Labwork while on BCPs Options

[shar14]

Does labwork have any meaningful value when taking the birth control pill? Even though it suppresses your hormones can labwork still give you an idea of if you're needing more estrogen/progesterone or getting too much of either or will the labs be pretty consistent depending on the levels in the BCP you're taking? Just wondering if testing is even worthwhile on them and if it's not how can you gauge what you need other than just guessing?

[Lady E]

Does labwork have any meaningful value when taking the birth control pill? Even though it suppresses your hormones can labwork still give you an idea of if you're needing more estrogen/progesterone or getting too much of either or will the labs be pretty consistent depending on the levels in the BCP you're taking? Just wondering if testing is even worthwhile on them and if it's not how can you gauge what you need other than just guessing?

I don't think the tests would tell anything except for the amount that the bcp puts in your body-ask your dr though,they will know for sure.GOD-bless

[JZZ]

Your labs can be tested during the week of inert pills to check various hormone levels. (Both Vliets and Redmonds books discuss this). Based on how you feel then you can continue the current bcp or change to another one. Many types of bcp's are available and just a diffent ratio of e to P, or a different type of P can make a world of difference in how you feel. good luck.

[skiergirl]

Hi shar,
I too, have heard that it's best to test your hormone levels during the week you are not taking active pills. I think, however, that you could still have some of the bcp hormones in your system during the placebo week; my doctor said it can take a few weeks or even months to completely clear the hormones from your system. However, if you are having meno symptoms even while you are taking active pills, I would think that lab work could be valuable. I took bcp's for awhile to alleviate my peri symptoms (and for birth control), and they worked great for a few months. Later, though, many of my symptoms returned even while I was taking the bcp. I wanted my doctor to test my hormone levels, but he just wouldn't believe that my symptoms could be caused by low estrogen. I'm now on the Climara patch, oral estradiol, and Prometrium and I feel much better.