When should my FSH have been tested?

Women's health
1

Hi everyone..

I have been having awful symptoms , insomnia , heavy sweats (night and day), irritable, panic, palpatations chest pains (twice) . I have a thyroid issue ( no treatment for it though) and also Fibromyalgia. I saw the doctor last week as I thought maybe my thyroid was going hyper, she suggested the menopause and took blood from me there and then to test. I got the results back from my FSH test today and it was fine as it was very low. My question to all you knowledgable ladies is when should my FSH have been tested ? I have regular periods and mine was test on day 25 of my cycle. I have read everywhere that it should be tested on day 1-4. Help I am confused ? Has my doctor tested me at the wrong time?

Thanks in advance

Amanda

2

Am I being nieve Amanda what is FSH ?

3

hi. mine was tested on day 4.  I was told it should really be done at the start of your cycle, during your period.  So have it tested again i think.  They tested my oestrogen level on this same blood test also.  Progesterone is tested around day 21.

4

 Hi, Thanks for getting back to me.

My periods are still regular and I told her that. She never asked when my cycle was due..just took the blood there and then. 

So your doctor made sure you had your blood taken on your period?

I am not looking forward to telling her I need it testing again as she has made a mistake!

5

Hi,

I had never heard of FSH until last week either Rose..lol

It's follicle stimulating hormone..( I think!)

6

Thanks

I've never had a test was just told I was in the menopause and was given hrt

7

hi amanda

I just copied this from a website called early menopause if you want to quote it to your doctor.  Doctors don't think that these tests are reliable anyway and never want to do them!

In general, if you’re still getting a period, most doctors recommend that you get your blood levels taken on day 3 of your cycle — that is, the third day of your period.  If you no longer are getting a period, then you can get tested at any time.

8

Thanks for that !

I can't believe my doctor has wasted my time completely, and now I have just missed the cycle for this month and will have to wait another!.

I was wondering if I should buy a home testing kit for next month and just do it myself and if it is positive just take the results to her ?. If you don't mind me asking what symptoms made the doctor check you for menopause? 

9

Hi Rose,

If you don't mind me asking what symptoms were you having when she diagnosed you and how old were you ? I am almost 46 and having been having so many symptoms of menopause. Did HRT help a lot?

10

Hello amanda

I was told I was going through the meopause July 2015 I was having severe flushes every 5 mins I hadn't had a period for 4 months I'm 54 now

These where the first symptoms I had

I was put straight on to hrt

In the past year I've tried 5 different pills all causing severe headaches at one point being taken into hospital

The doctor took me off all hrt may this year , since then I've had every menopausal symptom , flushes, joint pain , no sleep , anger etc etc

I have been taking hetbal tablets and flaxseed and vit d3 since beginning of June

Nothing is helping so I'm going to ask about patches

Rose

11

Sorry to hear that!.

I am new to all the menopause symptoms, but I have been diagnosed with fibromyalgia which has almost the same symptoms as menopause

I sometimes wonder what is causing all my symptoms, fibro ,menopause or thyroid. I am none the wiser after the test today!!.

I am totally with you on all the symptoms you have..joint pain, anger and insomnia is off the scale!!. Hope we both get the help we need and feel better soon!!

12

I had missed a period last year, then started to get awful symptoms, palpitations, digestive issues, dizzy spells, exhausted and also got stiff shoulder, all at once, it was awful.  has settled this year but a still out of sorts.  Don't know about home testing kits, how good they are?  

13

I have fibromyalgia in my back I didn't realise the symptons are similar ill have to read up on it

I will definitely let everyone know if I have any joy with patches but I'm not holding my breath

Rose

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and yes, doctors are clueless about menopause, they really are. I suppose she is a younger woman.  They have no idea what it really is like to be in it, it's unbelieveable as women go through it all the time, but I suppose, I was ignorant to it all too. It's the weirdest thing to go throughconfused

15

My ob/Gyn tested me on day 3

16

Hi I have just had mine tested Mobday and gynae said the best time to get accurate readings is 2nd-5th day of your period......an even if it shows normal you can still have perimenopause symptoms...

I'm 48 an have started wth a lot of them she gave me primeve plus to try

17

Hi Michelle,

Thanks for replying. It looks like I have been tested on the wrong day

  Frustrating!! 

So if you have just had it tested on Monday have you had your results ? Mine took a week. If you have not had your results are they treating you on your symptoms alone? Also what is primeve plus ?  sorry for all the questions  I am confused with all this...lol

18

Hi Colleen,

Thanks for getting back to me.I really can't understand why everyone else has had their test done during a period and she did mine at the end of my cycle??? Maybe time to see another doctor!

19

Hi yes I'm 48 an gynae said with all my symptoms I'm def starting peri menopause she has given me natural stuff 1st for a few months Primeve plus is evening primrose oil wth vit E vit B zink an mag an also on MenaCal 7 which is a calcium supplement if that doesn't help she has a anti depressant Serdep which they use for women with menopause symptom after that hrt...... hav nt got results back yet....

20

Hi

from what I have worked out she has tested me as if my periods were irregular. If I didn't google so much ( I know i shouldn't lol) but I really would have just accepted the results and worried about my thyroid more. I see my endocrinologist in a couple of months so I might just wait and ask her about all my symptoms and the day the doctor did the test..might get more sense from her than my GP.

The doctor ( since my results are lowand I am not in perimenopause) says  it could be anxity and depression and need to fill a questionaire in. I told her I was not depressed but was feeling very anxious (thats why I was there) So it looks like they are going to try and start me on the anti depressants route.!!