Hormone levels - we are all different

[jacksfullofaces]

There are many hormone preparations from pills to patches, gels and implants. Every user has a favoured regime. I personally like oestrogel. I use 4 1/4 pumps daily in three divided dose. At night I take 100mg of Utrogestan and I occasionally use compounded testosterone.
Most hormone preparations are available on the NHS although persistence is the key to not getting fobbed off with the cheap stuff.
Many women dislike norithisterone and others find that pills cause nausea.
I'm making this a sticky topic because we do need to put information here for new members wsho might need information on HRT.
Jacks

[Robyn]

It always intrigues me when people discuss their hormone levels. How do so many people know what they are? My GP is never interested in doing blood tests because she always says she prefers to go on symptoms because hormone levels are too unreliable.

I'm still struggling with finding the right HRT. I've been on Premarin now for about 3 weeks (although I've got a long history of trying all sorts of HRTs), and I know that's not a long time, but I'm still struggling with my sleep issues even though I've increased my sleeping medication, and last night I even had some "warm" flushes, which I don't normally get..

I'm just starting to get really scared that I'm one of those women whom HRT just doesn't work for.

[jacksfullofaces]

Robyn
The specialist I first saw told me that if hormones aren't removing the symptoms it is time to look for other factors - I did this and my thyroid was implicated. Since stabilising it I have felt generally great.
Jacks

[Robyn]

Maybe you're right Jacks. All I know is I'm getting totally fed up with everything at the moment. It's 11.30pm and I've been trying to get to sleep for the last 2 hours.........

I had to see my GP today to be get a flu shot because it's really bad here at the moment and she said we could try the next higher dose of Premarin, and then if that doesn't work it's off to the gyno. So, as an experiment, I've decided to take 2 x .625 Premarins for a week or so to see if upping the dose myself will have any effect.

[jacksfullofaces]

Good for you Robyn - it is worth a try wishing you luck
Jacks xxx

[gobe]

I hope you manage to get some sleep tonight, Robyn.

[susan]

Aug 28, 2012 2:11:04 GMT Robyn said:

It always intrigues me when people discuss their hormone levels. How do so many people know what they are? My GP is never interested in doing blood tests because she always says she prefers to go on symptoms because hormone levels are too unreliable.

I'm still struggling with finding the right HRT. I've been on Premarin now for about 3 weeks (although I've got a long history of trying all sorts of HRTs), and I know that's not a long time, but I'm still struggling with my sleep issues even though I've increased my sleeping medication, and last night I even had some "warm" flushes, which I don't normally get..

I'm just starting to get really scared that I'm one of those women whom HRT just doesn't work for.

I'm so glad you put this up Robyn.

I am clueless on this, have been all the way through peri and am now 5 to 6 years without a natural period. (maybe I have no hormones to measure :'(0.

But I don't think I have ever had them measured in my life.

I do think that maybe once you are at the stage where I am it may be easier to get the dose of HRT right as if your own hormones are at a consistent level then it is easier to work out the dose you need to keep them topped up, to a point where you have a level of stability. Although i would imagine it is different from one women to another, with some doing better on low levels of replacement and some on higher levels.

I'm sorry to hear you are still not feeling great. and I hope the double dose of Premarins is the answer for you.

xxxx