Hi All-

As some of you know, my hormones are way out of balance. My most troublesome symptoms are:

Inability to stay asleep (I have gotten about 4 hrs sleep a night in the past couple of weeks)

Anxiety- Terrible anxiety mornings and evenings are the worst

Depression- Very bad down moods crying often don't want to interact with others

I just got the results of my blood work. My progesterone was normal (I have been supplementing with 300mg a day of progesterone for the past week and 1/2)

My estrogen was high 501

Does anyone know if depression can be caused by too much unopposed estrogen?

I was expecting my progesterone to be low and my estrogen to be low so this reading took Dr and everyone by suprise.

Dr/Pharmacist said to cut back on the progesterone to 200mg a day and we will retest. They think some of the progesterone is converting to estrogen.

In the meantime, they are sending me to a specialist to check out my blood work to make sure this level is only related to the change and to see if I am predisposed to blood clots.

Has anyone had depression with a high estrogen level. I thought high estrogen only caused anxiety.

Also my period came twice this month. Is that the result of too much estrogen as well?

This has me worried.

Sandy

Oh Sandy,
This stuff is so hard. I have been tested a bunch and told that even time of day can effect your estrogen levels and yes too much can cause depression. I am starting to be convinced that messing with hormones is too hard. I think they are just guessing...that's probably why docs are so big on treating the symptoms..at least they know if it works or not and what it is that is working. My gyno suggested that I take a drug to shut down my ovaries, then add in the hormones that I need. I just don't know anymore. My situation has gotten so dire that I am going to have trust my doc and use medication...I hope I don't regret it.
JP

High levels of estrogen can deplete vitamin B6 and cause depression.

Just wanted to share. I hope it helps.

Angel

JP and Angel

Thanks for the replies.

JP I know how you feel. I just made an appointment with a therapist again. The mood swings are crazy and make me feel so terrible. I was at work today sleep deprived and wondering how I am going to get my work done.

I will do what I can and if I can't do enough I guess I will take a leave of absence. Of course I am trying to avoid that.

My supervisor and boss know what I am dealing with and my supervisor had a similar situation with hormone imbalance so I think she really understands. I had to tell them what a rough patch I am in because I took yesterday of unexpectedly ( crying too much really overwhelmed).

I am resigned now to trying ADs to improve things if talk therapy and NHRT can't do the trick. I can't take high doses of estrogen because I have a history of blood clots. Some women can slap on a patch and all is well. I envy them. I have to be careful with the hormones.

Now if I could only get a good night's sleep.

You are right this is hard. I hope you are feeling better soon.

Sandy