So I finally made it in for my test results stemming from the beginning of January (thanks to that lovely ice storm and cancellations).

My results are:

Estradiol 74 range 50-100~ told me this could change as the P builds up so we wait and see.
Progesterone 2.5 range 10-20~ way low but all the past doctors for 2.5 years would never test because "I was to young to have hormone issues"
SHBG 33 range 1-114~changing this can supposedly help lower the free testosterone and another step we may take later.
Testosterone Total 282 range 15-70~ wow I am closer to being a man than a woman lol
Testosterone free 29.30 range 6-8.5
DHEA 335 range 350-430~despite being low he tells me this is still acceptable
TSH 1.6 range <2
Free t3 299 range 365-420again a bit low but still okay for thyroid health
Free t4 1.60 range 1.3-1.8
Vitamin D very low so have a supplement for that B-12 also very low will be getting monthly injections.

Now I have to find out what is causing the high levels of Testosterone. I had a partial hyster in September so need to make sure the ovaries were good then. I assume they were or they would have removed them and recall my surgeon saying they were fine and no need to remove. The next step is of course an ultra sound to rule out pcos. So anyone have experience with high lvls of testosterone and if so is there a way to work on that? My Dr claims it could be a one off reading and next time it might not be that high, we shall see.

Good thing he is taking care of one thing at a time for now I will take progesterone and the D and B12 supplements. He will retest in 8 weeks.

I am happy to see the numbers finally after 2.5 nearly 3 years of this hell. Nobody would ever run the darn tests. I have so much relief now knowing that there really is something wrong with my hormones. So yeah, seven months of useless prozac and why-because Doctors love to toss us all in a "normal" range!

oh and what a small world. My scripts will come from Pete and Bellevue, this is who Dr Hester uses!

Hey Davinci and all
I just fouind out yesterday (from a compound pharmasist) that my estrogen was extremely too high, and I have hardly any progestorne. This was done with the salavia test....So I will be going on Progestrone..and cutting out the estrogen. I have been screaming to my gyn that I only feel right maybe 5 days out of the month...She even tested my blood and it came back that my estrogen was very high..but she didn't seem to concerned..after calling and crying everyday she said maybe go see the compound pharmacist...So this is where I am...
I hope this will help..I myself had a partical Hysterectomy. Pharmascit says that my ovaries are probably producing enough of the estrogen...So why when I was diagnosed as meno did they just put me on Activella without really doing a good thorough workup....I guess all the first signs go to low estrogen....
My oh my..I have been horrible lately to the point where I just dont know if I will make it through the day....I pray and pray the the progestrone is the answer..
Please give me support....I need it so much right now.
Love
Karen

Good thoughts coming your way Karen. I know how frustrating all of this can be when you can't get a correct answer to how bad you feel. It looks like you are on the right track now and will hopefully get some relief and answers. Just hang in there it can take awhile for everything to adjust. Make sure they retest you later to see how the hormones are looking.

davinci,
I do not agree that your thyroid tests are fine. Your freeT3 is clearly too low according to the range given. It is supposed to be in the upper 1/4 of the range in order to feel good physically and mentally. Your free T4 is only 60% of the the range and should also be higher. You are having problems converting the T4 to the active T3. I really think you need to address this as it can be a huge factor in how you feel.

sishaircut: Saliva tests for sex hormones have been proven to be inconsistent and unreliable as indicators of sex hormone levels. I found that to be true in my case. I would recommend you get a serum test on day 3-4 of your cycle and also (if possible) day 20-23.

Was the blood test done at either of those times? How were you feeling the day the blood tests were drawn?

This is a clinic that focuses on anti-aging as well so the optimal ranges they use are that of a healthy 20 something female. So the actual reference ranges for my T-3 of someone my age is 230-340, I'm at 299.00, the optimal ranges are 365-420 which is were I fall a bit short hence the reason for not a huge concern at the moment.

My doctor also suggest the serum and not saliva for an accurate test, you should ask for one if you haven't had one already.

Most thyroid hormone ranges are based on a healthy thyroid, regardless of ages. Your T3 level still is low even with the other range. But if you are feeling perfectly fine, with plenty of energy, no aches or pains, and your mental health is good, then maybe your thyroid is fine. But if you are not feeling that well, then it's very possible your low free levels are a contributing factor, since studies show that many peri and meno women also have an underlying thyroid problem, often undiagnosed due to docs thinking that levels in the 'normal' range are just fine.

Many docs are finding that addressing thyroid will often be all that's needed, since sub-optimal thyroid function can affect the sex hormones. And the sad fact is, many docs are not up on the latest research and ranges.

Hey Davinci...

I'm wondering about my testosterone levels as well. I'm not sure I totally understand. My SHBG was the same as yours 33...at the low end. It is my understanding that this numbers increases as your estrogen and progesterone levels increase. My free testosterone was 4.1 with a max range of 5...so it is high as well... However, total testosterone was 25 (9-55). What I don't understand is how we are supposed to get the free testosterone down. I am beginning to think that the rage and anger issues that I have, as well as the acne and hair growth on my face and hair loss are a direct result of the FREE TESTOSTERONE. Do you have any of these symptoms? What did your doctor suggest?

I've been using progesterone cream lately to help balance out my bodys estrogen in the follicular phase and I feel better, although I can't get anyone to test my levels in that phase. I'm thinking about only supplementing E in the luteal phase, along with P because my symptoms are extreme during that time and my E and P levels are very low then, day 21 to day 7. I'm also going to start on a small amount of DHEA and pregnenolone, although I have testosterone cream I'm thinking that would aggrevate the rage, anger, and hair growth issues...

Even though I am doing this, what I have been reading lately suggests that the thyroid and adrenals have to be balanced before beginning BHRT in order to achieve the correct balance, but I needed something to take the edge off right now while I work on my adrenals. My thyroid is low, and I just received the report on my adrenals. Apparently in the a.m. and noon my adrenals are suppressed, but in the p.m. my cortisol levels are too high...which explains why it is so difficult for me to sleep at night and why I'm not handling stress very well!

TJ

I'm not sure how we will work on the T just yet, I believe he mentioned working with the E and P would change the SHBG (just touched lightly on the subject for now). I go tomorrow to rule out pcos first. He wants to do one thing at a time. Will let you know if I find out more. Funny, never had acne in my life besides maybe a pimple during my period. The week I had my test done I got FOUR! I do have a few chin hairs but nothing terrible. Hoping this was a screwy one off reading and there isn't an underlying issue.

Interesting that their testing you for PCOS, didn't know there was a test other than testosterone levels... My OBGYN said I didn't have PCOS four years ago..of course who knows if that was correct or not....

Pimples and acne at 48 for me and NEVER had either before in my life! I have been reading up on the facial hair and everything I've read has said that once your estrogen goes up then your SBHG goes up and that binds more of the testosterone. Therefore, there will be less of the free testosterone floating around...so that should mean less facial hair and less acne...and for me less rage lol!!!

Good luck to you...


TJ