Is it worth getting hormone levels tested when you are post? I haven't had a period for over 2 years but still have symptoms. One week (more or less) I can be more or less fine the next week (more or less) shaking like crazy, anxiety, hot flashes, restless leg feeling in whole body and insomnia at night, irritable, angry, etc. Why do hormones fluctuate so much when you don't have a period any more? What are heck are they waiting for before they level out? I'm tired of it all its been long enough (started over 5 years ago--2 years post now). I feel like my nerves are shot by the first couple years of being down and out completely and now its the up and down cycles that are so drastic that I don't know if I'm coming or going. I've been doing all this with no hormone therapy just anxiety med. Not sure if I should look into hormone therapy at this point or not...back to first question...is it worth getting hormone levels tested when you are post? Is it normal for hormones to have such drastic changing cycles when you are post?
I think I would feel better with a little knowledge about the whys. The more I try to research the more confused I get.
Does anyone have ideas or answers to any of these questions?
Thanks all,
Robin
Full Version: Post Menopause hormone level question
Forgot to add why I feel a little confused about hormone fluctutations.
alinam had a post on hormone levels in peri:
'I've been told by two different doctors that it doesn't do any good to do blood levels of female hormones during perimenopause because they fluctuate too much. I've also read that cortisol levels should be checked when you're feeling "good"--which is definitely not now! : ( So my question is, I'd really like to know what my hormones are doing, but don't want to beg the doctors to check them if it won't do any good. I'm also on low dose bcp (just starting month two, and not having fun). So is it a good idea to insist on getting hormone testing? If so, when is the best time for someone who's already started bcp? '
If 2 drs told her it doesn't do any good to do blood levels during peri because they fluctuate too much and I'm post and mine are fluctuating like crazy when does it do any good to have the levels checked? I'm confused..or maybe in a hormonal twilight zone!?
alinam had a post on hormone levels in peri:
'I've been told by two different doctors that it doesn't do any good to do blood levels of female hormones during perimenopause because they fluctuate too much. I've also read that cortisol levels should be checked when you're feeling "good"--which is definitely not now! : ( So my question is, I'd really like to know what my hormones are doing, but don't want to beg the doctors to check them if it won't do any good. I'm also on low dose bcp (just starting month two, and not having fun). So is it a good idea to insist on getting hormone testing? If so, when is the best time for someone who's already started bcp? '
If 2 drs told her it doesn't do any good to do blood levels during peri because they fluctuate too much and I'm post and mine are fluctuating like crazy when does it do any good to have the levels checked? I'm confused..or maybe in a hormonal twilight zone!?
Hi surrealife, I'm sorry your having this rough time. I totally get how your feeling. I'm in the same boat. 2 1/2 years post but still nightsweats, mood swings, crying, feeling lonesome, fatigue, shakiness inside and out, itchiness, creepy crawly feeling like bugs are on me. I agree surrealife..when does this end!! We've been thru enough already!! The only thing thats better is the palps, they are gone for now. I wonder the same...should we get the levels tested?? I have a jerk doctor so he'd probably say no need to.
