I am a little confused. I am 43 years old and I received the news from the gynaecologist that I am perimenopausal. I now wonder if maybe the fact that I was mid-cycle when I had the test skewed the results??
Last year I had hormonal tests for the basics on Day 3 and the levels were LH4 and FSH5. This was done through my regular GP.
Fast forward to this year and I have hormone tests done again, at the suggestion of a gynaecologist I am seeing for endo, but on Day 15 of my 29 day cycle. The levels showed LH 16 and FSH 13 and estradiol 340 (or something like that - it was in the 300s). The gynaecologist didn't ask me what day of my cycle the tests were taken, and she hadn't initially recommended I take them on a certain day. So, why did I choose day 15? - because that is when I happened to find it convenient and was near the lab. And frankly I hadn't really given the whole thing too much thought... I know the day 3 thing is important for FSH/LH, but I just wonder why the gynaecologist never mentioned it???
I have regular periods (27-30 day cycles) with occasional night sweats just before my period. No other symptoms. Intermittent pain associated with endo is my reason for seeing the gynaecologist in the first place.
Any ideas greatly appreciated.
thanks!
Full Version: Midcycle test results have me concerned
Hi micksmom and welcome to P/S!!!!!
I don’t think I can be too much help, I don’t get a period anymore ( I don’t think…only 7 months so far)
My doctor used to check my hormones on day 21, unfortunately I can’t remember why.
Keep on reading I am sure you will find something that makes sense to you.
Hugz Barb
I don’t think I can be too much help, I don’t get a period anymore ( I don’t think…only 7 months so far)
My doctor used to check my hormones on day 21, unfortunately I can’t remember why.
Keep on reading I am sure you will find something that makes sense to you.
Hugz Barb
Thanks Barb, What a lovely welcome.
I am going to speak to my GP about the results. The whole thing has me so confused.
I keep reading that the average age of onset for peri is 47, and I just feel like a bit of an anomoly (?spelling??)
I am going to speak to my GP about the results. The whole thing has me so confused.
I keep reading that the average age of onset for peri is 47, and I just feel like a bit of an anomoly (?spelling??)
micksmom, I think your confused about perimenopause. Do you feel your to young for peri? there are quite a few women on here in their 30's.
Peri happens years before becoming post menopausal. I started having symptoms when I was 42, I am now 49 (will be 50 in dec) and still having regular periods. Things have gone from bad to worse, but my point is, don't relied so much on labs. Last year my blood worked show I was defiantly near menopause, three weeks ago they where normal again. You can not depend on labs to tell you much doing peri!
Doctor are not much help either!
you and you alone will know when your peri!
Peri happens years before becoming post menopausal. I started having symptoms when I was 42, I am now 49 (will be 50 in dec) and still having regular periods. Things have gone from bad to worse, but my point is, don't relied so much on labs. Last year my blood worked show I was defiantly near menopause, three weeks ago they where normal again. You can not depend on labs to tell you much doing peri!
Doctor are not much help either!
you and you alone will know when your peri!
I had an ob-gyn doctor (male) tell me several years ago that he won't do labs because your levels can change from minute to minute and its pointless!!!!
Hi Micksmom,
I am 42, still have regular periods but I do believe I am in Peri. My GP (family doc) said the same thing to me as others have said about tests being pointless unless you are missing periods as they can vary throughout the day. For this reason she will not confirm I am in peri.
The reasons I believe I am in peri is because of all my other symptoms:
Age 37 Developed migraines for first time ever. Developed brainfog/ inability to remember words
Age 40 Developed gastritis, anxiety, allergies, health anxiety, panic attacks - all for the first time. Migraines became cyclical.
Age 41 Health Anxiety got worse. Started feeling hot all the time. Periods now often 26 days apart instead of usual 28.
Age 42 Developed repeated itchy rashes/ dermatitis. Developed palpitations (PVCs) after first ever prolonged period. Cardio didn't know why but said they were most common in WOMEN OF MY AGE!! However, when i asked about peri, cardio also said wasn't I a bit young for peri (he like many uninformed docs seem to think you only get peri when you are 48+)
Until I found PS, I honestly believed I was falling apart and didn't know what was happening to me. It is too much of a coincidence that so many of us at this age have the same groups of symptoms.
My sister is now 50, but her periods started shifting around about 10 years ago and she developed depression. Her symptoms at my age were different to mine, but still part of the peri package. She has been through the hot flush stage but is not over meno yet, so I am expecting 10 years plus of this.
I think the peri process can be a slow one. Maybe you have symptoms that you are not recognising as peri at the moment but you will look back on later and see that they were the start of it all! I would never have believed my migraines, gastritis & then anxiety were all linked. Hope this helps!
Oh forgot to add to the list Age 42: also developed hayfever for first time ever!
I am 42, still have regular periods but I do believe I am in Peri. My GP (family doc) said the same thing to me as others have said about tests being pointless unless you are missing periods as they can vary throughout the day. For this reason she will not confirm I am in peri.
