I just got back from the doctors and she said that I am "IN" menopause? I am 46 years old, still get my periods, but she said I was "IN" it as my reading was high? I don't understand this, but I have a copy of my test results and don't know what they mean.

The test was a blood test - FSH -
It's says - 49.4 mIU/mL

Follicular - 2.5-10.2 mIU/mL
Midcycle - 3.4-33.4 mIU/mL
Luteal - 1.5-9.1 mIU/mL
Postmenopausal - 23.0-116.3 mIU/mL

Male 13-70 years n- 1.4-18.1 mIU/mL

What does all this mean?

Thanks in advance,
Rebecca

Hi Rebecca,

Just want to welcome you to Power-Surge!

I have no idea what the test results mean, but do know that it's very difficult to trust blood tests for gauging whether one is in menopause. Hormones fluctuate all the time, and can vary significantly from day to day.

If you're still having periods, you are clearly not in menopause!

However, 46 is not too young to be having hormonal "droops," as the changes really begin for some folks at your age (did with me!).

Spend some time tooling around on this wonderful site, and you'll see others who like you, have been told they are menopausal when they have regular "monthlies," or are told they are NOT menopausal when they haven't had a period in a year!!!

Best of luck to you,

JJ

Hi Rebecca
I am not by any means an expert on this, but my understanding of the figures are as follows;
The first three ranges given are the different phases in the cycle, and what the normal FSH reading is in those phases eg follicilar (at ovulation) leuteal (after ovulation) and so forth
.
The range for 'menopausal' is given at the end, and then the FSH is raised.
This means the pituatary gland has to work harder, sending more FSH (follical stimulating hormone) into the bloodstream, to stimulate the ovary to produce an egg.

Your FSH is 49.4, so its showing that the pituatary gland is now having to work harder! Mine is 54 at the moment, I think, and I am still having periods too. I think each person has a different limit, before the ovarys fail to produce an egg, and have a period.

Obviously men must have a tiny amount of this in their bloodstream too, dont know what thats for???

Hope I have made this a bit clearer!!!
I think the bottom line is that its changing all the time, but what I wonder about is does it stay raised forever (post menopause) or does it fall back after a certain time? Has anybody any answers?
keep well
Alfreda

Hi Rebecca,

Your post was interesting so I "Googled" your question on FSH levels. Here's the best link I found: http://www.med.umich.edu/1libr/aha/aha_fshblood_crs.htm Like Alfreda said, there seem to be many factors that determine your FSH level at a certain point of time. This website says other hormones have to be measured and compared to get a "diagnosis". But seriously, if you are having periods, you haven't paused! hahahahaha Welcome to perimenopause (and Power Surge)!

Oh, and here's why men have FSH (good point Alfreda): "The main function of FSH is to promote and sustain the ovarian follicular growth in women and the spermatogenesis in men." from:http://www.gfmer.ch/Endo/Lectures_08/sexual_hormones.htm

I've never had any of my hormones measured...not sure how helpful it is since they flux so much!

MP

Wow - I'm learning alot today... thank you Rebecca for asking that question... I too, wondered what the numbers represent and mean and what our cycles are. Thanks Alfreda and MerryPeri for sharing the info...

Blessings,
Stacy

I have read that you can have normal FSH test results and still be in peri. Does anyone know if that is true? My gyno ran the test and said it was normal but so is every other test that has been run on me trying to figure all this out. To be honest from reading this board peri is the only thing that seems to fit. Everytime something new comes up I will start reading and sure enough I find others that are going through the same thing. I have to say this board is a blessing!

Definition question -

So perimenopause is before meno (or maybe more accurately, its the slow down indicating menopause is coming), menopause is when the periods stop, and then what is post menopausal? I mean, by saying menopausal, aren't I already stating that periods have stopped? What is "post" that?

p.s. to akbonster - fwiw, I have the same question re apparently normal FSH levels, yet symtoms occuring daily now. I am in process of ruling out any disease issues, but from what I read so far, the fsh is kind of worthless early on in the process. It appears you have to catch it just at the right time to get any kind of accurate read on what your situation is.

please ignore the definition question - I just did a search and found some great threads on it. sorry I didn't check first!

Hi akbonster,

I also got a "normal" test result back for FSH. My level was 2. My doctor told me that I was not in peri and that he didn't really believe there was a peri stage. He said either you are menopausal or you aren't. Obviously, his wife has not had peri symptoms yet. But then I asked a hormone specialist about this and she said that FSH testing was very unreliable because the FSH levels change so quickly - from day to day. She also said that the best time to take the test was on the second or third day of the cycle. Mine was taken 2 days before my period started.
She also said that just because all the tests I have had have come back "normal" does not mean a whole lot when it comes to perimenopause. I think she is right! Every symptom I have falls right into the peri category.

Yes! This website is a blessing!
Maeflower