Utrogestan & Estradot. Help needed

[130396]

I started using Estradot patches earlier in the year and it was increased to 200 patches x 2 times a week.

I wasn’t feeling too great and my ankles started to get swollen also got constipation!!

I had a blood test done which showed my Oestradiol was 1,642 so crazy high!!! My Gp reduced the patch to 100 twice a week. However, my ankles are still swollen and I still have constipation.

At the time my Oestradiol was tested my tsh ft4 and ft3 was also tested and I found that my Ft4 and ft3 had dropped a bit so Gp increased t4 but kept T3 same dose .

I’ve now been in lower dose patch for 8 weeks and increased T4 for 8 weeks. I still have swollen ankles and constipation!!!

About 3/4 weeks ago I started using bio identical progesterone cream ( had previously used this for 6 years on its own) .

My Gp is now considering giving me Utrogestan in place of the bio identical progesterone cream.

I have today found out that Estradot is actually made from soy!! Is this a problem?

Anyone else on Estradot patches & Utrogestan?

Any thoughts as to if my ankles and constipation has been caused by the Estradot??

Many thanks

[FancyPants54]

You should not be relying on a progesterone cream if using 100mg patch. You need to use Utrogestan. You may find, that after it has settled, it sorts your swelling out. But oestrogen can bind to thyroid. They say transdermal doesn't, but I beg to differ.

However, I have swollen feet and ankles and I suspect it's the HRT. But I am a much happier person with it so put up with the feet.

[130396 in reply to FancyPants54]

Why should I not be using 100mg of progesterone cream? I won’t want to use Utrogestan if it has soy in it

[FancyPants54 in reply to 130396]

Because cream is not absorbed well enough to give you protection of the uterus. There are no licensed cream or gel progesterone preparations anywhere that are reliable enough for full protection. This is because the molecules of progesterone are too big for skin absorption.

"Utrogestan is a type of progestogen called micronised progesterone. It is derived from plants including yams, the root vegetable, and it is identical in structure to the hormone progesterone produced in our bodies. "

It's made by taking the vegetable molecules to create the progesterone in a lab. There is no discernible vegetable matter in it. It's a starting point. It's our own progesterone, identical in molecular structure and it's licensed to give full uterine protection when taking HRT. Unless you have had your womb removed including the cervix, you need more than a cream to protect you.

[SarahJane1471 in reply to FancyPants54]

Do you need progesterone if you still have a cervix but no womb?

[130396 in reply to SarahJane1471]

Yes

[SarahJane1471 in reply to 130396]

Can I ask why? I have cervix but only use estrogen should I be aski for both?

[130396 in reply to SarahJane1471]

You need progesterone to counteract the effects of estrogen as you have a cervix. Without progesterone the risk of getting cervical cancer is huge

[130396]

I don’t have a uterus so don’t need it for b endometrium protection

[radd in reply to 130396]

130396,

I think the amount of soya lecithin in Utrogestan is too small to be considered a risk regarding alteration to thyroid hormone processing but is aimed more towards people who suffer serious reactions such as anaphylactic shock.

Many members with Hashi including myself take Utrogestran with no side effects but if you have a problem with some fillers then you are right to be mindful. Excipients as stated in the PIL are sunflower oil, soybean lecithin, gelatin, glycerol, titanium dioxide, purified water.

A large dose of oestrogen can raise transport carriers that risk binding thyroid hormones too. Patches & transdermal gel avoids the liver but some members have still required a Levo increase, perhaps due to the recycled amounts and your levels went sky high.

Good info from FancyPants54 regarding the need for balanced O & P for uterus protection. However, if you don't have a uterus then progesterone need not be taken unless levels are so low and you are missing other protective properties it contains. If you are considering it to offset the effects of oestrogen (that can be quite aggressive) then just lower your oestrogen levels further. The patches are available in much lower doses and it is important not to have higher oestrogen levels than your body can deal with.

If this were me I would also be looking at supporting liver function to try improve clearance of those oestrogen levels that went sky high.