Hormone results

[suzybear]

Hi not sure if I'm posting in the rite place to ask about my hormone results . Oestrodial levels. Progesterone. Serum prolactin. Serum fsh. Serum Lh . Serum shbg etc ? If anyone can help with results I can put them down on here . Many thanks

[SlowDragon Administrator]

if you add results and ranges some members may be able to help

[suzybear in reply to SlowDragon]

Ok thanks I was just checking if I I was posting In the rite place first before adding the results. I'll add results now

[FallingInReverse in reply to suzybear]

It’s a good question! Because so many of us are peri/menopause and trying to detangle where our hypo vs our sex hormones are causing issues, you will find discussions about HRT frequently, and there’s some on the forum who likely will have helpful opinions on test results. : )

[suzybear in reply to FallingInReverse]

Ok thank you. Not sure with having hashimotos makes it worse. Ok fingers crossed I'll get some helpful opinions now I'm just posting results ☺️ I'm not sure how to edit my post to put results tho ?

Serum fsh 122.9 iu/L

Serum Lh level 59.7 iu/L

Serum oestradiol < 55 pmo/L

Serum progesterone 2 nmo/L

Serum prolactin. 277. Mu/L

Serum. Shbg. 47 nmo/L

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to suzybear]

Post meno with low oestrogen levels, so likely low testosterone too

[suzybear in reply to TiggerMe]

Ok thanks is the oestrogen quite low? Does the shbg test indicate the testosterone levels ?

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to suzybear]

300-500 is a general range for post meno

Low SHGB levels can be linked to being hypo

You'd need a testosterone test but as it can be changed into oestrogen if needed my guess was based on this being low

Have you a Free Androgen Index result? If that were high it would show an imbalance and suggest higher testosterone...

[suzybear in reply to TiggerMe]

Hi on my results list it says post menopause is <118 pmol/L . Mine is <55 pmo/L How is low shgb linked to being hypo ? I got hashimotos so don't know if that makes any difference. ?

No I didn't know about this androgen index being tested. I'm going to see an endocrinologist on Tuesday as I first asked to see one a year ago when I was first diagnosed with hypothyroid. Recently test results with raised tpo antibodys. Maybe I could ask endocrinologist for this test ?

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to suzybear]

Ranges vary but I would imagine you'd be quite symptomatic with it that low, if you are looking to supplement then 300-500 is generally the aim but as with everything it's very personalised.

Probably easier just to do a testosterone test

TPO shows the damage from attack, have you tried dairy or gluten free as this can affect it but tbh I wouldn't worry as you are now replacing the hormone so your thyroid isn't much use to you

[suzybear in reply to TiggerMe]

Hi do you mean 300-500 pmo/L ? Supplement you mean taking hrt? I don't know what to do really about hrt as I did try taking it over a year ago now before I was diagnosed with hypothyroid. The reason I asked to have blood test done at that time was when I decided to stop hrt only after a month was because I felt awful on it. Especially when I stopped progesterone as they said to do for 3 days was horrible. I had headaches and felt so unwell. So had thyroid test done and only tsh was checked then that came back at tsh 124 .92 mu/L . Serum free t4 4.2 pmo/L . Ref range (11.50-22.70 pmo/L)

6 months prior to this thyroid was checked for some reason which was tsh 3.99. Mu/L. Range (0.55-4.78)

Free t4 ( 14.1 pmo/L) this test was no action required when looking at it looks like I was on the borderline to me now. ! This is the reason I first asked to see an endo because the tsh that was sky high at 124.92 was sky high and wanted to know why and gp didn't have a clue.

But not sure if hrt flipped me over the edge ? I'm literally scared to take hrt now but in the last few months felt fatigued and not much motivation. Even tho prior to post menopause with my levothyroxine i started to feel my energy come back. Just feel like I don't know which one I'm battling against with hashis or post menopause . Maybe my thyroid meds are not quite rite and I had a few comments on here about my meds should be increased but gp won't do it

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to suzybear]

The hilarious joke on us girls is that you need to balance all of these hormones as they interact and all tend to go awol at the same time! I started on Levo felt a little better then added HRT patches again felt a little better but not right so went to a Menopause Clinic and switched to body identical and testosterone, bit better but still a steady deterioration to what felt like early onset... then found this forum and that I needed Lio and every took an upturn

So now I add it all and I'm a fully functioning human again, so adding one thing is rarely the answer balancing them all out is the key

edit, sorry didn't answer yes pmol/L for oestrogen... adding what you need until symptom free, people starting HRT often comment that they needed to tweak their thyroid dose

[suzybear in reply to TiggerMe]

Not sure if you seen In my message when I tried taking hrt before it was horrible and with previous thyroid test before I was even diagnosed with hypothyroid it looks as tho I did potentially have a thyroid problem as it looked borderline ? It was such a bad experience with hrt I don't know if I should try again . Someone mentioned to me ages ago just taking progesterone would be good as it is thyroid supportive ? Can I ask what is lio and every took an upturn ?

