I’ve been on thyroid replacement for about six years now and starting to feel that quite soon I will have improved as much as I’m going to and I’m wondering if HRT could be the last part of what I need to feel more like me. I’ve remained reasonably well all things considered but it’s as though I’m a shadow of my former self. I can feel “me” lurking but I’m just out of reach
I really suffered during menopause and resolutely avoided HRT but I’m now realising how stupid that was
Would this be a useful test to do and then come back here with the results or would maybe seeing one of the Balance doctors be more prudent given that my female hormones knowledge is weak
This is a post I was soon to write. Thank you for getting there first. I myself have been medicated with levo for hypo for 7 yrs now. I too have really been going through the menopause bad and doc wants me to try hrt gel.
My FSH test came back as abnormal high at 44.8. This shows I am well into and or nearer the end part of menopause. However long is left is like how long is a piece of string eh!
I am an early menopause at 45 and have had peri to menopause for over 3 years now.
I am on the journey now with improving my vitamins which came back as terrible.
But yes, I too wonder if hrt is what is missing for me as that final hurdle.
Thanks for your response Demitria and all the best in your search for a solution
It’s true that you don’t know if the end is near and all I would say to that is, even after you’re through menopause, be prepared for some surprises but hopefully because you’re at a stable stage in your hypothyroidism (I’m assuming you are) then reaching your goal won’t be as complicated and convoluted
I had been going through the peri stage without realising then it seemed that menopause came abruptly at 41. Even then I didn’t twig what was going on … perhaps having undiagnosed Hashi’s complicated things. Who knows
Anyway, 22 years later in many ways I still feel menopausal. It’s almost as though I’m not quite done yet. Hot flushes persist and remind me that I’m of a certain age
I personally just bit the bullet and gave HRT a go Noelnoel, although many other members tested levels first.
I tried oestrogen patches for 2 months alongside utrogestan (2 tablets every night for 2 weeks on/ 2 weeks off) but this didnt alleviate my symptoms, so I changed to oestrogen gel and 1 tablet progesterone daily (no breaks) and thankfully this worked. What I’ve learned is that HRT is a bit like thyroid medication, it’s very much trial and error to see what works best for you. Thankfully my GP / advanced nurse practitioner have been happy to support me trialling different products/ amounts, so I didn’t need to see a specialist regarding HRT.
When I trialled taking 2 utrogestan, I had symptoms of massive anxiety, akin to when I first developed thyroid symptoms. These resolved when I reduced to 1. I’ve found it beneficial to monitor my symptoms closely in a diary and to try different products/ combinations.
It may be that the cream is too strong for you when taken for consecutive nights; some women find it more tolerable to use it x1 week on an ongoing basis.
I’ve stopped the cream now and will take a break. Will resume when the se horrible symptoms subside and then try as you suggest, on a weekly basis to see what happens
I wouldn’t waste money on tests - it’s not really recommended except for young women with suspected early menopause. You know you’re in menopause so you don’t need tests. They aren’t used to determine dosage like our thyroid bloods are - I’d just ask for a trial of HRT and go from there. Hope it helps.
HRT helps to prevent osteoporosis by increasing your level of oestrogen.
I was heavily oestrogen dominant in the past to the point that beasts were very heavy and extremely uncomfortable all the time. I think I will after all take the test to check oestrogen levels before embarking on HRT, even though dosage isn’t determined by what tests say. if I find my oestrogen is still high it would probably be safer not to take HRT
I’ve taken a yam progesterone for some years and it has helped enormously. Perhaps I’ll just have to accept that I’m one of those who will have to make do
I think you’re right and that’s why I struggled through menopause, I just didn’t want to take the risk
Having suffered enough now I’m ready to try but I’ll be looking for more specialist help and doing my own research as my GP didn’t take into consideration my history of endometriosis. She reassured me the oestriol, or was it oestradiol, in Ovestin was a tiny quantity and it is but it had a powerful effect within hours. Some of us are just more sensitive
One of the side effects is linked to Ovarian cancer, my sister was diagnosed with this, she had the gene check and it wasn't present so it wasn't related to that. I never took it and am fine.
