Hi ladies, please clear something up for me. Back in 2006, I saw a female internist who used to practice as an OB/GYN. My primary care Doctor referred me because of all of the "issues" I was dealing with and aside from being diagnosed with a bowel disease and thyroid issues, he could find nothing else. This Internist had me come in at certain times of the month and she drew my blood while fasting. The results came back that my Testosternone was bottomed out and that I was really low on I think she said progesterone. Also, she had me do a CT scan because I was having bleeding between periods and during intercourse. She said that I had multiple large cysts that could burst at anytime and I could bleed out into my stomach cavity and I could die. I had a major panic attack and left the office in tears. She prescribed large doses of Prometrium and claimed I needed to shrink the cysts. I took my first dose and had a violent reaction to where I felt like someone had slipped me a micky. I went nuts and between my son and fiance, they called poison control and poison control said that it was a large dose and could cause the side effects I was having but that it would wear off after a couple of HOURS! I never, ever went back to that woman again and in fact went to my regular OB/GYN where he looked at my blood work and said that you cannot get an accurate reading with blood work unless you are menopausal. I was still having normal periods and nowhere near menopause. He also looked at the CT and said the cyst were not going to rupture and that they were not that big. I took his advice and never really had a problem after that with cysts. My question is this: How do we test to know for sure what our hormone levels are? I use an over the counter progesterone cream and it helps with my night sweats but what else shoud I be taking? Thank you

It sounds like you have had two idiot doctors. The best time for blood work to show problems is during peri. There is no point in doing blood work when you are already meno because you will have very few hormones at all, which seems pretty obvious even to those not trained as a doctor! The reason we go into meno is because we no longer are producing adequate hormones. Your first blood test is probably accurate and you likely still have no P or T! You need to search for a different Dr who knows what they are doing when it comes to hormones! Your dose of P should have been started at a reasonably low level and worked up as needed.

Thanks davinci, I will start my search here in the NWst area for a Doctor who understands Peri. I am just at a loss on where to start. When interviewing Doctors do you have any suggestions to which questions would be best to ask before even wasting time and money on another couple of IDIOTS! LOL Debra

All I can add is that your internist was an idiot.. Especially didn't even know what or how much to prescribe. I really makes me wonder how these dr's get thier medical licenses...

As for the blood work, I really don't have much experience with that. So I wish that I could help you more. Surely try to find another doctor, and go from there...

I still can't believe she told you that, what a freaking NIT-WIT!!!

I always recommend calling Pete at Bellevue pharmacy, he is also a member here on PS. He can give you some recommendations heck he might even use the blood work you have and prescribe from that. Just ask him! If he wont then get the recommendations and do a bit of research online about them. Most have websites now a days. There is one doctor listed for Washington in "Breakthrough", it is Jonathan V Wright in Renton. Website is tahomaclinic.com.

Hope this helps.

Debra, I'm so sorry your doc put you thru all that.

Yes, blood levels can, and should, be tested in peri. (Along with listening to symptoms.) One of my Gyn's is an Infertility endocrinologist and he explains blood testing like this. "It is no differnent to test a Peri woman than it is to test an infertility patient." ie - "We will take blood levels (E, P, T and FSH) once a week (at the same time and Lab) for 4 weeks in a row." "This will show what your ovaries are doing/producting." I've have this done 3 times during peri, so far, and guess what? My ovaries are pretty consistent in what they are producing at the age of 46 and now at 47. So to all the docs who say testing is needless, I say that they are uneducated and wrong. Just my opinion and supported by one of my two gyns. (Interestingly, the other doesn't like bloodwork but does look over my labs. lol However, he is a gem about listening to symptoms and trying to dose accordingly.) Regards, JZZ

Hi Debra,

I think I would try to find a more holistic doctor -- I have found that they just [generally] are better listeners and are more likely to think-outside-the-box. In other words, they don't have that one-size-fits-all mentality.

I have found most of my holistic doctors by contacting a compounding pharmacy in my area and asking if they maintain a list of doctors. Holistic doctors are more likely to use compounding pharmacies. The pharmacist may even be able to recommend a doctor for you.

I wish you the best...

Jann

I was told once you shall have your hormones check on the 3-4th day of your cycle.
So I ask my doctor but what if I'm not having a period that month> his answer: well if your not having periods why test >>>>your menopausal or pregnant!
Okay!

Hi Debra -- I don't know where in Washington you live, but I see Zora at the Woodinville Women's clinic --- she has been great.

Dear Debra L:

I would suggest you test for all the hormones on day 19, 20, 21, or 22 of the cycle, if you are still having cycles. It can be done with a blood test or a saliva test. To order the saliva test follow our patient empowerment program and we will help you with that. https://www.bellevuerx.com/patientempowerment.aspx - I would test for the following and we will help you interpret the test to see what else might be needed in your regimen: Estradiol, Estrone, Progesterone, Testosterone, DHEA, cortisol, and DHT. Hope this helps you get started on the right path to better hormonal health with us at Bellevue Pharmacy.
Thanks,
Pete Hueseman, R.Ph., P.D.