I've taken nothing for 9 years...well no HRT but have tried every over the counter med. Right now I'm taking ginseng,just a small amount as it can raise blood pressure. I read it has estrogentic qualities.... God knows I need estrogen. I'm pretty much a mean old witch lately
Like you say, shouldnt the hormones be leveling out now that we have no periods?? I dont have much help in way of answers but send you a (((((((((((((HUG))))))))))))))
Hang in there, its got to get better. On a brighter note..I have had a couple of days in the last month where I felt somewhat normal. no foggy head like I've had the last years. The first time I'd felt that way in all these years. It was almost strange to feel normal
and lasted just a day but it was encouraging. Keep up the hope. Blessings to you
Fin
I've taken nothing for 9 years...well no HRT but have tried every over the counter med. Right now I'm taking ginseng,just a small amount as it can raise blood pressure. I read it has estrogentic qualities.... God knows I need estrogen. I'm pretty much a mean old witch lately
Like you say, shouldnt the hormones be leveling out now that we have no periods?? I dont have much help in way of answers but send you a (((((((((((((HUG))))))))))))))
Hang in there, its got to get better. On a brighter note..I have had a couple of days in the last month where I felt somewhat normal. no foggy head like I've had the last years. The first time I'd felt that way in all these years. It was almost strange to feel normal
and lasted just a day but it was encouraging. Keep up the hope. Blessings to youFin
QUOTE (finola @ Jun 21 2009, 07:48 AM) 
Hi surrealife, I'm sorry your having this rough time. I totally get how your feeling. I'm in the same boat. 2 1/2 years post but still nightsweats, mood swings, crying, feeling lonesome, fatigue, shakiness inside and out, itchiness, creepy crawly feeling like bugs are on me. I agree surrealife..when does this end!! We've been thru enough already!! The only thing thats better is the palps, they are gone for now. I wonder the same...should we get the levels tested?? I have a jerk doctor so he'd probably say no need to.
I've taken nothing for 9 years...well no HRT but have tried every over the counter med. Right now I'm taking ginseng,just a small amount as it can raise blood pressure. I read it has estrogentic qualities.... God knows I need estrogen. I'm pretty much a mean old witch lately
Like you say, shouldnt the hormones be leveling out now that we have no periods?? I dont have much help in way of answers but send you a (((((((((((((HUG))))))))))))))
Hang in there, its got to get better. On a brighter note..I have had a couple of days in the last month where I felt somewhat normal. no foggy head like I've had the last years. The first time I'd felt that way in all these years. It was almost strange to feel normal and lasted just a day but it was encouraging. Keep up the hope. Blessings to you
Fin
I've taken nothing for 9 years...well no HRT but have tried every over the counter med. Right now I'm taking ginseng,just a small amount as it can raise blood pressure. I read it has estrogentic qualities.... God knows I need estrogen. I'm pretty much a mean old witch lately
Like you say, shouldnt the hormones be leveling out now that we have no periods?? I dont have much help in way of answers but send you a (((((((((((((HUG))))))))))))))
Hang in there, its got to get better. On a brighter note..I have had a couple of days in the last month where I felt somewhat normal. no foggy head like I've had the last years. The first time I'd felt that way in all these years. It was almost strange to feel normal
and lasted just a day but it was encouraging. Keep up the hope. Blessings to youFin
Fin,
Thanks for your reply and it helps to know someone else is experiencing the same things during post meno. I have had periods during the last year where I felt almost normal but this drastic downhill change just threw me. I even had a couple days where I was felt like I was flying...no symptoms whats so ever...like a huge load off my body...then wham it all came back. It just feels like my hormones are teasing me and playing a bad joke on me and I don't think they are funny
. The small up and down changes I can take but to go head long back so drastically I guess got to me. I think I got a little scared this will be me for the rest of my life. Thanks for your blessing and I feel a little more encouraged that there are good days to come...for both of us I hope!
Robin
Ladies,
You sound just like me; 2 years post and still experiencing multiple symptoms. One day I am okay (almost normal) and then the next day I am achy, my legs and arms feel like they are losing circulation, and hot flashes are back. Then, after a few days I am fine again. My doctor did offer me hormones about 1 1/2 years ago and I tried them briefly but started having periods again and did not want that so I stoped. I was also afraid of them but now I think I want them again but I want bio-identical hormones. I want to find a doctor here in Phoenix that can do a work-up and create a formula just for me. I just don't know how to find such a doctor. I am going to keep looking because I do want to try hormones at least one more time; and no, I don't think it is too late for us to begin. My 78 year old mother-in-law took hormones until sometime in her eary 70's and she did just fine. In fact she is still very active but says she no longer needs them. She did not even begin hormones until a Gyno recommened them to her when she was in her mid-60's so I know it is not too late for us! She said she remembers she began sleeping well for the first time in years when she began taking them. We just need to find the right doctor and do it!
