Confused by my hormone test results

Women's health
1

Hi all, I am 55, post meno for arund 4-5yrs now and  have been trialling Evorel Conti hrt since last November via a Meno Specialist I consulted with privately.  I have been on a whole patch for a couple of months now after starting at a 1/4.  She asked me to retest my levels to see where we are at as regards adjusting. 

Very concerned at my low progesterone and wondered why she said she didn't need those results, although they were included in the test. 

On reading up symptoms of low progesterone levels may include changes in appetite, muscle and joint pain, sleeplessness, irritability and difficulty concentrating. Diminishing hormone levels can also lead to symptoms such as fatigue, anxiety and in some cases, feelings of depression. Progesterone has a calming effect on mood similar to that of serotonin which I am very low in and my Seroxat isn't helping me now in that department.  Although I do have gut dysbiosis which can cause some of the symptoms, all of which I have.

My depression is particularly bad at the moment along with the anxiety.  I seem to be estrogen dominant with low progesterone!  Am I not completely out of balance?  Sorry I am not understanding how any of this works being post meno I am afraid.

Pre starting hrt results

PROGESTERONE    2.3 nmol/L 0.000 - 0.000

17-BETA OESTRADIOL    *<18.35 pmol/L 0.000 -0.000

TESTOSTERONE    *1.81 nmol/L 0.000 -1.800

SEX HORMONE BINDING GLOB    *152.8 nmol/L 19.000 -83.000

On hrt results

TESTOSTERONE            1.03 nmol/L 0.00 - 1.80

FREE-TESTOSTERONE(CALCULATED)       0.00939 nmol/L 0.00 - 0.04

SEX HORMONE BINDING GLOB          90.8 nmol/L 22.00 - 142.00

17-BETA OESTRADIOL            131 pmol/L

My SHBG has come down which is apparently good but don't I need a higher level of progesterone to feel better rather than estrogen? 

So confused right now and my meno specialist is away until the end of the month.  I don't know what to do in that with my current levels, is it doing me more  harm than good.

Can anyone help please?

2

PROGESTERONE         0.8 nmol/L 0.000 - 0.000

3

Hi Jen, have you ever tried over the counter natural progesterone to see if it helped ? 

4

There are many methods to replace lost hormones. And a bad combination for your system can cause you to feel worse.  It's absolutely true to works for one woman will feel horrid to another.  Obviously what you are on is not working.  

Share your concerns with your doctor and maybe you can find a better fit.  

5

no I haven't Moody.  HRT is new to me and it's my results I am not understanding as I don't know what my levels are supposed to be in order for it to be working. 

6

thanks Gail, it's my results I am not understanding as regards where my levels should be.  I assumed my progesterone should be higher because it's the calming hormone.  I have other issues going on that cause depression and anxiety so I don't know  whether it suits me or not

7

if I want to come off it, do I just remove the patch or do I have to wean off it?

8

Jen, that patch is a combination of estradiol and a synthetic progesterone.  With estradiol ONLY patches, I have known women who have done it either way.  Just removed it, or weaned off.  I can't imagine that this patch would be any different.  But many people would tell you that weaning off is less harsh. you could do that several ways.  Change the patch less and less often, or if it's a matrix patch, cutting it down slowly.  (Sorry I don't know if it is matrix style) but you could look that up.  

I hated estrogen only patches, they drove me crazy.  So I just took the dang thing off.  

9

I've never had lab work to determine what my levels were because during peri they can bounce up and down or the ratios can be out of balance, so they can change drastically within days of testing. I've gone by the recommendations in the books and writings by Dr. John Lee and adjusted dosages according to my symptoms. Since you are in menopause, I would think your hormones should have stopped fluctuating.  They should be able to get an accurate reading and just supplement what is low. I hope you continue to stand up for yourself and get what you need to feel healthy and happy again. I think it's ridiculous the way women are treated concerning hrt. Yet, I guess there's no questioning or shaming if a 95 year old man requests a little pill so he can perform sexually the way he did 50 years before.  Women sometimes need hrt just to have a normal life, and why that's not considered as worthy as an old man performing sexual stunts is an indication of obvious bias toward women, imo.( By the way, I have nothing against 95 year old men doing sexual stunts!) Whatever makes you happy, I say!