i'm confused about what my estrogen level should be. i know everyone is different, but my doc said it should be over 100, and then the other day he said he was trying to get it ti 80 or 90. i only have one ovary so i'm not on progestrone, although i know those levels are low too! any info would be greatly appreciated. thanks

I wish I could find something about hormone levels too. I just got my FSH report and it was 108. He said that was normal but didn't give me the ranges. Normal for what????? I had my uterus removed about 12 years ago and now am experiencing the tremors/shakiness/vibrating/buzzing along with panic/anxiety and hot flashes. I just started on the vaginal tab called Vagifem. It's estradiol. It seems to be helping with the hot flashes but not the other symptoms. HELP. What does 108 mean????

Hi, Atlanta Girl here... on estrogen levels... one of my guiding hormonal authors/doctors is Dr. Elizabeth Vliet. She wrote Screaming to Be Heard. It's a tomb to be sure. She is very careful to back information with studies as well as her experiences with her own patients. On estradiol levels, for optimum relief of symtoms and best well being, 75 pg/ml is the base line least, don't feel too good; good levels are 90-100 pg/ml and fantasic, little to no symptoms are 200 to 225, and some women even 250 pg/ml. I am aiming for 200, having come from >7.

You might want to get this book if you want more info. She goes into the 3 different estrogens and what they target in the body.

Wow, now I am concerned. My estrogen is 27.67 (on Ortho Evra patch, mid cycle, 27 yrs old, no period for years now)
My LH is 4.27
FSH is 1.92
Prolactin is 7.57

Any idea what that indicates?

I'n not sure if this will help, but the pharmacy on this site recommended these levels to me
Estradiol 100-400
Progesterone 0.2-0.8
Testesterone 20-76
Free Testesterone 0.4-4.2

Seems like a wide range. My estradiol is 20 and my NP said normal. I do not understand. Seems no one wants you to figure this out.

Hmmm thanks. Is the 20 figure for your estrodiol normal for a menopausal patient?

What it idicates is that the ortho evra patch has suppressed your ovaries production of estradiol, which is common. Any E you are producing is coming from the conversion of estrone, made in the fat, to E2 (estradiol).

The EE, or ethyl estradiol, in ortho evra is not measurable in your average blood test. It takees a special serum test to measure this form of E.

I might think you are right about the patch suppressing my ovaries, Atlanta Girl, but secondary ammenorhea that lasts for more than 6 months after discontinuation of bcp's or patches has nothing to do with them.
I took off my patch for a year to try to get preggo again, and no periods still. In fact, my "meno symptoms" (if that's what they are) came on WAY stronger than ever before. I also had amenorhea for two years without any bcp's or hormones prior to the patch.
I actually put on the patch to try to induce periods - I was scared I was building up a uterine lining and not shedding it. Turns out I wasn't.


Is this stuff confusing or what? My hubby is a medical student with a biochem degree, and he still has no real clue.

I would say that your estrogen is quite low for 27yo, erstradiol <35 is post-meno range. Ortho Evra patch supresses ovulation, and gives you a vey low dose of E. The rest of the hormones are absolutely normal for your age.
JMO

Im totally confused about these levels too.

my FSH is 11.3 and was told that was high. norm on my labsheet is 1.6-8.0 MIU/ML
my estradiol level is 29- norm is 13-54 PG/ML
and my testoserone total is 53 norm is 250-1100 ng/dL

testosterone, free percent is .55 norm is 1.00-3.10%
and free testosterone is 2.9 norm is 35.0-155.0pg/ml


He told me that I was perimenopausal. some of the ones I look up state I am menopausal. so confusing..

mamalle, if you haven't had an hysterectomy and you're still having periods, you're perimenopausal. You need to be period-free for 12 months to be considered menopausal.

I had several FSH tests that said I was post meno, but they were false readings.

thanks- I did have a hysterectomy last year but kept my ovaries for hormones. I havent had a period since last october since my gyn cauterized the last of my uterine tissue. He ran these levels a few weeks back since I have been having various symptoms and now recommends hormone therapy..

Hi, this is a great thread!

I am confused about levels too!

Does it not depend on what day in the cycle you take the levels? For example you may expect lower levels before ovulation and higher levels after ovulation....and also depends on your age...like 40-50 may be pre-meno and the values may be lower and after meno lower yet....right?

I am just as in the dark as everyone else! slowbear

Wow, I'm 49 and also confused about the lab results. I do not know if I'm postmenopause or what the heck I am!

I would like to post my latest Hormone Labs, maybe someone could shade some light of this for me....am I postmenopause?

