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Original poster

Tired, achey, low energy - AFTER starting HRT

29 replies

FedUpOfThis101 · 21/03/2023 09:39

Hi, is this normal? Do I need the dose adjusting?

I started HRT in December, on the lowest dose; Estradiol 1mg/norethisterone 0.5mg.

I always used to wake up early, didn't ache (unless it was inflammation from bad diet, I'm good at recognising this) had enough energy to exercise every day when I was eating well.

I've been eating properly, all homemade, whole foods, and I wake up late, even sleeping up til my alarm goes off at 9, thats unheard of for me, I naturally wake up at about 7-7.30 usually and don't ache or feel too tired for the gym.

I'm still bleeding, that hasn't settled down yet.

I'm booking an appointment with my Dr and she'll do a blood test but does this sound normal? I didn't have aches or low energy before starting HRT.

OP posts:
Original poster
FedUpOfThis101 · 21/03/2023 09:41

Actually, I've just realised I had low B12 before, I had to have 2 injections a week for about 3 weeks and take a daily B12 vit. - and I haven't been taking B12 tablets as I had a load of forcival vitamns, and have just been taking a multivitamin since they ran out 🙈🙄🙄🙄 How could I forget that ffs.

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GingerAle1 · 21/03/2023 09:50

Might well be vit B, I have to supplement that too, if I miss a day, I know about it!

i hadn't heard of Forceval, I can see what it is but wondering what the difference is between that and ordinary vitamins. The main website shows me a phishing warning.

Original poster
FedUpOfThis101 · 21/03/2023 10:06

Its vitamins given out by the Dr, they are extra potent. I'm not buying them though, I'll go back to the ones I was taking as they were enough and see if I need a couple of top-up injections when I have my blood test.

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WarriorN · 24/03/2023 18:04

Worth checking thyroid, vit d, folate, ferritin and b12 if you've had injections in the past. Make sure everything is upper ranges

WarriorN · 24/03/2023 18:04

To rule out the possibility of it being hrt, but that sounds unlikely.

Original poster
FedUpOfThis101 · 25/03/2023 09:35

My b12 was to the lower end of the acceptable range, my VitD was lower than it should be, so I've bought some of those and my Dr is checking my iron and thyroid, and maybe something else, I'm not sure.

I was googling and it could well be iron deficiency anaemia, I've been bleeding pretty much constantly since December, and my blood counts/haemoglobin etc were low.

OP posts:
WarriorN · 25/03/2023 11:00

Ferritin really does need to be over 70-80, preferably over 100. Especially if you're on thyroxine

WarriorN · 25/03/2023 11:00

But iron can interfere with absorption- I take x2 spatone (with vit c) in the afternoons well away from caffeine, milk or the thyroxine

Original poster
FedUpOfThis101 · 26/03/2023 09:04

I'll find out on Tuesday.

OP posts:
fuckitfuckitall · 26/03/2023 09:16

Have you increased your dose of HRT?
I was put on oestrogel and told to start on 1 pump a day and increase as needed.
Were you given similar advice?

WarriorN · 26/03/2023 09:27

Yes It's likely that you may need to move up too. You could ask for a test to check absorption.

I seem to be having issues there too and keep moving onto higher patches. Now on 125 and still not convinced it's enough (I've recently had covid though which can apparently knock your oestrogen receptors Angry)

Interestingly my local nhs area define ferritin above 70 as ideal on the results pages. Same with vit d, optimal is above 70 iirc. I think below 50 is inadequate (can't rent how measured.)

It's worth signing up to online results to keep track of these things I find. Used to think it was a bit hypochondriacal but a nurse friend said it was good self management and it really is, to make sure I'm as well as I can be as I'm also hypothyroid and on thyroxine.

Original poster
FedUpOfThis101 · 27/03/2023 09:40

I'm on tablets, not gels or anything. I just take the one tablet every day.

I just had a blood test last week and asked for all th ehormones and they came back in the normal range, and she said you can't measure it like that, if you are taking it, the readings will be in the normal range.

Its hard to tell because I didn't really have symptoms, just the brain fog (gone) and loss of libido (this much better >< but barely any difference) and a bit of dryness starting (a bit better).

OP posts:
Original poster
FedUpOfThis101 · 28/03/2023 10:33

My iron is fine and she said my thyroid is perfect.

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GingerAle1 · 28/03/2023 12:43

OP what was your reason for starting HRT? Was it the bleeding? You must be worn out!

Original poster
FedUpOfThis101 · 28/03/2023 14:21

No, I hadn't had a period for 10 months prior to starting the HRT. 2 weeks after starting it, I started bleeding and its been pretty much continuous since then. It might stop for a day or two then start againa dna the flow goes up and down. I told the Dr the other day and she said some people bleed, others don't, when I said I looked online and it said it shoul dsettle down after about 3 months, then I googled it again the other day and it said it can take 3-6 months.

I started it because the gynaecologist recommended it and the GP agreed and they said I need it for my bones, heart, brain. The only symptoms I had were brain fog, which has cleared up and a bitof dryness and loss of libido.

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Original poster
FedUpOfThis101 · 28/03/2023 14:22

You can buy the HRT over the counter without a prescription here so I could up the dose myself and see if it makes a difference.

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GingerAle1 · 28/03/2023 15:43

I'd stop taking the HRT. it sounds as if you shouldn't have been given it. You're saying after starting HRT you have bleeding amd aches and pains? Upping the dose doesn't sound right at all!

GingerAle1 · 28/03/2023 15:43

Have you got osteoporosis?

Original poster
FedUpOfThis101 · 28/03/2023 18:43

No, I've had bone scans and they are fine.

I'm just a bit tired, it's got a bit better since I started taking b12 so maybe I just need to wait for that to increase a bit, and I'm taking vit.d now.

This tiredness all started after a week of going to the gym nearly every day, I thought it was over exercise but it stayed.

OP posts:
Original poster
FedUpOfThis101 · 28/03/2023 18:45

Taking the HRT was also based on my blood tests - as well as the ovary scan - they were all practically post menopausal.

OP posts:
GingerAle1 · 28/03/2023 19:37

But you make it sound as if taking HRT is essential? You clearly don't live in England, but why is your doctor effectively selling you unneeded medication?

I keep reading your posts and thinking I must be missing a key reason why it was given to you. Lots of women don't take HRT and are fine.

Original poster
FedUpOfThis101 · 28/03/2023 21:32

Both drs recommended I take it, and people on here advised I take it too, to protect my bones and heart etc.

The brain fog was getting bad, I was making silly mistakes at work and couldn't retain any information.

OP posts:
Original poster
FedUpOfThis101 · 06/04/2023 09:29

I started taking active iron supplements and have dropped out all sugars including fruit and my energy is back.

OP posts:
Orangesandlemons77 · 06/04/2023 09:57

Glad to hear you are feeling better OP. Reading wiht interest as I am feeling really tired and can't get to the bottom of it. I did have shingles in Jan so wondering if it is some kind of post viral fatigue. Anyway glad you seem to have found a solution.

Original poster
FedUpOfThis101 · 06/04/2023 10:03

Thank you.

I've got 3 iron tablets left in the pack and I wan't get any more and see how I go. I was reading about iron last night it said it can be really bad if you have too much so I'll carry on withthe diet and not get more supplements as the Dr said my iron was fine. If I get tired again then I'll go back to the Dr and tell her all this and see what she says.

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