I’m on T3 only and have been very successful with it for quite a few years. A couple of years back owing to becoming a laydee of a certain age, I was prescribed desogestrel (a progesterone only pill) to keep my hormones levels stable. I had found they were dipping regularly and my dose hadn’t changed.
Over the last month or so, as well as a few other symptoms that I know are hormonal, I’m feeling very hypo - no energy, no motivation, tinnitus, muscle weakness, dizziness, etc etc etc. I did bloods a few weeks back and things were a wee bitty high so I reduced a little. I feel worse so figure that’s not it.
I’m almost 100% that I need an increase in progesterone, but the GP is reluctant saying it’s part of an HRT regime and can’t be given alone. I worry as I’ve suffered in the past with higher oestrogen that if I do that, the same will happen and cancel out any benefit if the progesterone.
So I just wonder if anyone else has tried progesterone/hrt replacement and how did you get on? I guess I’m interested particularly in anyone on T3 only as this is so much more reactive to supplementation with anything, but I’d be interested in hearing how anyone has got on balancing levels throughout peri and menopause.
Thanks!
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Murphysmum
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Well why don’t you start on the lowest dose of oestrogen 25mg with 100mg Utrogestan? It’s not oestrogen per se that’s going to give you symptoms, it’s that you need to get the BALANCE in terms of oestrogen & progesterone. I’m not very knowledgeable about prescribing HRT during peri but the place to go for info is Louise Newson & the balance app.
If I understand correctly, there are different types of oestrogen produced naturally, one type produced from fat cells (which isn’t healthy for you) & some from the ovaries (which does all the good stuff). When the ovaries stop producing oestrogen during meno, the adrenals produce some IF you are lucky & depending how effectively they are working/stressed they are. The oestrogen given in HRT is the body identical type to that produced by the ovaries, I think. So, you may not feel rubbish on that. Oestrogen supplementation is a bit like thyroid supplements in that everyone has a different sweet spot. Hence it can take some tinkering to find yours. Some women find it very quickly. For me, it was more complicated but I still feel better on it than off.
The only other thing to bear in mind is that oestrogen interferes with the thyroid hormone pathway of both T3 & T4, so you will need to check your levels if you increase oestrogen ad you may need to increase your T3. Wait 3mths between each dose adjustment to see the impact of any dose changes. It’s a marathon not a sprint using HRT so patience is needed X
What I found with utrogestan was my anxiety spiked when taking 2x tablets nightly for 2 weeks, then 2 weeks off. I was much better on 1 continuous nightly dose.
I also need to make adjustments to thyroid medication super slowly, either increases or decreases, as large adjustments can also spike my anxiety. Perhaps you decreased too quickly?
That’s really interesting. I struggled to tolerate Utrogestan when I doubled the dose to stop breakthrough bleeding. It gave me dreadful insomnia when it’s meant to be a relaxant & aid sleep ! 🤷♀️
I'd suggest getting your testosterone levels tested, have they tested your oestrogen and progesterone levels or are they guessing? Randox do a female hormone test for around £30
Yes great idea about the testosterone. It can make such a difference to some women.
However, if you take testosterone without oestrogen & you are not fully oestrogenised, your body converts the testosterone to oestrogen & so you don’t feel the benefits of the testosterone. Also blood levels of oestrogen, progesterone & testosterone are notoriously unreliable, especially in peri menopause as they can fluctuate wildly. If you’re menopausal, they are sometimes helpful to give an idea of what your levels are BUT always do a venous draw for these, not fingerprick.
Just some of the stuff I’ve learned on my HRT journey, I have a brilliant meno specialist. I think I’ve suggested before to try & get specialist advice if you can afford to go private.. Good luck x
However, if you take testosterone without oestrogen & you are not fully oestrogenised, your body converts the testosterone to oestrogen & so you don’t feel the benefits of the testosterone.
This was my thinking that using testosterone to allow the body to balance both oestrogen and testosterone might be a better route?
I agree nightmare whilst still cycling thankfully I'm out the other side and have found my balance 😅
Sorry should have added Randox do a device called Tasso (+£20) to do blood draws for hormone tests to avoid contamination, it's the only test I've found that does them all at a very reasonable price... randoxhealth.com/en-GB/at-h...
Oh that’s an interesting thought about the O & T. I don’t know much about it to say. I was also told to make sure any vaginal atrophy is well treated with oestrogen, because if you add in T & your libido increases & you have a lot more sex, then ouch ouch ouch! 😩
I’m pleased I’ve bumped into you here. I’m always looking for women with experience and knowledge about HRT, especially in relation to autoimmune & thyroid conditions. I’m having a few problems with mine again but will make a thread about that at a later date. ☺️
This is the strategy I have used with HRT, just enough oestrogen to deal with the symptoms and keep my testosterone mid range to act as a pool if my body decides I need more oestrogen and it seems to have found it's happy place 🙃
SHBG is a very useful gauge but of course I'm thankfully working from quite a level state
This Tasso sounds very interesting and it would save me a journey into London to get my blood drawn via the Medichecks route as I don’t like finger prick tests. Have you tried it? Is it fool proof? Thanks.
Oooh, thanks! Randox only charge an extra £20, so at £30 each this is a more expensive route. That said, it includes postage and is still cheaper than paying for phlebotomy.
I'd looked in the past and not found a supplier, it is a bit more but then Randox will only send you one with a hormone test £50 so that makes it a £20 saving 😁🫠
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