Bloodtests to find out if I am in perimenopause?

[mamamia2020]

I am nearly 44 and lately have been getting some strange symptoms. The main one is really sore boobs that start around the time of ovulation and lasts until my period starts. It eases off for a few days and then ramps up again. I've also got a really foggy head I can't shift and headaches. I have Hashimotos (Hypothyroidism). Autoimmune diseases run in the family which apparently can make menopause early and my Mum went through it at 45. My periods are still regular although my cycle used to be 33 days, now around 27

I'm overseas at the moment where I can walk into any lab and request the tests I want without having to see a doctor. I'm returning to the UK soon so I'd like to get some tests done to work out if I am actually in peri or not. However, I'm not sure of the blood tests I need to get done and in what part of my cycle.
Thanks in advance.

FSH
Google Follicle Stimulating Hormone blood test. But You should not be offered this test if you are taking a contraceptive containing oestrogen and progestogen or high‑dose progestogen because the contraceptive changes your natural FSH levels

They have to be done at certain times of your cycle- not at any old time.

Days 2-5 only and 2 tests, over 2 or more months.

Is there a reason why you want the tests?

At 44 it's a bit early for menopause (no more periods) but the winding down can take up to 10 years, so your symptoms are quite normal.

@JinglingHellsBells
I'd just like to get an idea if this is what is causing the symptoms. My boobs are so painful so if it isn't peri why is this happening? I'm having to take painkillers for it. My mum was 45 when she had her menopause and I have a thyroid condition which I read can cause early menopause. A

I guess it would be nice to have confirmation OP. I am 42 and have all sorts of symptoms going on, which I also put down to perimen.

I had a thyroid test about 18 months ago in case that was my issue, but that came back fine. No hormonal tests done though, as whilst I am having regular periods (albeit on shorter cycles) they weren't interested really.

My issues are disturbed sleep, hot flushes, shorter cycles of around 3 weeks (usually around 20 days, but anything from 18 to 28 days), dry skin and hair loss, aching joints, headaches, and palpitations. Just to name a few .

I would say that if you think it might be something other than perimen, you should talk to a GP.

I had blood tests to check hormone levels but neither times was I asked where I was in my cycle (would have been impossible to know as my periods were so irregular.
I think it's worth having tests to see if you could be peri menopausal to be sure that is the reason for any adverse symptoms.

Blood tests for peri menopause are unreliable. NICE (read guidance pinned at top of this) says no tests for women 45 and over. Under 45 it' s to check if you are having an early menopause / POF (premature ovarian failure) which needs treating with hormones.

You won't be having an early menopause now- you're too old for it- unless your periods stop completely before 45.

Sore boobs are part of PMS and all PMS gets worse in peri.

It's a known thing!

@JinglingHellsBells

Blood tests for peri menopause are unreliable. NICE (read guidance pinned at top of this) says no tests for women 45 and over. Under 45 it' s to check if you are having an early menopause / POF (premature ovarian failure) which needs treating with hormones.

You won't be having an early menopause now- you're too old for it- unless your periods stop completely before 45.

Sore boobs are part of PMS and all PMS gets worse in peri.

It's a known thing!

I was over 45 when I had both my tests.

My GP didn’t offer me a blood test at 44, she just agreed that my checklist of symptoms was enough to warrant trying HRT. I use the gel with mirena coil. My sister is 4yrs older so I was able to benchmark against the awful time she was having doing it all natural, so to save my job & relationship I wanted to try HRT. Within 3mths I felt like a different person again. Don’t suffer in silence but do your own research and find a GP who will listen to you. I picked a female mid-40s GP with young kids...she was very supportive.

I was over 45 when I had both my tests.

There's no answer to that @RockingMyFiftiesNot other than NICE advise GPs not to :) It's in the guidance at of of this page.

Unreliable, costly for NHS , and don't actually do anything.

NICE advice is treat the symptoms and assume it's peri meno unless there are other possible health issues that also need confirming/ ruling out.

@Mamamia2020 I have had really sore breasts post ovulation until my period for about 8 years now since my early 30s. I also have hashimotos, so maybe there's a link. My FSH is on the high side of normal and has been for a few years but I think I've still got a fair few years to go before full menopause, as I'm undergoing fertility treatment so know I've still got a decent egg supply. My cycle is also a few days shorter than it used to be, albeit still regular and normal for me in terms of flow etc (very light).

The boob thing is really annoying. I have to wear a bra in bed and pretty much live in sports bras for the second half of my cycle.