Perimenopause - advice please

[Whiteminnowfish]

Hot flushes day and night, trouble sleeping, headaches, moody etc.

I am almost 46.

I've made a docs appointment which won't be until 5th February.

I've done some online research and I am going to start taking Menopace to help with the symptoms.

If I go to docs and get a blood test will these tablets affect the result? Showing I am not perimenopausal?

I can't stand these hot sweats especially that night. Not sleeping and headaches because I am dehydrated due to sweating.

Blood tests are not helpful in diagnosing perimenopause, as our hormones are fluctuating daily. The doctor should be listening to your symptoms not ordering a blood test. What are you hoping the result of your appointment will be?

You need to describe your symptoms to your GP, who may well prescribe HRT (if you want it) on that basis. Your symptoms at your age certainly sound perimenopausal. As the pp above says, a blood test won't be helpful and isn't necessary.

As for Menopace, I took it and I'm sure it reduced my overheating within a few weeks - it may have been a coincidence, I don't know, but my symptoms were mild and not full-on flushes just annoying overheating. I'd be fairly certain it wouldn't affect blood test results as it's essentially a vitamin and mineral supplement.

There'd be no harm in trying it, you never know it might be enough to make you feel better. It was enough for me, but my symptoms were milder than those you are having.

@LiveFromNewYork

Blood tests are not helpful in diagnosing perimenopause, as our hormones are fluctuating daily. The doctor should be listening to your symptoms not ordering a blood test. What are you hoping the result of your appointment will be?

Just for a diagnosis and treatment to help alleviate symptoms.

I am worried it could be Thyriod trouble. Probably not

Menopause contains biotin. Biotin can affect the results of a number of blood tests (any blood tests done using an immunoassay), including some thyroid blood tests. The doctor won't know if this is the case or not only the lab will know.

You shouldn't therefore stop all supplements containing biotin for at least a week before any blood tests. I have regular blood tests and stop biotin a week before and all other supplements 4/5 days before to be safe.

However as others have said you shouldn't need blood tests to confirm perimenopause as you have vasomotor symptoms and are over 45. Link to nice guidelines below....

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/ng23/chapter/recommendations

Link to info about blood tests and biotin.

www.fda.gov/medical-devices/safety-communications/update-fda-warns-biotin-may-interfere-lab-tests-fda-safety-communication

Yes only thing that may affect tests is biotin. Stop for a few days / week before test.

As said over 45 no tests needed

We've been working with Henpicked as a company for our workplace menopause strategy. There's lots of resources on their website, and they recommend downloading a symptom tracker and going along to your apt with that and read through of the NICE guidelines (as well as doing some research into other lifestyle / holistic options in case you want to try something other than HRT).
Blood tests aren't always helpful, but may rule out other issues. Good luck