Poor absorption options

[Charlock]

Long story ... however will try to be brief. Been on HRT since July 21. Took 8 months but when I got to around 200mcg Estradot patch finally felt better. Still got some cyclical dips so went up to 275mcg over the course of last year. Blood tests seem to indicate I don't absorb well e.g. I was 278 estradiol on a 125mcg patch. Anyway, did well for best part of a year then January this year things came crashing down again. My symptoms are primarily psychological - dreadful anxiety, and obsessive thoughts, very low mood. Plus insomnia and night sweats. I've increased up to 300 patch plus 4 sprays of Lenzetto but I'm no better. I've started back on an AD couple of weeks ago but the thing that's niggling me is the fact I'm still getting night sweating. As far as I'm aware this is usually low oestrogen. I'm on Testogel gel too ... I seem to absorb this okay as my levels went too high in January so I've cut that back. I'm under a specialist for all this and due to have a review in 4 weeks.

Any other poor absorbers out there? What did you do/try? Any successes? I hate that I'm on this high dose and wish I could find something I absorb better. I have migraine with aura so oral is contraindicated. Thanks for reading.

Are you doubling and tripling up on patches as the highest is 100mcgs.
How are you using a 300mcg patch?

@JinglingSpringbells 3 x 100mcg patches.

I put them on my upper butt cheek or hip and stick a couple of Tegaderms over them to prevent 3 gunky rectangles.

Bump ... anyone got any ideas?

Is it worth getting your bloods tested? I went from 75 patches to 100 patches and actually went down in oestrogen (and along came night sweats). I then bumped up to 125 which then sent my level up to high for me (sore boobs, low energy, weight gain). I think I actually got a dodgy pack of patches.
I’ve been feeling my best at about 250 - 350 blood test wise.

I do think it’s good that doctors rely on symptoms, but my doctor likes to see what is going on with bloods also to help us decide what it best. At this point you could be too high in oestrogen or not high enough, blood tests might add some insight.

Also when are you putting you testosterone on? I put mine on later in the day once and found myself sleepless for a few hours. I think it is energising, so maybe better in the AM. I do find similar with anything that is meant to be energising - vit D, vit Bs, Q10 etc.

Sertraline makes a different with my sleep, no much less anxiety in general.

Anyway no solutions to the oestrogen absorption, but somethings to think about.

Good luck!

Thanks for replying @Ohchristmastreeohchristmastree

I'm wary of blood tests, well through the NHS anyway. The last one I got was 829 on a 250 patch. I was feeling well at that time. I saw NHS consultant gynae to get Mirena fitted and discuss HRT and she said it was a high level. When I challenged her by saying I'm peri and blood levels vary and I feel well she didn't want to know. I would consider getting one privately. I'll mention to specialist at next appointment.

Interesting about the T, I hadn't thought of that before. I apply mine last thing at night. I'll try mornings and see if it helps my sleep. Thanks again.

I also don't absorb much on patches or gel. I'm having a mirena coil fitted so I can increase the patch level beyond evorel 100, if that doesn't work I will probably try the oral oestrogen.

Yes I’d like to know about this. I’ve been on HRT for a year, working slowly up to a 100mcg patch. A year ago, my oestradiol level was about 150. Last week I found out, it is about 150.

Is it just not going in?

@PetraPancake it doesn't sound like it. Have you had relief of symptoms?

Could you be on too high a dose? I’m only suggesting this as I’m in thyroid hormones (NDT which I dose by symptoms) and too much has a similar effect on my symptoms to not enough?

I have wondered that at times @Peggottythecat but the fact I've had blood tests that show low absorption and night sweats as far as I know are associated with low oestrogen not high doesn't make sense to me. I've never had unscheduled bleeding (apart from Mirena settling) or breast tenderness either.