Oestrogen too high

[Topsyturvey10]

My friend has been taking HRT for a for about 3 years and when signing up for a new GP they suggested an appt for a HRT review.

The results of the blood test show her oestrogen levels are too high. Has anyone here had this happen? She has fibroids and heavy periods. What was the solution?

There not enough info really.. is she on progesterone? Continuous? Cyclical?
Depends on a lot of things really.
Heavy bleeding and high oestrogen indicates she's not taking enough progesterone and obviously test results show, too much oestrogen. As she's having a review I suggest she should read the NICE HRT guidelines beforehand. Many gps don't understand the regime properly and put women on the wrong dose. (Speaking from experience!)

It would be better for your friend if she signed up to MN and posted because at the PP says there are so many variables and none of us can really give an accurate response.

For a start, blood tests are not accurate.
There are many papers online (medical papers) stating this and my consultant won't do estrogen tests for that reason. (And it's not a money-saving issue.)

I don't know what you're asking.

The solution to fibroids and heavy periods?

Or if HRT wasn't the solution to these?

or if HRT has caused these?

The review is supposed to be done annually.

Usually it's just a case of 'How's it going/any problems/ ok fine- carry on.'

Does she feel she has a problem?

She is wondering if the HRT could be the cause of it being too high? A quick google search mentioned that fibroids could be an under cause and she is having a scan March to check them.

I just wondered if anyone else had been in the same boat and what the solution/ outcome was for them.

I was h see the impression they didn't routinely do blood tests due to the day to day variation in levels but the practice nurse said it was to measure both the oestrogen and testosterone levels, with a view to starting her on testosterone too.

The real question is what is 'too high estrogen'?

What dose is she on and what type?

As I mentioned, it's a meaningless measurement because the reading varies according to the time of day, what she is using, and other factors.

The fibroids aren't relevant except sometimes HRT can make them grow. (fibroids don't cause high estrogen.)

If she has an issue with fibroids, that's something separate and in some cases they use surgery to remove them but it all depends on the size.

TBH it would be better if she asked here herself so she could give more details OR ask her GP about it.

What HRT is she on? Oestrogen only or progesterone too?
What contraception is she using?

I had an issue with too much oestrogen recently as my HRT and contraception were not licensed to be used together but that was only spotted months after starting use

Scan showed thickened uterus lining and had to have a hysteroscopy (hideous, but another story)

Make sure your friend follows up - too much oestrogen increases chance of uterine cancer

HRT is not licensed as only estrogen unless someone has had hysterectomy.

Hi @jackstini I had an issue with too much oestrogen recently as my HRT and contraception were not licensed to be used together but that was only spotted months after starting use
would you mind me asking what you were on? I ask as I’m awaiting hysteroscopy and biopsy after thickened lining, unusual bleeding and pelvic and back pain.
I am wondering if my situation might be similar.

I was on oestrogel and Vagirux (both oestrogen) & on implant

Doc spotted it after asking how long I had had a Mirena coil in, then went very serious when I said I didn't have one

Scans done within a month (external and internal ultrasound) done on a Friday, results on Monday - put on 2 week pathway
Thankfully Hysteroscopy only showed thick lining and ovarian cysts, no cancer, fibroids or polyps - but a scary few weeks
Now on dual patches Evorel

@jackstini you can have a contraceptive implant (Nexplanon) with oestrogen, but you need progesterone as well hence the concern at no endometrial protection such as Mirena or oral/transdermal progesterone.

Women can’t use combined hormonal contraception with HRT though.

Exactly @Sidge
I should not have been prescribed the 2 x oestrogen products on implant alone - should have definitely had some progesterone

Thanks for the info. Glad you were ok @jackstini

@Topsyturvey10 Your friend might get more help if you started a new thread or got MNHQ to change your subject line here.

It's not about high estrogen but the levels being tested before testosterone.

What you seem to be asking is whether women need their estrogen testing before being prescribed testosterone.

There are a lot of women here using testosterone so they might reply.

The fibroid etc is bit of a red herring.
Fibroids don't give out estrogen.

Her HRT is what is causing 'high estrogen' because it's supplementing her own. but as it's never an accurate reading, that's not relevant either.