The reasons I believe I am in peri is because of all my other symptoms:
Age 37 Developed migraines for first time ever. Developed brainfog/ inability to remember words
Age 40 Developed gastritis, anxiety, allergies, health anxiety, panic attacks - all for the first time. Migraines became cyclical.
Age 41 Health Anxiety got worse. Started feeling hot all the time. Periods now often 26 days apart instead of usual 28.
Age 42 Developed repeated itchy rashes/ dermatitis. Developed palpitations (PVCs) after first ever prolonged period. Cardio didn't know why but said they were most common in WOMEN OF MY AGE!! However, when i asked about peri, cardio also said wasn't I a bit young for peri (he like many uninformed docs seem to think you only get peri when you are 48+)
Until I found PS, I honestly believed I was falling apart and didn't know what was happening to me. It is too much of a coincidence that so many of us at this age have the same groups of symptoms.
My sister is now 50, but her periods started shifting around about 10 years ago and she developed depression. Her symptoms at my age were different to mine, but still part of the peri package. She has been through the hot flush stage but is not over meno yet, so I am expecting 10 years plus of this.
I think the peri process can be a slow one. Maybe you have symptoms that you are not recognising as peri at the moment but you will look back on later and see that they were the start of it all! I would never have believed my migraines, gastritis & then anxiety were all linked. Hope this helps!
Oh forgot to add to the list Age 42: also developed hayfever for first time ever!
Thanks for all those wonderful replies and taking the time to respond to my query.
Have any of you heard about the STRAW definition of reproductive aging? Google that acronym and check it out - it really has opened my eyes.
According to the STRAW definition, perimenopause starts in our early to mid forties.
So my decision is to stop fussing over test numbers, and to just enjoy the rollercoaster ride!
Have any of you heard about the STRAW definition of reproductive aging? Google that acronym and check it out - it really has opened my eyes.
According to the STRAW definition, perimenopause starts in our early to mid forties.
So my decision is to stop fussing over test numbers, and to just enjoy the rollercoaster ride!
QUOTE (squiggle @ Sep 19 2006, 05:48 AM) 
Hi Micksmom,
I am 42, still have regular periods but I do believe I am in Peri. My GP (family doc) said the same thing to me as others have said about tests being pointless unless you are missing periods as they can vary throughout the day. For this reason she will not confirm I am in peri.
The reasons I believe I am in peri is because of all my other symptoms:
Age 37 Developed migraines for first time ever. Developed brainfog/ inability to remember words
Age 40 Developed gastritis, anxiety, allergies, health anxiety, panic attacks - all for the first time. Migraines became cyclical.
Age 41 Health Anxiety got worse. Started feeling hot all the time. Periods now often 26 days apart instead of usual 28.
Age 42 Developed repeated itchy rashes/ dermatitis. Developed palpitations (PVCs) after first ever prolonged period. Cardio didn't know why but said they were most common in WOMEN OF MY AGE!! However, when i asked about peri, cardio also said wasn't I a bit young for peri (he like many uninformed docs seem to think you only get peri when you are 48+)
Until I found PS, I honestly believed I was falling apart and didn't know what was happening to me. It is too much of a coincidence that so many of us at this age have the same groups of symptoms.
My sister is now 50, but her periods started shifting around about 10 years ago and she developed depression. Her symptoms at my age were different to mine, but still part of the peri package. She has been through the hot flush stage but is not over meno yet, so I am expecting 10 years plus of this.
I think the peri process can be a slow one. Maybe you have symptoms that you are not recognising as peri at the moment but you will look back on later and see that they were the start of it all! I would never have believed my migraines, gastritis & then anxiety were all linked. Hope this helps!
Oh forgot to add to the list Age 42: also developed hayfever for first time ever!
I am 42, still have regular periods but I do believe I am in Peri. My GP (family doc) said the same thing to me as others have said about tests being pointless unless you are missing periods as they can vary throughout the day. For this reason she will not confirm I am in peri.
The reasons I believe I am in peri is because of all my other symptoms:
Age 37 Developed migraines for first time ever. Developed brainfog/ inability to remember words
Age 40 Developed gastritis, anxiety, allergies, health anxiety, panic attacks - all for the first time. Migraines became cyclical.
Age 41 Health Anxiety got worse. Started feeling hot all the time. Periods now often 26 days apart instead of usual 28.
Age 42 Developed repeated itchy rashes/ dermatitis. Developed palpitations (PVCs) after first ever prolonged period. Cardio didn't know why but said they were most common in WOMEN OF MY AGE!! However, when i asked about peri, cardio also said wasn't I a bit young for peri (he like many uninformed docs seem to think you only get peri when you are 48+)
Until I found PS, I honestly believed I was falling apart and didn't know what was happening to me. It is too much of a coincidence that so many of us at this age have the same groups of symptoms.
