales images automatically. Zooming in cannot restore the image to its full scale - even to over 400%.

[sue_b]

Hi Wendy, unfortunately the info you have posted is not readable and as others have said your age and previous results would be useful; I find putting my results on a simple spreadsheet makes them really easy to see

There are resources which are free and could give you more advice; try bms.org.uk for info and lists of private clinics. Also, lots of free info available via a private clinic website I use as I couldn't get help from my GP: private message me for details.

Something else to consider, I recently had covid and then had my routine hormone bloods done; my results were much lower than previously ( but I had switched from oestrogel to Lenzetto which, anecdotally, is less well absorbed than the gel). The Dr said that they were seeing reductions in peoples hormone levels that appear to be linked to covid infection, but its a chicken and egg situation. They are trying to get funding to do a research study into the link.

I have been told by my private Dr that I can take HRT for as long as I need it, age is not an issue ( as someone said above). My GP however was instantly talking about stopping it as I am 62. Even if it just empowers you with information that you can pass on to your GP , look for private sources of guidance.

Best of luck.

[SarahJane1471]

There us absolutely no need for you to come off HRT. You can take it for the test of your life. It “replaces” hormones that you will never get back! Please google Dr Louise Newsom …she is The Menopause Doctor and explains everything very succinctly