You sound just like me; 2 years post and still experiencing multiple symptoms. One day I am okay (almost normal) and then the next day I am achy, my legs and arms feel like they are losing circulation, and hot flashes are back. Then, after a few days I am fine again. My doctor did offer me hormones about 1 1/2 years ago and I tried them briefly but started having periods again and did not want that so I stoped. I was also afraid of them but now I think I want them again but I want bio-identical hormones. I want to find a doctor here in Phoenix that can do a work-up and create a formula just for me. I just don't know how to find such a doctor. I am going to keep looking because I do want to try hormones at least one more time; and no, I don't think it is too late for us to begin. My 78 year old mother-in-law took hormones until sometime in her eary 70's and she did just fine. In fact she is still very active but says she no longer needs them. She did not even begin hormones until a Gyno recommened them to her when she was in her mid-60's so I know it is not too late for us! She said she remembers she began sleeping well for the first time in years when she began taking them. We just need to find the right doctor and do it!
I know how y'all feel. We keep hearing in POST you will be better, you will find that post meno zest, etc, etc!!! Well, not all of us, apparently.
I believe hormones are an every changing thing, and that they are NEVER level. When ovaries poop out, other organs take over....albeit in much much smaller amounts. I think the first adjustment is withdrawing from the estrogen....which is like a powerful narcotic we have been addicted too since our early teens. But as we age we go thru smaller versions of this withdrawal, thus feeling like crap...over and over.
I have opted for BHRT, because life, for me, without estrogen was just not do-able. I haven't gotten the cocktail exactly right yet....have had to mess around some with the Progesterone one MUST take....I am going to see a gyn on Jul 6 to explore using Testosterone as well as seeing what my options regarding the P.
I have noticed that my muscles, even as they get stronger from exercise, still look mushy and lumpy....I am sure that the reason is low testosterone.
My mother is 66 and has been using hormones for 15 years and is totally satisfied, AND she is very healthy. Much healthier than your average 66 year old. She has the bones of a 20 year old. She has excellent cholesterol, excellent blood pressure. She believes her continued excellent health is a combination of a healthy lifestyle and hormones. So I try and follow in her footsteps!!!
I believe hormones are an every changing thing, and that they are NEVER level. When ovaries poop out, other organs take over....albeit in much much smaller amounts. I think the first adjustment is withdrawing from the estrogen....which is like a powerful narcotic we have been addicted too since our early teens. But as we age we go thru smaller versions of this withdrawal, thus feeling like crap...over and over.
I have opted for BHRT, because life, for me, without estrogen was just not do-able. I haven't gotten the cocktail exactly right yet....have had to mess around some with the Progesterone one MUST take....I am going to see a gyn on Jul 6 to explore using Testosterone as well as seeing what my options regarding the P.
I have noticed that my muscles, even as they get stronger from exercise, still look mushy and lumpy....I am sure that the reason is low testosterone.
My mother is 66 and has been using hormones for 15 years and is totally satisfied, AND she is very healthy. Much healthier than your average 66 year old. She has the bones of a 20 year old. She has excellent cholesterol, excellent blood pressure. She believes her continued excellent health is a combination of a healthy lifestyle and hormones. So I try and follow in her footsteps!!!
QUOTE (Happ1 @ Jun 24 2009, 12:13 AM)
Ladies,
You sound just like me; 2 years post and still experiencing multiple symptoms. One day I am okay (almost normal) and then the next day I am achy, my legs and arms feel like they are losing circulation, and hot flashes are back. Then, after a few days I am fine again. My doctor did offer me hormones about 1 1/2 years ago and I tried them briefly but started having periods again and did not want that so I stoped. I was also afraid of them but now I think I want them again but I want bio-identical hormones. I want to find a doctor here in Phoenix that can do a work-up and create a formula just for me. I just don't know how to find such a doctor. I am going to keep looking because I do want to try hormones at least one more time; and no, I don't think it is too late for us to begin. My 78 year old mother-in-law took hormones until sometime in her eary 70's and she did just fine. In fact she is still very active but says she no longer needs them. She did not even begin hormones until a Gyno recommened them to her when she was in her mid-60's so I know it is not too late for us! She said she remembers she began sleeping well for the first time in years when she began taking them. We just need to find the right doctor and do it!