My sister is now 50, but her periods started shifting around about 10 years ago and she developed depression. Her symptoms at my age were different to mine, but still part of the peri package. She has been through the hot flush stage but is not over meno yet, so I am expecting 10 years plus of this.
I think the peri process can be a slow one. Maybe you have symptoms that you are not recognising as peri at the moment but you will look back on later and see that they were the start of it all! I would never have believed my migraines, gastritis & then anxiety were all linked. Hope this helps!
Oh forgot to add to the list Age 42: also developed hayfever for first time ever!
That is amazing SQuiggle...I have developed almost all of the same symptoms as you, at similar ages. I did have anxiety in my early 30's though, but it flared up alot more as I approached 40. I think my worst symptom is that I am so tired all of the time now. It's hard to get up and go in the morning, and there are days when I get out of bed and I just know the whole day is going so be lousy.
Hi ladies,
I am having a realllllly bad day today. I am having to hold back tears constantly. I feel "depressed" for lack of a better explanation. Not really the kind of depressed that people describe per se, just really down. I know it is physical, not mental or emotional.
It has now been 29 days since my last cycle. I have had no "normal" (whatever that is these days) pms symptoms, ie no water retention, breast tenderness, etc that would indicate I amgoing to cycle soon. Considering my cycles have been 16, 18, 20 days apart for the last God only knows how long, this seems odd. Last cycle was 14 days long after having 3 "normal" 5 day cycles prior.
I am hoping that this is some kind of indication that I am nearing the proverbial end of peri. Gee, I can hardly wait to see what comes next...
My anxiety is really revving up and although I have learned to deal with and not be afraid of it, it is still uncomfortable. The fatigue is relentless.
Squiggle, your symptoms and time frames for them are very close to mine. It amazes me how sooooooooooooooo many of us have similar symptoms at similar ages and yet the dr's are clueless.
This is taking such a toll on me and I am really at a loss as to what to do about it.
Thanks for letting me vent!
Hugs, Susan
I am having a realllllly bad day today. I am having to hold back tears constantly. I feel "depressed" for lack of a better explanation. Not really the kind of depressed that people describe per se, just really down. I know it is physical, not mental or emotional.
It has now been 29 days since my last cycle. I have had no "normal" (whatever that is these days) pms symptoms, ie no water retention, breast tenderness, etc that would indicate I amgoing to cycle soon. Considering my cycles have been 16, 18, 20 days apart for the last God only knows how long, this seems odd. Last cycle was 14 days long after having 3 "normal" 5 day cycles prior.
I am hoping that this is some kind of indication that I am nearing the proverbial end of peri. Gee, I can hardly wait to see what comes next...
My anxiety is really revving up and although I have learned to deal with and not be afraid of it, it is still uncomfortable. The fatigue is relentless.
Squiggle, your symptoms and time frames for them are very close to mine. It amazes me how sooooooooooooooo many of us have similar symptoms at similar ages and yet the dr's are clueless.
This is taking such a toll on me and I am really at a loss as to what to do about it.
Thanks for letting me vent!
Hugs, Susan
QUOTE (micksmom @ Sep 19 2006, 12:29 PM)
So my decision is to stop fussing over test numbers, and to just enjoy the rollercoaster ride!
Hey some people pay a fortune for a ride like that in a theme park - we get to ride for free!!!!
Susan - so sorry you are feeling so bad. My energy levels have taken a real boost recently since I started taking vitamins for hormonal balance + magnesium etc. I guess you have tried that before. Cutting out sugar has helped my afternoon fatigue too. I hope you feel better soon.
Daleysl + Susan - You sound further along this rocky road than me. So what symptom did you get next? I'd love to know what I might expect so I can be ready for it!!
I had my levels tested a few months ago also done on day 15...I questioned this seeing as I read that day three is when it should be done. She told me it really didn't matter it came back... fsh level 3.something. I am now having hotflashes and night sweats regularly(and there is no mistake this is a hot flash either that or I have that spontaneous combustion problem) I have had symptpoms of peri for a few yr's now, but yet I have the ovaries of a 20 yr. old???? I was hoping my tests would confirm I haven't turned into a mental case and haven't got some dreaded disease they haven't diagnosed yet. I was very discouraged I thought if this test just showed me I was peri I could rest at ease a little. Mikki
Follow-up to first post:
I spoke to the gyn. and my GP about the mid cycle testing thing and they say now that I am PREMENOPAUSAL and not PERIMENOPAUSAL. Apparently there is a difference. Although my GP seems to think all these tests are nonsense for the most part and doesn't really recommend them.
I am so confused.
Gotta love this!!
I spoke to the gyn. and my GP about the mid cycle testing thing and they say now that I am PREMENOPAUSAL and not PERIMENOPAUSAL. Apparently there is a difference. Although my GP seems to think all these tests are nonsense for the most part and doesn't really recommend them.
I am so confused.
Gotta love this!!
This is a "lo-fi" version of our main content. To view the full version with more information, formatting and images, please click here.