38 - low hormones...???

[ElGrump]

Hi all,
Hopefully will get a response on this board. I can see there are some similar posts to mine but I don't have the depth of detail other ladies have.

I'm 38 and have been convinced im perimenopausal for about a year. Classic symptoms (shadow of former self, knackered, crazy emotional spikes, chubby tummy etc).

I do have regular periods though. And weirdly they have changed for the better! They were once so so painful I was looked at for endo but about 6 months ago the pain totally stopped?! And they are heavier but not terrible.

Nurse was sympathetic and referred me for a blood test. She said it likely wouldn't show anything. She then put me on the combined pill to see if that would help.

She phoned with my blood test result and just said "all your hormones are too low. I've spoken with the doctor but neither of us know what it means. It can't be menopause though. We've referred you to the hospital endocrinologist. Also your B12 is low"

Forgive me if I'm wrong, but doesn't this prove im at least peri menopausal?! How have they not picked this up? What was she expecting my blood test to say?! Why can't they just shove me on HRT?

I'm so fed up: I'm only 38 and I'm getting brain fog. I've got a 3 year old and I'm being a shit mum. I used to be working my way up the career ladder and now I've gone part time and basically given up because of how knackered I am.

What the hell is wrong with me?

Getting a referral to the endocrinologist is good news, as you are more likely to get answers from them. They’re likely to take a wider range of blood tests which might pinpoint the issue.

It could be peri, it could be under active thyroid, or something else entirely. What are the timescales for the referral?

Is your GP doing something about B12 initially? If not, I’ve heard a b12 spray for your tongue can be really effective.

Thank you! No - I've just bought myself B12 tablets so hopefully that will help. Times ales will be months not weeks

Ask for a prolactin test. High prolactin will cause low hormone levels. It mimics early menopause. Lethargy/fatigue, altered or irregular/no periods, breast discharge ( sometimes not obvious but you may notice crusting), weight gain and generally feeling down.
Other hormone deficiencies can affect your sex hormones such as thyroid.

Go to the endocrinologist, and I would also go to a private peri/menopause clinic if I were you. You are not too young for peri-menopause.