You sound just like me; 2 years post and still experiencing multiple symptoms. One day I am okay (almost normal) and then the next day I am achy, my legs and arms feel like they are losing circulation, and hot flashes are back. Then, after a few days I am fine again. My doctor did offer me hormones about 1 1/2 years ago and I tried them briefly but started having periods again and did not want that so I stoped. I was also afraid of them but now I think I want them again but I want bio-identical hormones. I want to find a doctor here in Phoenix that can do a work-up and create a formula just for me. I just don't know how to find such a doctor. I am going to keep looking because I do want to try hormones at least one more time; and no, I don't think it is too late for us to begin. My 78 year old mother-in-law took hormones until sometime in her eary 70's and she did just fine. In fact she is still very active but says she no longer needs them. She did not even begin hormones until a Gyno recommened them to her when she was in her mid-60's so I know it is not too late for us! She said she remembers she began sleeping well for the first time in years when she began taking them. We just need to find the right doctor and do it!
Hi,
You mentioned you need a bio identical hormone doctor near Phoenix.....Dr Gino Tutera in Scotsdalle uses the BHRT pellets. You can go online www.sottopelletherapy.com to learn more about him.
I live in TN, but I found a doctor in Nashville that trained under Dr. Tutera. I went through menopause at 42, haven't had a period in 10 years.....I had the symptoms you all have mentioned, anxiety, insomnia, hot flashes, no energy, and I also had no libido and probems with orgasms because I couldn't feel anything, oh...and really bad incontinence. I had my hormone levels checked and my estrogen was under 7 and my testosterone was so low so my doctor gave me 1 estrogen and 2 testosterone pellets and I take a natural progesterone pill from the 1st to the 21st day of every month. I started this on April 1st and within 2 weeks all of my symptoms were gone...I feel better than I have in years. I did have a period (first one in ten years) this month but my doctor said that might go on for a few months while my body gets used to the hormones then the periods should stop again.
From what I have read as we age our bodies stop making hormones, and the longer we go without replacing them with natural hormones we are at a much greater risk for serious disease. I just want to be healthy and feel good, I think I am on the right track.
Best wishes to all of you.
Thanks Jlmjez, I will check out the Phx docutor you suggested. I am anxious to try hormones again. Glad you are feeling good! Very encouraging for the rest of us.
hi ladies,
I have a question for you...Some of you probably read this in the past I wrote.. But if someone is 6 yrs post, and is not experiening any symptoms should they be on any type of hormones? I guess you can say I've been lucky in the way of not having hot flashes, night sweats but suffer a great deal of anxiety and mind racing. All my doctors say it's just GAD and to keep taking my ADs and benzo"s and therapy.
char
I have a question for you...Some of you probably read this in the past I wrote.. But if someone is 6 yrs post, and is not experiening any symptoms should they be on any type of hormones? I guess you can say I've been lucky in the way of not having hot flashes, night sweats but suffer a great deal of anxiety and mind racing. All my doctors say it's just GAD and to keep taking my ADs and benzo"s and therapy.
char
[quote name='chaotichar' date='Jun 26 2009, 10:29 AM' post='292669']
Char, in my opinion treatment is both mind and body and if you have not tried hormones yet it can't hurt to give them a try and see if it improves your mental outlook. If not, no harm done and you can return to not taking any hormone treatment. Best of luck to you.
Char, in my opinion treatment is both mind and body and if you have not tried hormones yet it can't hurt to give them a try and see if it improves your mental outlook. If not, no harm done and you can return to not taking any hormone treatment. Best of luck to you.
