Does anybody know what tests are carried out to determine if your in the menopause/perimenopause

[lostittoday]

Hi

Can anybody tell me what tests are carried out these days to determine if your in the menopause/perimenopause.

Is there a accurate test that can be done that gives a definate answer.

I am aware of tests that check your fsh level but are these the only way and a accurate way of telling.

I have posted this on the menopause thread but that thread doesn't seem too active.

Please can anybody advise.

As far as I know hormone levels, as you say.

Sorry I can't be of any more help. Bumping for you.

I have just had blood tests for this today as it happens. I don't know how accurate they are though-I shall ask when the results are back.

I'll be watching this thread for any info, 43 seems early but I have symptoms that have had me wondering.

it is a hard time through menopause but i know from my experience it does get better.Blood tests should show signs of it.It does run through female lines of family (what age was your mum/nan )when they had the menopause.Usally around the same sort of age.I was quite early 45 when it started.Went on for a couple of years,Irregulaar periods etc.Least it gets it out the way no more lining up for sanitry towels /tampax.Then you can get on with the rest of your life.Esp if the periods get heavy and painfull .They(periods) seem to spread out more .good luck.every 1 is different some are quite lucky and have no probs.

FSH is the only reliable test to diagnose menopause.

A high FSH confirms menopause. However, you can still have a normal FSH up until a year after the menopause.

There is no reliable test to diagnose perimenopause.

50 is the average for menopause in the UK, but anything over 40 is considered to be 'normal'.

Message withdrawn

I spoke to the practice nurse at my gp's surgery about this. She had just been on a menopause awareness course, and said that a single test of hormone levels is not an accurate measure, as hormones can fluctuate so much on a day to day basis. The test would need to be carried out on a daily basis over the course of a month to get an accurate picture. She suggested that I read up about the symptoms of menopause and if I was troubled by any of them to come back and discuss what could be done to alleviate them. Seemed sensible advice to me.

Feeling very confused atm about it all.

I am 37 years of age and members of my family went through it between the ages of 38 and 40.

I have had some suspect symptoms such as feeling too hot, irregular periods, I also had a 3 months absence.

When I had the 3 months absence I went to see my doctor about it and a blood test was carried out to check my hormones and thyroid function.

It was found I was suffering from a underactive thyroid and my doctor thought that was to blame for my asbent af.
Also fsh was high that was also put down to the thyroid.

I am on thyroxine and AF did return I have since had a 33 day cycle and then a 23 day cycle.

I am now on cd 40 with no sign of af.
My fsh was checked again and it was 7.

I am to have a scan on the ovaries due to irregular af.

My doctor says that my fsh is okay and that suggests I am not in menopause.

Is this really a true indicator though that I am not in menopause.

I would like to know as I am ttc my 2nd dc.

Ihad all the bloods done over a 2yr period (from when I was 38-40yrs old )
It is only now at 43 that they have confirmed I am post menapause, as I havenot had a bleed for almost a year. I am due to go and have a DEXA scan to make sure I do not have signs of ostioperosis(sp?) that may need treatment due to early change. This according to my doc is funded for people under 45 ,as this is classed as an early menapause. HTH

Have read this with interest as I'm 43 next birthday and have only spotted 1/2 day this month. Have no idea what a BF is - is it a period?