Thought it was peri now I’m scared

[LostFreedom]

I don’t know what I want from this thread but now really freaking out.

I’m 50.

I have had constant spotting for a while which I had previously but resolved (2 years ago and not due smear then) however, it started a few months ago, additionally my symptoms have been:

insomnia and tiredness
aching muscles
really severe depression
irregular periods and spotting
IBS flare ups
acid reflux
severe PMT/hormonal rage
brain fog
thinning hair
chin hair
low energy

I was due my smear so made an appointment with GP also, they have done numerous bloods:

hormone levels normal
normal vit D and b12 normal
normal white cells
low feratin
low platelets
raised liver thing (but only slightly)

Been over 2 weeks and smear not back.

I have been referred for an ultrasound and they will repeat bloods, they have also prescribed 5mg folic acid for 3 months.

I’m terrified and feel like I’m having a heart attack.

Also, did have this really evil flu like virus recently.

At 50 you absolutely will be in peri. There is no actual blood test for Peri as levels fluctuate depending on the day in your cycle.

Blood tests for hormones are notoriously unhelpful when used to make a diagnosis of perimenopause. This is because the perimenopause is a time of hormonal fluctuations. It's often not until very close to, or sometimes even after periods have stopped, that changes show reliably on blood tests.

Thinning hair can be caused by low ferritin. It’s often marked normal around 20 but needs to be above 70 to support hair growth. Low iron also causes tiredness.
Thyroid issues also causes thinning hair, depression, muscle pains, insomnia and period issues, along with tiredness and thinning hair. Did they check thyroid bloods?
Smears have been taking weeks at our lab, they advise 2-6 weeks.
Try not to worry- easier said than done I know. I hope everything turns out okay for you.

Thanks ReallyReallyRealThings

Sorry I should have added that they did check thyroid and that was fine, my best guesses were hormones or thyroid but this has thrown me.

Try not to panic OP. All your symptoms sound like peri and blood tests aren't a reliable indicator as hormone levels fluctuate so wildly in peri.
It sounds like your GP might not have a lot of expertise on menopause.
The feeling like you're having a heart attack sounds like panic/anxiety. Panic and anxiety (particularly in relation to health) were symptoms of peri for me before I went on HRT.
I know it's easier said than done but try not to stress. Read up on peri (the Balance site has lots of useful info), think about whether you'd like to try HRT, and then when you get your smear and ultrasound tests back - assuming everything is OK - you can tell your GP what you would like to do next. If you do want HRT, you can point your GP to the Nice guidelines which are clear that no blood tests are recommended in order to prescribe HRT to women over 45 with symptoms of peri.
Good luck and try not to worry 💐

Thanks WhereAreWeNow

I’ll have a look at that site, I’ve read lots on peri which is why I put it all down to that. I have been prescribed with high dose folic acid so will see how that goes. The low platelet and the liver thing have me concerned too, I don’t drink either not very often anyway.

If you've just had a virus, low platelets and very slightly abnormal liver function are very common

Sounds exactly like peri plus vitamin deficiency plus just general ageing - eg the folic acid thing is common as you age, your body absorbs less, then you get brain fog and feel knackered etc

With the exception of the chin hair (give it time) I've had all of these symptoms Op. You are almost certainly there...

I think you need to do some research, speak to people and decide how you want to manage things going forward. The right diet, exercise and supplements can help ease symptoms for some people. For others there's HRT.

I completely under-estimated how menopause would impact me. I felt like I'd been hit by a truck. I am now on HRT which is helping hugely. But it is tough. Be gentle on yourself.

I've just had a smear test result back, it was normal and took about 3 weeks.

Thanks for your helpful responses.

I’m really struggling with thinking the worst and also trying not to Google, I think I just need to get through this bit and the n IF it turns out ok have a serious think about how to manage things as it’s been affecting everything, particularly work, I really did underestimate how bad this was it’s truly miserable.

That all sounds absolutely normal. I'm 53 and at 50 that's exactly how I felt.

Well my smear came back normal so under routine recall so that’s one thing I guess.

Started on the folic acid so hoping something positive happens there too.

I know I have been more or less spotting all the time but a heavier bleed started a few days ago on cycle day 23 now I’m not sure if it’s a much lighter period that’s turned up early or the spotting has got a lot lot heavier arghh!

That's good news OP. Is HRT something you've tried or want to try? You might find it helps with a lot of the symptoms you've listed.

Thanks. I’ve not really thought about HRT before as I don’t really like taking anything other than a painkiller for a headache etc.

The doctor called (which is how I got the smear result when I asked) they want me to go in for an appointment with the nurse to review all of the symptoms so I guess I could discuss it then, they also said they have done an urgent referral for the ultrasound so I’m back to being terrified again.

It's good news that your smear was normal. I only recently started HRT (I'm 55) and feel so much better. I had a lot of similar symptoms to you so it is maybe something to research and discuss with the nurse. I hope you get the ultrasound done quickly and all is well.

I’m in very early peri menopause - I’m 39. My symptoms were exactly the same as yours and my gynaecologist recommended starting HRT because he thinks I will be going through peri menopause a lot longer than the average woman due to my early progression - I had thyroid cancer a few years ago and it’s kicked a lot of things off

Ive started on a low dose - estradiol patch 1.6mg and utrogestan 100mg. I’m 2 weeks in and can honestly say that my symptoms are massively improved.

I must admit that I was terrified of starting too and questioned whether to even start it - the nurse didn’t do a lot to counteract my fears either and it was almost like she was trying to completely sway me away from it - every possible risk was massively highlighted such as increased risk in cancer etc etc - despite it being highly recommended by my gynaecologist. My cancer luckily isn’t one that excluded me from having HRT

I’ve read an awful lot about weight gain but so far so good - if anything I’ve just kept a bit more of an eye on what I’m eating (I do have a penchant for tea and biscuits!) and the uterogestan you have to have 2 hours after eating so I’d say it’s massively reduced my evening snacking! I’ve lost 2lbs in the last 2 weeks actually and I’m definitely not a gym bunny!!

Good luck with your scan - I’d definitely say HRT would be a good option for you though!

Still ploughing through all the tests etc. scan booked for 18th.

Positive points:

After retest liver and platelets improving

Had CA125 test which is normal

Was prescribed folic acid last time but different doctor says this is not enough on its own as I have anaemia so has prescribed iron. Anaemia is likely due to frequent spotting.

Still feel like dirt but had a long chat with a nurse who thinks that the male doctors are not fully understanding my symptoms and she says I will absolutely be in peri and once scan is done I am having an appointment to fully discuss HRT.