QUOTE (Floater @ Jun 24 2009, 12:17 AM)
I know how y'all feel. We keep hearing in POST you will be better, you will find that post meno zest, etc, etc!!! Well, not all of us, apparently.
I believe hormones are an every changing thing, and that they are NEVER level. When ovaries poop out, other organs take over....albeit in much much smaller amounts. I think the first adjustment is withdrawing from the estrogen....which is like a powerful narcotic we have been addicted too since our early teens. But as we age we go thru smaller versions of this withdrawal, thus feeling like crap...over and over.
I have opted for BHRT, because life, for me, without estrogen was just not do-able. I haven't gotten the cocktail exactly right yet....have had to mess around some with the Progesterone one MUST take....I am going to see a gyn on Jul 6 to explore using Testosterone as well as seeing what my options regarding the P.
I have noticed that my muscles, even as they get stronger from exercise, still look mushy and lumpy....I am sure that the reason is low testosterone.
My mother is 66 and has been using hormones for 15 years and is totally satisfied, AND she is very healthy. Much healthier than your average 66 year old. She has the bones of a 20 year old. She has excellent cholesterol, excellent blood pressure. She believes her continued excellent health is a combination of a healthy lifestyle and hormones. So I try and follow in her footsteps!!!
I believe hormones are an every changing thing, and that they are NEVER level. When ovaries poop out, other organs take over....albeit in much much smaller amounts. I think the first adjustment is withdrawing from the estrogen....which is like a powerful narcotic we have been addicted too since our early teens. But as we age we go thru smaller versions of this withdrawal, thus feeling like crap...over and over.
I have opted for BHRT, because life, for me, without estrogen was just not do-able. I haven't gotten the cocktail exactly right yet....have had to mess around some with the Progesterone one MUST take....I am going to see a gyn on Jul 6 to explore using Testosterone as well as seeing what my options regarding the P.
I have noticed that my muscles, even as they get stronger from exercise, still look mushy and lumpy....I am sure that the reason is low testosterone.
My mother is 66 and has been using hormones for 15 years and is totally satisfied, AND she is very healthy. Much healthier than your average 66 year old. She has the bones of a 20 year old. She has excellent cholesterol, excellent blood pressure. She believes her continued excellent health is a combination of a healthy lifestyle and hormones. So I try and follow in her footsteps!!!
Hi Floater,
I feel like you do...I thought I was "post" due to being told this by my NP AND an MD based on my levels (in the cellar). I went from early March to mid June with no periods at all and actually started to believe I was "done". Well, not so fast buckaroo, I had one in June (not a bad one though) and now I've gotten another one in July 5 days earlier than the June schedule would predict and it's been kicking my butt! Very heavy flow for almost 4 days now and terrible cramps. I have talked with my NP about BHRT but she's of the opinion that God has a plan and that we should just go "natural" if it's at all possible. On one hand I agree with her but on the other I'm starting to feel like some balancing might be in order. I'm tired ALL THE TIME, have no muscle mass to speak of (ok it's there but it's like tapioca), and I feel like I'm aging rapidly before my own eyes. One might suggest it has to do with my recent marriage problems but I've felt like this for a long time now and long before the problems. I have very few hot flashes now (I think due to the Vit. E I take every day) and vaginal dryness, yadda yadda but I FEEL OLD. I DO have anxiety due to the marriage problems but I think it's worse than it would be if I just had a little help. Ativan is good for sleep but I'm not interested in an everyday sort of use of the stuff. I can't take it and function as a nurse during the day. I just don't know what to do...no hormones (go natural) or BHRT. The other thing is that I can't seem to find a physician in my area who specializes in BHRT. There is not one listed in the state of Maryland, Delawar, Virginia or DC so I feel stuck and don't know where to turn.
any suggestions anyone? I'm seriously considering calling tomorrow and demanding a D&C too! I can't imagine having the surgery I'm scheduled for in Sept. and have a period like this on top of that. What a freaking nighmare THAT would be! UGH! Why is getting help so darned hard???????
hugs to all, I'm just frustrated.
Jan
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