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to suzybear]

Probably adding HRT when your thyroid was already struggling could have made your thyroid even more sluggish so you get the double whammy, what form of HRT did they give you? They tried me on tablets which made me so nauseous then patches which weren't strong enough.

Yes progesterone and thyroid work together but it's your oestrogen levels that are rock bottom so taking both would be better

Lio = Liothyronine or T3 the active thyroid hormone as I don't convert Levo/ T4 very well

[suzybear in reply to TiggerMe]

I didn't realise at the time tho as I didn't look into my previous results until I was diagnosed with hypo. Doctor didn't say anything about it and my results was no action required. But looking back at tsh 3.99 mu/L It looks like I was borderline ? I was taking utrogestan (progesterone) took this internally as absorbs better so was told. Everol ( oestrogen patches)

Would you suggest anything else that can raise oestrogen and progesterone levels other than hrt? Not sure if I would need lio or not. Coz of my hashimotos I'm not sure still about my conversation with everything.

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to suzybear]

You seem to convert well looking at your last results perhaps an increase in T4 would be good so no need for Lio, but if your thyroid was playing up I wouldn't blame the HRT for feeling bad. I've no idea about other ways of raising oestrogen as it is a hormone and much like thyroid treatment it needs to be like for like.

There are herbal routes but they are very hit and miss

[suzybear in reply to TiggerMe]

Hi which results did you look at was it from my other post ? Don't think I put them on here. My gp won't raise my levothyroxine but maybe the endo will agree to raise it. Yes I understand I guess it has to be balanced if I look into herbal supplements. It's a tough one I guess 🙈

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to suzybear]

April 2024

Free T4 (fT4) 15.5 pmol/L (11.5 - 22.7) 35.7%

Free T3 (fT3) 5.5 pmol/L (3.5 - 6.5) 66.7%

I think the herbal things are more about masking symptoms than actually raising hormone levels... but I could be totally wrong!

[AKatieD]

Prog, oestrogen, shbg all look low if you are postmenopausal and lab ranges are like mine. But less store seems to be placed on lab results for sex hormones than for thyroid hormones. I would go to appointment armed with symptoms as well and be keep a close eye on your thyroid if/ when you start HRT.

[suzybear in reply to AKatieD]

Hi I didn't realise my hormone levels was so low until you've all mentioned on here. I did take hrt back a year ago now but was no where near post menopausal then. I didn't get on with hrt at all and felt horrible I felt like I was going mad bad moods so emotional and total melt down. Only for a month and I came off it all but I felt really bad the moment I had the 3 day break off progesterone but didn't continue to take it again as had bad headaches felt so tired and unwell. Went to the gp then who done some bloods including tsh and free t4 for thyroid which tsh was through the roof. came back at tsh 124 .92 mu/L . Serum free t4 4.2 pmo/L . Ref range (11.50-22.70 pmo/L)

Now reading some comments on here I think I must have been borderline anyway and didn't realise it because 6 months prior to this I had my thyroid test done

3.99. Mu/L. Range (0.55-4.78)

Free t4 ( 14.1 pmo/L) this test was no action required when looking at it looks like I was on the borderline to me now. !

This is the reason I first asked to see an endo because the tsh that was sky high at 124.92 was sky high and wanted to know why and gp didn't have a clue.

Recent thyroid peroxide antibody test I have raised antibodys / hashimotos.

Started feeling good last year when after a few months got my levothyroxine into my system but now the last few months feeling like my get up and go has gone. Motivation gone. Had complete melt down the other day as a few things dressed me out ( I also diagnosed with autism 6 years ago ).

Think I'm looking to find out if my meds are sufficient enough with seing the endo and also swing what they suggest with my hormones if they have the time for this.

Just don't know which is causing me my symptoms.

I don't get hot flushes. But the fatigue I think is worse. I don't feel like I got much strength . I done a massage for the first time in a while the other day and I was literally shaking and made me feel woozy .

Scared of hrt so feeling vulnerable about taking it again. Not sure what else could sort out my hormone levels tho ?

Sorry for the long post !

🙈🙈

[AKatieD]

It sometimes takes a while to get HRT sorted satisfactorily. A number of us are progesterone intolerant ( not sure if it is more likely if you are hypothyroid). Utrogestan certainly made me feel like a crazy zombie until I tried an alternative progesterone. I stood it for about a week. You may not agree, but I think persisting is worth it for the long term health benefits, if you don't feel too awful a can get support for a suitable alternative treatment (I had to go private).

I did not take HRT for hot flushes either but because it helps my joints. After I got the basic oestrogen/ progesterone bedded down, I started testosterone, which has been great for stamina and exercise recovery. I can actually breathe and jog slowly now!

