GP written me off after 2 FSH tests

[Dollyparton3]

44 years old and been having symptoms for about a year, low mood, terrible itchy skin, trouble sleeping, irritable, periods longer and more painful with spotting upto 5 days before period, dry eyes, low libido etc. I can cry at the drop of a hat and other than this my life is not bad at all.

GP had me in for two FSH tests, 1st one inconclusive and the second one now says "no further action" so I'm left here now with no next steps. if it's not peri then all of this is VERY out of character for me.

it's 5 months until i hit 45 which apparently means the GP will offer me HRT no questions asked, should I go back and ask them to try again or go private?

Have you had your thyroid tested? Or asked for your actual FSH numbers from the test, instead of just getting their interpretation?

no I should ask them to clarify - getting a "there's nothing wrong with you" reply when I just dont feel right is not helpful at all

Ask them for the numbers and for them to investigate your medical issues

I would go back and request HRT as those all sound like peri symptoms to me. Check out the NICE guidelines first and take them along. The Balance app is also god for tracking symptoms that you can then share with your GP. Failing that ask to see a different GP or head to the Newson Clinic.

thanks everyone, I'll push a bit harder

If you don't have a local menopause clinic, managemymenopause.co.uk is the NHS site that offers a form to fill in and then gives you specific advice. It might give you better info than your gp.
I went private and got bio identical hormones which have been very helpful.
I second getting your thyroid checked.

Do you know at which point of your cycle your tests were done?
I had tests done and was told I was absolutely not in peri-menopause as my oestrogen levels were super high.
A test with a consultant gynae the next month showed levels had plummeted to virtually non-existent after a (bi-annual)period and she explained that it was like extreme build up of oestrogen and then drop causing symptoms.

Had I not had repeated tests,then the initial assumption of not in peri maybe would have stood.

Just to add, I requested a copy of the blood test results.

I went through the same- NHS refusing to prescribe HRT because my oestrogen levels were very high. I did go private in the end, got HRT and feel a million times better. Now gone back to the NHS who will prescribe it for me.

My (private) consultant said that oestrogen levels can fluctuate a lot over the month and from month to month when you are in perimenopause, so the blood test alone isn't a reliable indicator.

Speak to another GP or a nurse practitioner if you have one. I spoke to the nurse and she listened to my various symptoms and period tracking and started me on Femoston for a trial 3 months. It has made a little difference, I'm on another 3 months and I've to have a review to see if it needs adjusted. Push push for help. Blood tests aren't reliable, I haven't had them but I've read here so much valuable advice and my nurse also confirmed that's the case.

Good luck, and I also have the most awful itchy skin it's one of my worst symptoms xx