33 with an FSH of 35.7

[Sausagedognamedmash]

After months of random blood tests for all the symptoms of perimenopause my GP finally agreed to a FSH test despite 'it being really incredibly unlikely to be menopause at 33'. Results have come back, an FSH level of 35.7. They can't test on day 3 of my cycle as who the hell knows when that is, my cycle is ranging from 60-90 days apart, comes and goes whenever it feels like it.

However the hot flushes, night sweats, anxiety, rage, insomnia, stone in weight gained entirely around my middle that I can't shift despite gym and diet. All point to perimenopause.

I have a follow up with the GP on Tuesday morning to talk about options going forward, anyone got any suggestions what I should be looking at? Questions I should be asking? I thought I had another 20 years to figure this out given family history of mid50s menopause.

Happened to me when I was about 38. Doctor would not take my missing periods seriously and thought it was stress as I had no other menopause symptoms. Finally did an FSH test which was c30.

I was then diagnosed with Premature Ovarian Insufficiency and referred to an endocrinologist to try and identify the cause as it may indicate an autoimmune disease. I can't really remember what that entailed as in my case my mum had also had an early menopause so I was always sure the cause was genetic. I was discharged from the endocrinologist relatively quickly and started on HRT.

If you have all those symptoms you will probably be offered HRT. You need it for your bone health too. You should take it until at least the regular age of menopause to protect yourself from osteoporosis. I chose to take tablets as I didn't want people to see me wearing a patch and ask what it was for.

theros.org.uk/blog/2021-03-22-what-s-the-menopause-got-to-do-with-bone-health/#:~:text=If%20you%20have%20an%20early,weaker%20bones%20in%20later%20life.

www.nice.org.uk/guidance/qs143/chapter/quality-statement-3-managing-premature-ovarian-insufficiency

Sorry - just remembered a bit more (it was quite a few years ago) I had private medical cover through work so also saw a private gynae. He did an AMH test to estimate my remaining ovarian reserve. The test came back at 0.01 ie nothing left. He also got an FSH level of over 100 so in comparison yours is pretty good.

Looks like you can do the same test by post now which, if you were hoping to have / have more children might be relevant.
randoxhealth.com/anti-muller-hormone

Good luck at the drs. I would say focus on controlling your symptoms first and then you will be able to think more clearly about your longer term health.

Thank you @Choux . Have doctors this morning so will hopefully get an idea of how they intend to proceed here.

My mum has some rare illnesses that whilst genetic tests have shown I'm not predisposed to, I am a carrier for an illness that can attack the pituitary gland so I will be pushing for that to be tested a little further. Whilst I do not think it is that, I have seen the way this illness has slowly destroyed my mums organs and left her with permanent damage due to slow diagnosis so I'm not going to take chances on that one!