Best cycle day for diagnostic blood test?

[FusionChefGeoff]

Hope that makes sense??

Based on symptoms I reckon I'm definitely peri and want to get on hrt asap. I turn into a sweating, gibbering, screaming wreck once a month which I am not putting up with . Periods bit less predictable than usual but nothing drastic and I'm only 42 which I think puts me at a disadvantage in persuading the professionals.

Had GP phone appt, did blood test but got 'nothing abnormal' text back. I am in the process of trying to get the actual results.

Did a bit more reading around hormone fluctuations but can't work out how the FSH which seemed to be what they were testing links and do I want to aim for a low or high result??

I track cycles on Garmin app so if I can persuade Gp to refer for another test, what cycle day should I aim for??

I’m being sent for some blood tests as only late 30s but showing all symptoms. I’m booked in for the bloods at day 28, hoping it doesn’t matter tbh

FSH levels are tested between Day 2 and 5 of your cycle. (So during a period.)

Other times are not accurate.

If you want a diagnosis of peri menopause, there is NO blood test for this. FSH isn’t reliably raised until you’re POST menopausal. Best test is a trial of treatment with HRT (as long as it’s suitable for you
and you want it of course!).

@TheCatInTheChat Premature Ovarian Insufficiency (premature menopause before 40, or early menopause before 45) is a recognised medical condition. Both of these conditions have the same symptoms as peri menopause in older women.

(I know the OP is 42.)

FSH tests are part of a diagnosis.

NICE guidance is no blood tests on women over 45, just try HRT if appropriate and diagnose on symptoms.

In women under 45, blood tests are done.

HTH

Great thanks so assuming I can get another test I'll make sure to go for 2-5.

Looking at the dates of the last one it was on Day 19!

Thanks @JinglingHellsBells that was helpful information. No real need for the sarcasm though 😊

Hope you get sorted OP.

No real need for the sarcasm though

🤔@TheCatInTheChat

None intended. I said 'hope that helps'. Genuine comment, not sarcasm.

Hi - wondering if anyone can help me interpret my oestrogen result. 244 pmol cycle day 7

Finally got back into see GP who has begrudgingly ordered another blood test but with a very clear expectation that it will come back well under the threshold again.

She said that HRT was 'not an option' unless the FSH was raised.

I asked her why I felt so shit for 2 weeks out of 4 and she said it was due to the progesterone- but isn't that one of the elements in HRT??

Would it be worth looking at a private consultation if this is an NHS box ticking issue or is it actually that im depressed / anxious and not peri at all???

You might not be in peri but may be suffering from PMS that's worsening as you approach peri? Could you ask your GP to trial the contraceptive pill - after all is it is another form of hormones and is used to balance out hormones when a woman has bad PMS. Or could you consider the mirena coil? I'm not sure why the GP hasn't made alternative suggestions to help you if she/he thinks the problem is not Peri menopause!

Thank you so much that's sort of how I left feeling - so if it's not that what is it and what can we do about it?!

They're both excellent suggestions I will go in with next time.

I had exactly what you describe and I eventually saw a private consultant who prescribed me estrogen only patches for the second half of my cycle, days 14 to 28 stating that I wasn't menopausal, I had severe PMT. In the second half of your cycle your estrogen begins to drop and progesterone rises, if you are sensitive to progesterone, lots of women are, it can make you feel dreadful and cause very severe PMT, or even PMDD.