TSH/ 2.3500 reference range 0.4000-4.0000 ulL/mL
Free T3/ 3.05 reference range 1.02-5.02 pg/mL
Free T4/ 1.22 reference range 0.80-1.90 ng/dL

TBG/ 29.80 reference range 13.00-39.00 ug/mL
SHBG/ 161 (high) reference range 18-114 nmol/L
Total Testosterone/ 22.0 (low)
reference range 65.0-119.0 ng/dL

Free Androgen Index/ 0.5 reference range
0.0-8.5 Units
Progesterone/ 1.33 reference range
0.00-160.00 ng/mL
Estradiol (E2)/ 357 reference range 0-400 pg/mL

Unconjugated Estradiol (uE3)/ <<<0.25
reference range 0.0-2.0 ng/mL
DHEA/ <15 reference range 26-200 ug/dL
Cortisol/ 8.8 reference range 5.0-25.0 ug/dL

FSH/ 4.2 reference range 0.0-153.0 mlU/mL
IGF-1/ 75 (low) reference range 94-252 ng/ml
IGF-BP3/ 2.83 (low) reference range 3.30-6.70 ug/ml

IGF-1 1GFPB3 Ratio/ 0.027 reference range Ratio

Can anyone make since of these labs? Could I be postmenopause? or in menopause?

Thanks for you help,
Ark (Sabrina)




Oh Geez forgot to say the above post I just made I wanted to add that I was on my period when these labs were drawn. Could these levels be low due to being on my period??

Thanks,
Ark (Sabrina)

No matter what the lab results say, you're not considered menopausal/postmenopausal until you've been without a period for 12 consecutive months.

Since you were having your period at the time of the tests, you're still perimeno.

Hi MaryO,
I'm still in for the ride of my life!
Oh Boy, what fun this is going to be! Really looking forward to all of this!! LOL

Thanks for your reply.......

Sabrina

So what kinds of hormonal tests are you ladies having? Saliva tests or blood tests, and what is more reliable? Does your regular gyn order up the tests for you?

I am really curious as to what my levels are, but my doctor is against any hormone level testing, and has advised against it, because she thinks the tests are unreliable due to constant fluctuations. I have no quarrel with my gyn on most issues, but I was wondering if I might skulk off somewhere else and get hormone levels tested. lol

Have you ladies found these tests to be useful? It sounds as though you have not had any useful conversations with docs to learn what all the numbers mean. Do they give you the tests and then alter your prescriptions accordingly without explaining why, or did you just go out on your own to find out your levels for your own edification, but now don't know how to interpret the results? That's a lot of questions, but, as the old ad used to say, inquiring minds want to know. lol

witsend,

what my GP said to me yesterday is it might be worth me having a hormone test to rule out very extreme levels. He agreed that they aren't brilliantly reliable for anything else.

Hi witsend,
Your GYN Doctor doesn't belive in Hormone Testing? If this be the case, then I would guess ti would be up to your if you feel you need these test done or not, labs testing or saliva testing. Personally I think it's a great Idea to have yourself tested.

I had Blood Lab Testing done. My levels do show they are out of range but then again I'm at the age were I think this can be pretty on schedule for a women my age of 49.

Do I find these test to be useful you ask?? Well what it does show me is there a problem and my hormones may need adjusting. To understand the test, I don't think there's any test for anything hormone or liver test ect that we as non-doctors understand completely.

The internet has been wrath of information to find out what these test mean etc. Here's a great links that explains test and what they are for:
http://www.labtestsonline.org/


So it's up to you if you feel you need to go else where's to get these test done.....heck I say go for it!

Sabrina



I do know that the levels can fluctuate

wow, I realize that this is a really, really old post but I am newer to this board and came across this. I think this is my problem... I need estrogen!! I am 41, had a hysterectomy (left me my ovaries) at age 34. A downhill slide since then for sure. Anyway, most recent estrogen level was 14!!! Endo said, well that "could" be normal(#$^#&% I think I am going to demand some estrogen!! Does anyone else agree???? Thx for the help and advice!!

oh my, i remember when i started this , LOL . i do think you need some estrogen, and maybe some progestrone. i would start on something soon. i would try bioidenticals first. good luck and welcome to ps. hugs, kelly

Thanks Kelly!

My progesterone level was .8 - seems low as well. Do you always take progesterone and estrogen together? I am a complete beginner at this stuff

You can't believe how much better I feel knowing that there might be some light at the end of a very long tunnel for me - thanks again for your post and feedback
-K

hi k, i was on estrogen patch for 8 months, and then found out that i had thyroid disease. so i've been on thyroid meds for a while to see if that would help my ovary produce some hormones, and it did for a while, but now i am starting back on the hormones. i am playing around with doses, but hope to get straight soon !! some docs say to take progestrone everyday if you don't have a uterus, and some take it like if they cycled. i would suggest finding a really good doc. hugs, kelly

I can tell from your lab fanges that you had your test done in the early follicular phase (days 1-5). 29 is normal for that time of the month, your FSH is kind of high though.

Hi Atlanta Girl
I am from Atlanta too. I have premature ovarian failure since 35. I was on vivelle 0.1mg and prometruim for years but never felt great.
My recent estrdiol levels were 120 pg/ml then two months later at 184 pg/ml. My Doctor wanted to lower my estrogen levels or put me on the pill to balance them.
Are you on progesterone? Have you had skin changes from the estrogen? Do you have anxiety?
Please help!
Kayla