Research shows that using oestrogen-only or combined HRT increases a woman’s risk of ovarian cancer. It is thought that only 1% of ovarian cancer cases are linked to HRT use, and women should discuss all risks and benefits with their consultant when making decisions about its use.
It depends on your 'risk factors'. At present the NHS states 'If you're under 60 years old, have menopause symptoms, and are not at high risk of breast cancer or blood clots, the benefits of HRT are likely to outweigh the risks.'
If you have breast cancer in the family then risks would need to be re-evaluated.
There's also the Randox female hormone test which is cheaper than the Medichecks one at £29. (Not sure if the 20% discount can also be applied?) Also not sure how they compare with what they test. But may be worth considering?
I've used Randox before and it all went smoothly though I should point out I don't have connections with either company but have used both for blood tests.
Thank you, that’s half the price and yes, it’s the same test
csj pointed out that post menopause testing is a waste of money because they’re not used to determine dosage but for younger women this Randox test will be useful to know about
I'm post menopause I beleive as my periods stopped many years ago (now age 55) Looking back I had lots of period issues from late 20/ early 30's so it all happened earlier for me.
I did the Randox health one for interest to see what my levels were. Also with intention to post here so the more knowledgeable ones can comment but not done so yet. I was never offered any help through the GP despite asking when I thought I was having an early menopause just left to get on with it 🤷🏼♂️ so just bobbled on through the best I could.
I've found it useful to do. I'm still titrating up with my thyroid hormones and feel like it's all part of the bigger hormone jigsaw.
I have no idea if (apart from estrogen) if I need any HRT now although it's never been suggested to me by any GP.
My period problems pre and post menopause were all happening well before I discovered the healthunlocked forums and until now never felt able to challenge what I was told by my GP.
I was diagnosed with Estrogen + breast cancer last year and felt that my hormones were out of balance & needed to be checked.
I found a very useful & informative website and as a result had a (private) consultation & saliva test for which I’m awaiting results. I read that the saliva test is more accurate than blood test but I am in no way scientific or medical to argue this!
Thanks for your reply & interest. Atm I’m fine thank you and just beginning to see good effect from starting ERFA. Also ploughing my way through a pile of borrowed Dr John Lee books starting with Hormone balance made simple. I wish Id known years ago about how hormones affect each other. So much info in the book and here on this site.
It makes me so sad, not to mention angry, to read here how so many people are struggling to find optimal health and how they are just not being listened to. I reckon I’ve been a member of this group for 40+ years and still battling, now mainly privately & expensively. Strange really as I heard someone on the radio saying how worried the Government is at the number of people off work through chronic ill health.
I wish Id known years ago about how hormones affect each other
They’re such powerful chemicals and the whole body is compromised when just one of them decides to play up. It may not be noticed at first but rest assured, havoc will ensue
No need to apologise for a political comment. Admin may object but I don’t, personally. I think it’s interesting to hear other’s views and I happen to agree with you on this
I think the government is well aware the NHS is a wreck in progress but they can’t publicly admit to it and like you and so many others on here, I’m very angry at how ill people are getting because of the lack of knowledge and poor training. Don’t get me started 😬
But you’re on the mend and that’s to be thankful for. That and the fact that you have the wherewithal to read and learn and to grow into the role of being your own advocate. The public is largely unaware of what a mess it is and how the professionals can actually make us more ill. Who’d have thought
Hi if you’re over 45 blood tests for menopause symptoms are a waste of time, HRT should be prescribed on symptoms alone. Transdermal HRT is extremely low risk if started within 10 years of your last period. There is a lot of misinformation out there about the dangers of taking it unfortunately. You mention the Balance app, have a look at Dr Louise Newsons website for lots of information on the subject of menopause and HRT. The tricky bit is identifying whether symptoms are caused by the menopause or thyroid as several symptoms overlap. It may be best to trail HRT and see how you get on particularly as it has other health benefits for the heart and bones. As it’s a hormone it is a journey to get the mix and dose right and you need to wait around 3 months to feel the benefits. Hope that helps.
Yes, cjs mentioned that testing is a waste of time and it’s saved me at least £60
I started looking at the app a few weeks ago and got a bit bogged down but will go back to it and consider making an appointment because I’m going to need help. As you rightly say, there are many overlapping symptoms
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