I have been struggling with perimenopause for 4 years and I remain confused. In July of '05 my estradiol level was 171 (normal range 50-150) and Progesterone level was low at 0.9 (normal range 4.1-23.7). Shortly afterwards I started on Progesterone Cream and have been on it ever since. I have not had much relief of symptoms and the last several months have been horrible. I bought one of those over the counter urine menopause tests last year and it was negative. Re-did last week and it was positive. Saturday I had labs repeated becasue I feel so bad. Estradiol level is now 20 and Progesterone is 0.8. I see on the lab sheet where the level of Estradiol for Postmenopausal women is less than 18. I am awfully close. However, I am 44 and continue to have regular, heavy monthly periods. Would this be because I am on Progesterone? Might they be stopping if I were not. And what to do now. Add an Estrogen Cream and if so, what kind. I will fax my labs to Pete tomorrow for suggestions. I am just floored that my Estrogen has dropped so low so quickly. Any thoughts>
Thanks soooooo much in advance
Melanie

Melanie,

So sorry you've gotten no responses here.

I'm really not sure what to say with regards to the hormone levels - my understanding is that they can swing dramatically even over the course of a day at times, so any kind of testing seems iffy...

But I do wish you offer support - this isn't fun.

JJ

Hi Melanie....

I absolutely agree with JJ this isn`t fun.


But please hang in there....

Lots of {{{hugs}}} to you..
Christina

Hi Melanie

I am also 44 and became peri last year - 3 hormone tests - first one had post levels - second one normal - last one post levels again - so I have yoyo hormones.

I have also heard hormone tests are a bit hit and miss cos swings are so rapid.

I am not on any HRT but am trying to source a consultant who could give me info on bio-identicals here in UK - not easy!

Sorry you are having a rough time - it is very trying - a real character test this one - the worst time of my life - never a day goes past now that I dont feel crud with one thing or the other.

Hang in there

Mele

I was just reading the post and wanted to know if anyone that has had their blood work come back normal, how long it was before they got their next blood test done? I went to the doctors on Monday and seen another doctor besides my regular one. She was really good and understandable, she at least did the blood work that my regular doctor did not do. It came back normal, yet I feel everything but normal. I am still getting my periods but they are sometimes late, sometimes early. I noticed that I am heavier and clotting. I am also going through alot of aches and they seem to travel. I am now experiencing them in my legs. One day they could be in my thighs, then travel down to my knee area and then the calves. I do get back, shoulder, and neck pain but not as severe as it was months ago. Also have been experiencing fatigue, tiredness, hot spells, weight gain, anxiety( which is not as bad as it was late last year, when it was extremely bad). I am at wits end with my doctor because he seems to me, ignoring what I am trying to tell him. I just want the doctor to be able to tell me whether this is perimenopause or not. Does anyone suggest I get more blood work done to see if the levels differ?

Thanks