I won't go through all of my peri symptoms, but I'm 42 and have had a BUNCH for about a year and a half. Last Oct when i saw my midwife (she still does my annual exams) we talked about peri and fatigue which was my main symptom then. She told me that it's "normal" to get tired as we age and that they don't test hormones in peri because they flucutate too much. (I was told the same at Women to Women). Midwife also said "they don't treat menopause as a disease process anymore", ie, they don't just throw hormones at it. This past year everything has escalated. I see her again this Thurs for my annual and I'm going to talk to her about it again. I want to know if there are any docs in her group who are hormone "gurus" that will work with me on this. Is it reasonable to me to ask for/expect any kind of testing at my age? I'm desperate!

Hi maine:

In my opinion, I think it is very reasonable!!! I mean if you can find relief then go for it. I can understand what your midwife is telling you but at the same time this is not the "dark ages" anymore and there are things that will some ladies so you should not be denied at least the information.

I say go for it!!!!!!!
Hugs to you and let us know what you find ouot.
Jeaninne

Doctors routinely test blood pressure, insulin levels, thyroid, and cholesterol levels...... All can fluctuate wildly. Ovarian hormone levels should be treated no differently.

My own opinion is that doctors don't like to test ovarian hormone levels is due to them being taught (in med school) That our ovaries (and hormones) are "just for reproduction". Some specialists understand that this is simply not true. Unfortunately it seems the ob/gyns are the worst one in regard to not wanting to test hormone levels. imo

One of my gyn's (also is infertility endocrinologist) does test my ovarian hormone levels. We test once a week for 4 weeks in a row (using same lab and same time of day). We've done this several times (during peri) and do see a consistency in hormone levels (variations). This testing has been instrumental in adjusting my hrt dosage. (It clearly showed that I was not absorbing from the vivelle patch). Many doctors will just treat based on symptoms but bloodwork is important too. But I was telling them that I did not feel well. The testing PROVED that I was not absorbing the patch.

Also, ovarian hormone levels are routinely tested for infertility patients. My doc feels that the peri woman should have blood testing too inorder to see what is happening. We should be offered the same compassionate care at this time in our lives. Regards, JZZ

My gyn told me the same thing. She will not test hormones because I am still in perio. and they would not be accurate just fluctuate. I also had a ton of horrible perio. symptoms hit me like a switch was turned on in sept. and could not deal with it because I am dealing with another health issue at the present time. My gyn. gave my the bcp and within a few weeks my symptoms disappeared and I am feeling much better in that dept. I never thought I would ever take any type of HT but we never know what life is going to throw at us. If you do not get relief from natural remedies, I would not hesitate to try a bcp. Cat-e

If you plan for your insurance company to pay for testing your doctor may be restricted by your insurance company's rules. My doc will order FSH & LH levels after you have gone at least 6 months without a period. The doctor has to put down a related diagnostic code for the insurance company to be willing to cover the labwork bill. After 6 months of no period the doc can list the diagnostic code for 'amenorrhea' and then the insurance company should cover the labwork as "medically necessary" to determine if the absense of menses is hormone related.
For labwork testing of estradiol, progesterone and testosterone levels, many docs will only order them if you intend to use hormones if levels come back subnormal. Basically, there is no medical indication to test for something you have no intention of treating. "Just because you'd like to know" is usually not enough reason for the insurance company to cover the cost.
If you are intending to pay all the testing costs yourself and not file with insurance you may be able to talk your doctor into ordering the tests you want, but some still won't because they have been trained to only order tests that are medically necessary whether you have insurance or not.

Hi Nightowl...

Well I have had both extremes. I have had blood work done and a saliva test for my hormones. Blood normal, saliva showed progestrone is low.
I have seen the only hormone specialist in my area..he basically threw out both tests and said..you wasted your time and money.
But then he went on to listen to my symptoms and prescribed progestrone cream...his basic feeling is that testing is worthless..the symptoms tell the story.

So that is my experience...

HUGS...
Maura