FSH level, What should it be? Options

[pemmy]

I read warsawite's post. If you suddenly stop your period and don't have any spotting or discharge, does that mean your uterus lining is thickening and do you need to get it taken care of? Before this year, I might have missed one or two periods or they were kind of late or early. This year I missed two in a row, then got one, and have not had one for 4 months. I have had no spotting or discharge, etc. I had bloodwork done at an endocrinologist in April for parathyroid, thyroid and adrenal. She had done a lot other ones, too. I didn't know that she did at the time. I saw her again in Aug but didn't ask about them as I thought they are in normal range. I mentioned I had missed a few periods. When I got a copy of my labs, I see FSH is 24.5. It is in normal range according to their reference range. What does that mean? My Luteinizing Hormone-17.6 Prolactin 16.4 Estradiol 161 Where am I at on the peri-menopause rollercoaster? I do understand hormones flucuate. I see her again in Nov. This is for parathyroid and thyroid. I will have to ask about the female hormones. When I think of it, the last few years, I could have been in peri with being tired, weight gain, aches, and can't sleep at night.. Then again, it could be from hyperparathyroid disease as I had high calcium and pth levels back in Dec/Jan. Now in normal range. Then I think it was my thyroid going wacky as TSH in Aug. was 3.15. Dr says normal range. FT4 0.83 normal range. She did not do FT3. Triiodotyhronine 118-normal. My antibodies are 250 and 172. Out of range but dr is not concerned at they are not in the 1,000's. Now I have had high bp, heart palps, high heart rate kind of going up now. I was on a beta blocker but stopped in July. Had cardi work up a couple of weeks ago/ekg, echo ultrasound, and treadmill test(showed my bp went up on treadmill test, something about low resting heart rate, and I have pvc's. I could go on Coreg as it has a low dosage pill. I was on metoprolol-trying to cut a 25 mg in 4ths to take 6.25 mg twice a day. I asked in July if I could get off as I had low bp and hr readings.) I am not tired in the daytime anymore but still can't sleep at night. I have started to get night sweats or hot at night-covers off/covers on. I have had mood swings. I don't know if I need hrt at this time. Seems my symptons could be from any of the above. I am wondering if FSH level is low meaning soon to go to 0? Should I be concerned about uterine lining? I have not gone to a gyno dr yet. When I told my pcp(internal medical) in July that I had missed a few periods, he asks do you have a gyno dr. I said no. He said we can give you names of a few. Oh, great. Okay, I don't know if this post should be in this forum. Looks like I could post several of the above in different forums. Thanks! Pam

[Juliann]

Hi Pemmy,

I think on the FSH test, levels for normal is up to 20, anything over 20 is heading into peri. My FSH level was tested this year and came back at 39. I have been skipping periods since last year and this year have only had one solid period ( in July). I am in the midst of meno.

Eventually your body will stop having periods, so I think the uterus will naturally shed off if there is enough build up. I'm not sure if the lining needs to be checked often, unless you are on hormones, then it may be an issue??? I don't know.

If your FSH is 24, then I think you are entering peri and that is why you are having all the symptoms. Of course ask your doctor to be sure.

I don't know anything about thyroid conditions, but I do know that the symptoms can be very similar to perimenopause.

It takes time to get all this figured out, I wish you all the best.

Juliann

[scooterfroogie]

I have had my FSH checked 4 times since April. 3.8, 40, 90, 118. I am 46 and my last period was April. Wonder where I am??

[Floater]

I have had my FSH checked 4 times since April. 3.8, 40, 90, 118. I am 46 and my last period was April. Wonder where I am??

Based on those FSH levels you are in menopause. Your FSH is so high cuz it is telling those ovaries to pump out an egg...which they obviously are not!!

I stopped having periods when I was 46, too.

[Mopsy3]

My FSH went from normal and then a few years later, it is around 120 (can't remember the exact numbers). My periods got closer together right away and then less and less. I haven't had one since Dec. 2 so I have half a year to go and if nothing happens, then I am done.

