I’m so confused right now.
My health has been dire for years, especially the last two. All started over 10 years ago when I was on a drug that causes pseudo menopause for two years (recommended maximum course was 6 months but I was kept on it longer).
I have no menopausal symptoms but have many symptoms that appeared to be linked to hypothyroidism but multiple tests have shown that’s not the case.
I then had some hormone levels checked privately and it came back that my oestradiol level was low. That test was done during the follicular phase - result was 32.3, normal range from 45.4 - 854
Other hormone levels were normal. My symptoms very much tally with low oestrogen levels. I’ve read studies that show many women who take these type of drugs have had low oestrogen levels for years afterwards.
I went to see my GP who didn’t get it and thought I thought I was in perimenopause so I tried to explain. She said she couldn’t trust the private test but would happily get my hormone levels tested.
And of course this time my oestradiol has come back in normal range - but I don’t understand how this is worked out. I had the test during the luteal phase, and the normal range for that phase is 84 - 1155. My result was 154.
I found this graph of levels through the cycle, albeit with a different unit of measurement. During the luteal phase there’s a massive variation in levels - it goes from low to high back to low. My test was taken on day 23, when it should be at its highest in that phase of the cycle, yet it’s near the bottom of the reference range. If I’d had it done a few days earlier or later then it would have been lower and possibly outside this range, right? So how can they know it’s normal?
I’m going back to see my GP shortly and fear they’re going to be very dismissive but I’m still really concerned about this. I’m having a DEXA scan next week (should have had one years ago because of the medication, and because of the pain I’m experiencing it seems sensible).
I just feel so frustrated - I felt like I had found a possible cause that made sense, tallied with symptoms and could be treated. I just want to feel well again, I want to be in less pain and need less pain relief, I want to have a sex drive again (I am not exaggerating when i say that I’ve only had a sex drive for a total of around 12 months in a decade, and that’s only been when I’ve come off hormone treatments / stopped breastfeeding and my cycles have resumed and - from my symptoms at least - it seems like my hormone levels have adjusted, but I’ve been off the pill for nearly a year and that hasn’t happened this time). I do get a few days a month where my symptoms are less severe and when I tracked it that tallies up with ovulation when oestrogen levels are highest. It all makes sense, I’m just not sure what to do from here.
Any suggestions on what I can do if my GP won’t help? I know some resort to purchasing HRT themselves but I really want to avoid that if possible. I’ve tried natural methods of improving hormone balance many times in the past to no avail.
Anyone know anything about this at all? How can there be one normal range for a phase where there’s so much variation?