BLOOD TESTS IN PERI MENOPAUSE -PLEASE READ

[PollyPerky]

I've seen loads of posts today from women saying their blood tests didn't show peri etc.

This is the advice from NICE www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/chapter/Recommendations#diagnosis-of-perimenopause-and-menopause

1.2 Diagnosis of perimenopause and menopause

1.2.1 Diagnose the following without laboratory tests in otherwise healthy women aged over 45 years with menopausal symptoms:

perimenopause based on vasomotor symptoms and irregular periods

menopause in women who have not had a period for at least 12 months and are not using hormonal contraception

menopause based on symptoms in women without a uterus.

1.2.2 Take into account that it can be difficult to diagnose menopause in women who are taking hormonal treatments, for example for the treatment of heavy periods.

1.2.3 Do not use the following laboratory and imaging tests to diagnose perimenopause or menopause in women aged over 45 years:

anti-Müllerian hormone

inhibin A

inhibin B

oestradiol

antral follicle count

ovarian volume.

1.2.4 Do not use a serum follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) test to diagnose menopause in women using combined oestrogen and progestogen contraception or high-dose progestogen.

1.2.5 Consider using a FSH test to diagnose menopause only:
in women aged 40 to 45 years with menopausal symptoms, including a change in their menstrual cycle

in women aged under 40 years in whom menopause is suspected (see also section 1.6).
***
I really do recommend reading the NICE guidelines for menopause because although there was a wave of media publicity in 2015 when it was published, it's obvious that many women and their GPs are not aware of the advice in it.

What does this mean PollyPerky? that things are not showing up or that its not worth them looking, bit confused!

maybe google 'blood tests in perimenopause'? You'll find loads.
You might even find info on the actual NICE link.
Basically, they are inaccurate as hormones can change hourly in peri. So no point wasting NHS cash, treat symptoms.

I had a blood test the other day for iron, I'd been on iron pills and this was a 3 month test. I mentioned to nurse I still feel tired so didn't think the pills had worked.. But Also my periods erratic do she did extra bloods and I am in Perimenopause.
Bizarrely iron was fine. But I'm shattered all the time. And my hips ache so much. This all literally started just three months ago.

So if I'm 48 with all the symptoms the gp should just give me hrt, if no other complications?

Instead of repeatedly sending me for blood tests?

it really annoys me when nurses (or drs) ignore the NICE advice. The NHS is broke. Wasting money.That is partly why blood tests for menopause are not advised BUT also because they are inaccurate. You got a peri diagnosis on the say they took blood. two days later it might not have shown that. I got a diagnosis of being post meno (by blood tests for something else) 2 years before I was post meno.

If you want HRT , ask for it. It's got nothing to do with blood tests , but your symptoms.

Hi I have just stumbled across this thread while searching for some info related to my situation... I'm 40 41 in Jan anf have been experiencing a change in my periods I had a very long 43 day cycle a few months ago and then went back to my regular 25/30 day cycle for the last few months then had some mid cycle spotting in October which only really was there in wiping this lasted about a day or 2 then had some very light spotting about a week or two later now I'm in day 46 of my cycle and no sign of my period... I had a smear swab and bmhomrmonnal bloods tested and all came back normal... So what im wondering is going off this information is ot possible I am perimenopausal but it isn't showing in the bloods and is tgag actually possible... I know this is an old thread but hopefully someone will see it and be able to help x

It happens often. I had almost regular but very light periods and diagnosed with early menopause at 42.
My peri started 2 years ago and my blood tests were absolutely normal. I was convinced that I had a kind of terminal disease. If I knew I would start hrt 2 years ago.

Emerald13

Thank you for your reply.. It's a mine field when this all seems to creep up on u I hadn't even given this a thought at all... Ud think that if ur hormones were starting to go weird enuf to cause these symptoms that they would be picked up on a test... But that gives me some peace of mind... Did u experience spotting or kissed periods in the early stages x

Yeah, my periods were almost regular but too light, I had spotting between and sometimes darker or lighter blood. I had no idea that I was in peri, I asked for tests and were normal, my first gyn didn’t care at all and when my symptoms started to become unbearable I asked help from an endocrinologist and another gyn and started hrt. I’m back to my normal self.

Yes that's the way mine had been lately they have reduced down to about 3 days with only one of them being heavish bleeding but nothing lik I used to have... When I started spotting this cycle I was so scared I went straight to Dr's and smear swab and bloods were all normal and told I would continue ovulating normally with those blood results for a good time to come so then obviously I was worrying. About ovarian cancer etc I think ur mind just goes into overdrive when things aren't going the way they should and the tests are telling u u couldn't be perimenopausal x

I would ask for the results of your blood tests Hever - specifically the FSH readings. Also these vary throughout the menstrual cycle and bloods are supposed to be taken Days 3-5 of your cycle. At your age also you are borderline premature menopause so Guidelines are to do two tests 4-6 weeks apart - but make sure one is on one of the Days 3-5. If two tests show normal FSH then I would be asking the doc what would be the other reasons for cyclical and flow changes if not hormonal/menopause? Maybe general bloods - full blood count, iron, vits, liver and kidney function etc - just a basic all rounder.

Are you having any other menopausal symptoms besides cyclical/flow changes? Even if not keep an eye on it and in the absence of any other reason assume it is peri-menopause and once your cycle starts to lengthen even more and periods become sporadic then it is time to take oestrogen as you are too young to be deficient.

You could also regulate your cycle at your age with one of the BC Pills like Qlaire or Zoely which are gentl, wihout pill free week 9 just a few days) e and with oestrogen similar to HRT.

Sorry for typos!

No I don't seem to have any other symptoms... It's mainly just my cycle getting lighter and shorter... I'm wondering could I have just got myself so worried about the spotting mid cycle and its all stress related x