Likewise with thyroid hormones, it is common to feel the initial uptick and then go backwards as your body adjusts. It can take a while to find the right solution. I think that it probably means you need more hormones than the initial starter dose or maybe your T4 does not convert well to T3 (but you would need your free T3 levels too to work that out).

Hope the endo helps but don't be surprised if they are useless. That is why most of us are here - to learn how to look after our own health when the system won't.

Best of luck

[suzybear]

AKatieD hi sorry for the delay. Can I ask what alternative progesterone you used ? I'm not sure if it was the oestrogen that made me feel bad but I was so emotional crying most of the time and the headaches and extreme tiredness started when I was advised about the 3 day break off progesterone so I just totally stopped everything. I meant to ask did you mean my lab ranges are same as yours ? What symptoms would you think I would be having with my low ranges ? I just want to be certain it's not thyroid symptoms. I don't feel tired as such it's just my strength seems to have declined and feel shakey and wobbly after my heart rate goes up a bit. Just can't exert myself to do things like I used to. I used to be quite fit. As for conversion of T4 to T3 this was my last test

I think my tsh was 1.7

Free T4 (fT4) 15.5 pmol/L (11.5 - 22.7) 35.7%

Free T3 (fT3) 5.5 pmol/L (3.5 - 6.5) 66.7%

Do you think I convert quite well ?

Well my endo app wasn't great to be honest. I was told they only go by looking at tsh. Didn't want to know about T3 or T4. Asked me if I'm depressed. Didn't agree to increase my meds. Wouldn't agree to do the other thyroid antibody test thyroglobulin said it's no need because I had thyroid peroxide antibody test.

Told him I sometimes get shooting pains in my neck so he felt my neck and said there is slight inflammation but didn't suggest anything. Said I need to raise my ferritin which I am in the process of doing . Mentioned about my fatigue and other symptoms like dry eyes. Tennis elbow. Dry hair and brittle nails. Said this is down to my hormone levels and suggested hrt .

Got a bit sarcastic towards the end of app I think coz I was asking questions. He said well I think we've been around Scotland Ireland and Wales and back lol.

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to suzybear]

With results like these I'd suggest trialling a small increase in T4 to give you more storage hormone to get it nearer 70%... how much wiggle room have you with your prescription regime if you are quick at getting your repeats?

Sounds like your adrenals are struggling which can make you weak and wobbly are you getting a decent amount of Vit C and salt which the adrenals need?

You might find using progesterone vaginally makes for an easier ride, I found orally it made me punch drunk but after a month of vaginal use I switched back without issue and it's great to aid sleep

Sorry I haven't actually read back through the whole thread so this jumps around a bit

[suzybear in reply to TiggerMe]

Thank you for your reply. I can order my repeat prescription on the NHS app for my doctor surgery. So I could trial a small increase. I'm also working on my ferritin level so I thought with raising this might help my thyroid conversion levels ? I had a cortisol test done back last month i think which looks a bit on the high side. I'd have to refer back to my other post but it's on here.

I have to say I'm probably not taking enough vitamin c and haven't tried it with salt.

I didn't know if it was to do with my low hormone levels ?

I haven't taken hrt for over a year after my bad experience with it. I only took it for a month and then my thyroid issues started which at first I blamed it on the hrt.

But only recently found out I was already borderline hypothyroid before diagnosis .

I did use it vaginally when I used progesterone. But the 3 day break that was suggested with progesterone made me ill bad headache and extreme tiredness. Then found out I had an extremely high level tsh over 120 pmo/l

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to suzybear]

It's a juggling act as hormones all interact, I'm not sure about the 3 day break with progesterone? I just used it every other day when vaginally as opposed to every night orally without breaks once post meno

I wouldn't let your initial experience with HRT put you off it was just bad timing with your thyroid... same with me but once you get things balanced it's bloomin brilliant! 🤗

[suzybear in reply to TiggerMe]

As I still had a period at the time I was advised you have a 3 day break with progesterone. I might be brave and try it again or even just try the progesterone without the oestrogen. As apparently there can be stored oestrogen in your body which is released from the cells when you take progesterone alone. A lady I've been chatting to just takes progesterone and is doing well on it. As for my cortisol level I'm Serum cortisol 737 nmol/L

I'm glad you are feeling a lot better yourself ! ☺️

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to suzybear]

Still strange advice as it should be 15 days off to allow for periods? It falls to your adrenal glands to make sex hormones once post meno so it helps to give them a bit of love

Worth giving it another try to see if you can get the recipe right, but with oestrogen levels as low as yours don't hesitate to trial it again but perhaps with a transdermal spry or gel so you have more control over the dosing?

Serum cortisol can be high and then plummet but also isn't a good indicator of the levels of free cortisol throughout the day which is why saliva tests are recommended as they can show a very different picture