Mopsy

[gazelle]

My FSH went from normal and then a few years later, it is around 120 (can't remember the exact numbers). My periods got closer together right away and then less and less. I haven't had one since Dec. 2 so I have half a year to go and if nothing happens, then I am done.

Mopsy

Am curious to know, Mopsy, since your periods have stopped are you feeling better or worse?
Do you take hormones?

[Mopsy3]

Hi Gazelle:

Yes, I am feeling better but I am still getting some hot flashes and a little anxiety (I think the anxiety might have something to do with my Mom being ill though). I haven't had a migraine since my periods have stopped either so that is a plus. I think the walking, yoga and lifting weights really helps too and I try to eat really healthy, but I do enjoy desserts on weekends . But, yes, I do feel better. I am still taking the over the counter Progest cream. I am unsure if I will continue that or not. I think I will until I know I am done. I know my doctor said there is no reason why I have to stop taking it at this point so we will wait and see.

Mopsy

[Iradan]

I mentioned I had missed a few periods. When I got a copy of my labs, I see FSH is 24.5. It is in normal range according to their reference range. What does that mean? My Luteinizing Hormone-17.6 Prolactin 16.4 Estradiol 161 Where am I at on the peri-menopause rollercoaster?

Hi Pam,
Based on FSH you are indeed menopausal, your high estradiol is another indication, how widely hormones fluxing during this time, I really not sure what is going on, your estradiol is normal, and FSH is menopausal range.
I can tell you my blood work, my day 3 estradiol is 35, and FSH was 14, which is perimenopausal range, and it is consistent with low estradiol, but I don't miss a period yet.
If you missing periods, you are getting close to menopause, it can be lack of progesterone, or low estradiol, despite your blood work.
The thyroid alone can cause missed periods, so you need to outrule hypoT, I think.
Bottom line, only time can tell, if you continue missing periods, then eventually, you will be in menopause after a year.
HTH,
I.

[kimdnov]

If you are on hormones, does that change your fsh?

I was taking hormones for 3 months and then got my blood work done?

Kim

[Floater]

Kim my FSH level was lower on hormones that it was before I started them. I think it was about 56 before hormones and 35 after I was on them for a year. I am post too.

[sunflowermmh]

I see the original post was some time ago, but wanted to say that in 2006 my FSH was 17 and my Dr. said it was peri #'s my estro was 32...this actually began the almost so far 3 year run of double cycles a mo. with heavy bleeding...had another FSH done about 1 1/2 yrs' ago and it was 36 and estro was 23ish and on continue my double cycles and relentless spotting between.....had it tested again 6 mo. ago and FSH was 66 ...estro 12.....I miss my first cycle in Jan. and feb. and think oh what a relief...I actually felt fairly good for the first time in awhile.....it comes again and suddenly it is more regular than it has been in 3 years....how can that be.....how fristrating i feel like i have to start all over. I also feel like I got some kind of surge(is all I can call it) of estro because my breasts were so sore all mo. long while my cycle was regular again which is one symptom that was gone the whole time I was having 2 a mo......and now the past 30 or so days it is gone again....so my surge must be over. Oh the not knowing what is going on is torture. HUGS Mikki

[goingcrazytoday]

If you are on hormones, does that change your fsh?

I was taking hormones for 3 months and then got my blood work done?

Kim

Kim, I was told it does change the fsh level. I was on the vivelle dot before I got my fsh level tested. The Dr. that gave me the patch, said fsh wasnt 'necessary'. BLAH. When I switched Drs. I had it tested & it was 0.7. The NP said she had never seen an fsh as low as mine?She talked to the Dr. about it & he said if I had been on hormones before testing, it will lower the number?

Makes me wonder what mine was before the hormones, I'm sure the hormone patch couldn't have lowered it that drastically?Was barely readable?

Altho, I only have one ovary & I don't have a period anymore because of surgery..I wonder what in the heck is going on?I get so confused about all of this?Since my fsh level is low & my hormone #'s just seem to be declining..Does that mean I am just in hormone decline. It would be nice if I weren't so confused. Then again, if I didn't ever have the surgery, I wonder if I would be in this mess?
Amber