No confidence in my GP.

[NickyNora]

Basically I'm 44. On Femoston 1/10 for 3 months.
Really struggling with side affects & symptons.

Instead of increasing my dose my GP has refered me to a Gynecologist.

Is it me or does that seem OTT?

I have an underactive thyroid but wouldn't check my levels yet i read everywhere about HRT affecting thyroxine absorption.

In the mean time what can i do to help myself as i feel awful.

Bump

Go back to your GP and ask for an increase to 2mgs. This should be well within the remit of a GP to manage this type of thing.

If they refuse, ask why. Your body- so you need to ask why they can't offer this etc. At 44, 1mg estrogen is likely to be too low.

On the other hand an NHS gynae referral is not to be sniffed at; loads of women would love that, but it does seem a bit seldge hammer to crack a nut at this stage . I suspect your GP will be given short shrift for a referral for something relatively straightforward - ie trying a different dose before sending you to a gynae!

I asked her to increase the dose in the meantime but she refused. She said die to the side effects. I got very upset ( bloody progesterone) as I'm really struggling with the side effects & symptons.

I wish i could have a referal to an endocrinologist. Would be more helpful!

What do you think the Gynae will do /suggest PollyPerky?

Why and what did she mean by side effects? She ought to know that the amount of Norethisterone is the same in the 1mg and 2 mgs versions, so there is unlikely to be more side effects and in fact fewer because you'd have a higher level of estrogen.
These GPs need to do some basic training on HRT.

A gynae will just give you 2mgs or maybe suggest a different type such as Femoston which is what your GP ought to do before sending you to a consultant.

Thankyou. Exactly what i thought but didn't hsbe tbe confidence to debate it with her.

Excuse typos

The side effects have been really painful periods. Stomach pains, bloating & severe PMT whilst on the progesterone part of the Femoston.

I don't feel any benefits of HRT so far.

Sorry. for some reason I was reading this as you being on Elleste Duet- that is another thread going on here.

If you are using Femoston, your other options are
Mirena coil plus estrogen pill, gel, or patch
A sequi patch
Estrogen gel plus Utrogestan

Your GP could give you any of these but it's always going to be trial and error. You may get on better with patches or gel because the bloating and stomach pains often happen with pill form.

Thanks
I won't have a coil.
I have a long term skin problem so patches arent an option though gel might be.