I just wondered if low oestradial affects the thyroid? I have been on HRT since March and my level is still only 197 pmol/L. I use 3 sprays of Lenzetto. I wondered if it could be affecting my thyroid function? I don’t have menopause symptoms, I had bottom of range testosterone, but this is now in range after HRT.
Does your thyroid levels affect your oestradial level?
I have just been switched to a gel as was told the blood tests on the spray Lenzetto aren’t always accurate. Is this correct? Has anyone else heard this? So my GP suggested switching to a gel.
Thanks in advance for your help.
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CornishChick
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Why are you on HRT if you don´t have menopausal symptoms? Or did they go away with HRT?
The reason functional doctors prescribe topical estrogen is that it does not interfere with the thyroid like oral estrogen does. I know that estrogen dominance (too much estrogen relative to progesterone) can impact the thyroid. Are you also on progesterone?
I have read that, when on topical estrogen, levels should not be measured in blood but in saliva, for the most accurate results.
OK, but I am a bit intrigued as to why they put you on all three hormones if your T levels were low. You can take just testosterone . My own experience is that both E and P can mess you up pretty badly, even body-identical, transdermal hormones.
I retain a lot of fluid, and I also started having pimples in my 40s which I suspect are caused by HRT. My facial skin, which used to be dryish, is now oily. I was put on HRT by a functional doctor and was told that body-identical HRT and especially transdermal estrogen have no side effects if used properly.
I know that fluid retention is a symptom of hypothyroidism, but it got worse after I was put on HRT.
Also, I´ve had a worrying increase of facial hair, especially on my upper lip and chin, and have even been considering electrolysis to get rid of it permanently.
Yes, the interesting thing is I was told T was borderline low so I was put on it, but then it ended up out of range even with the lowest dose (Testogel from your fingertip to the first joint) and I went off it. But it has remained highish, so maybe I am making T from some other hormone. I don´t take DHEA, though.
That is what I was told...there testosterone drugs designed for women have been discontinued (there used to be one called Testo-Fem or something like that) so we use the same products as men, only a lot less. I was told a man should use the size of his palm to measure it, a woman about her finger to get ca 1 cm (from fingertip to first joint).
I got it from the pharmacy (with a prescription). I am not sure though that it´s available in all countries. There are several brands of testosterone, another one being called Androgel (bottle).
I’ve been on levo for 30 years. I consulted a private hormone specialist GP who said it’s best to try HRT to increase testosterone, not to take testosterone straight off. To be fair my testosterone doubled within the first few months, so she was right.
Everyone I speak to said they feel better on HRT, I don’t. But then I didn’t have menopause symptoms and my insomnia I’ve had since age 30 and subsequently had two children nearer 40, so the perimenopause was not causing insomnia.
So, estradiol and/or progesterone increase testosterone? That´s interesting, because most functional doctors recommend either pregnenolone or DHEA or both to do that.
Yes they do, the private gp specialises in woman’s hormones. Worked for me. I’ve tried DHEA and pregnenalone but for below range DHEA. Could that be why my testosterone is also low then?
I think it's more a case of testosterone doesn't get used up being converted to estrogen when that is running low, so if you replace the estrogen your adrenals might be able to produce enough testosterone without supplementing that too
I'm thinking the finger tip blood tests are no good if using transdermal as it is hard not to contaminate the sample... same would be true for the gel
Some find the gel a little stronger? It depends how well you absorb so trial and error as ever.... I'm post meno and use 4 sprays to get what I need, which puts my level at 231pmol/L
I certainly found that when my thyroid hormones were low all my sex hormones went down the pan
What are your latest thyroid levels doing? Certainly changing one hormone has a knock on effect with binding hormones
My ft4 is only 48% through range, but I can’t convince the female gp to increase my levo as my TSh is dire since I used to take T3, so she wants to reduce my levo!
FT3 has always been top of range or over when I trialled T3.
Yes this female GP knows a lot about HRT but thinks my levo should be reduced. My usual male GP is lovely and actually told me yesterday to ignore her, and even said he’d tell her to leave my levo well alone!
Without T3 my FT3 is always top of range. Yes I did stop T3 as I didn’t feel any better on it.
Also, estrogen dominance is known to mess with thyroid hormone levels. It does not mean having out of range estradiol levels, just that you have too much estradiol relative to progesterone. A certain balance between the two is necessary. Are you also on progesterone?
I started with the 2 week break but then switched to every day to see if it helped me sleep, but it didn’t. I don’t feel any different on HRT no matter how I take it.
Hello TiredThyroid50, please could you tell me more about this. Everywhere I have looked I have seen that once you have no womb you don't need progesterone. I had a hysterectomy (for cancer) at 34, now 67 and get pregnancy symptoms when I use the prescribed oestradiol gel. Am sure my body needs progesterone as well. If you have information on this I'd be very grateful.
My GP prescribed Utrogestan for me to go alongside my Estrogen Gel. I have no womb but we agreed it might help my energy levels. She says there is no point having blood tests for sex hormones as when you are peri/menopausal the hormones are different everyday. Symptoms alone are enough to diagnose.
Ps. I did not like Utrogestan it made me jittery and no sleep. Although many women say it helps improve sleep
Thanks SarahJane, my GP just rubbished the idea of progesterone as well and everyone says the same about testing, but I'm hoping TiredThyroid has more info.
I have a really good relationship with my GP and I just suggested it to help with my energy levels. This was last year. She agreed and I used it for about 3 months. It didn’t suit me. If you have tried all other things then asking for a trial should be no problem.
HRT has traditionally only been oestrogen replacement for women who have had a hysterectomy but now there is thought that progesterone has many other health giving properties beyond protecting the endometrium from unopposed oestrogen.
Progesterones main contribution is towards neurological health after hysterectomy (and menopause) but it also helps with our bone health just as oestrogen does.
I'm sure this info is stated somewhere in Balance (Louise Newman) and there are plenty of research papers you could show your doctor.
Thank you so much radd, this is very helpful, I have a new GP now so will discuss this with him and, since I have osteopoenia, you may have saved my bones.
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