Worrying blood results

[AllGoodNamesRGone]

Hi all
I came here as I don't really have anyone to talk to, my DH is sympathetic but I guess he just doesn't really understand 🙃

I went to the GP because I have been having symptoms of night sweats, brain fog (so much so I just can't cope with my job), very low mood, exhausted all the time, headaches and erratic periods as in heavy for two weeks, then light for two days - last one being 7 weeks ago after being regular all my life.

I have had my bloods done, which I can view on my records and my gonadotropin (FSH & LH) is abnormal and high, B12 is abnormal, ferritin and folate abnormal, Cortisol borderline and the rest borderline with TSH satisfactory.

I know I am not a medical professional and need to see the GP. But I just can't go on feeling like this. I am pretty sure this is perimenopause and feel the sooner I start HRT I can start to move on. But I also feel that I will see the GP and they will just make me have more/other tests and I could go on like this indefinitely. It is affecting my work (I'm now on sick) and my mental health.

I saw a GP last year with some of the above symptoms (barring the periods this has only just started in the last 6 months) and was told I was too young for menopause and it won't be that. I'm 44.

Just looking for some knowledgeable advice really so I feel more informed before going to the GP.

Thank you for reading.

44 isn't too young for menopause! What was your TSH result by the way? Can you give us your other results too (with ranges) because it sounds as if you have quite a lot going on health-wise that needs correcting, at the very least, especially if you have low ferritin as that will make you feel at death's door!

Honestly I think these doctors would have very different opinions if the same symptoms happened to them!

But I also feel that I will see the GP and they will just make me have more/other tests and I could go on like this indefinitely. It is affecting my work (I'm now on sick) and my mental health.

Why would they do that?

You need to go to your GP and say that you want HRT.

Be assertive.

It shouldn't be a battle. Your blood tests show that you have issues with your hormones.

If it becomes a problem see a different GP or (if you can afford it) make an appt with a private menopause dr (many work online now) and you'll have no issue getting HRT at all.

Is your B12 low? This could explain your brain fog . Ferritin if low could explain exhaustion.
It could be early menopause or it could be a bad diet lacking nutrients.

In what way abnormal for any of these - high or low?
low B12 would make you exhausted. Very quickly fixed. Hope you’re on a strong B-complex
low ferritin - squeeze lemon juice on every meal and that will help you absorb iron in the food.

From how you've described your results you have TWO types of anaemia (iron deficient and B12 anaemia.

Either could explain many/all of your symptoms and you should feel MUCH better after treatment.

Your GP may prescribe supplements. Whatever iron supplement you get should be one you can tolerate well enough to take. You may also want to look into private B12 injections. If you have very low iron/can afford it, there are also some clinics near London that offer iron infusion.

Peri/menopause symptoms may continue to do a number on you in other ways but treating the anaemia will make life so much better for you!

Thanks for the responses. To answer a few questions:

Last year when I went to the GP and told I was too young I was sent for blood tests, counselling and an ultrasound (I was also bloated with chronic period pains at the time). All came back 'satisfactory' so I left it and didn't push, just thought they would think I was a hypochondriac or something. I've struggled on for over a year now and it came to a head when I just broke down and couldn't face work.

Test results:
Serum ferritin16 ug/L * *
Serum* *folate 5.6 ug/L (above 3 suggests deficiency)
B12 119pmol/L (115-1000)

Gonadotrophin:
Serum LH 40iu/L (2-11)
FSH 40iu/L (3-9)

TSH 1.9mu/L (0.35-4.7) satisfactory

Cortisol, liver function, urea and electrolytes and bone profile borderline too.

My periods are also concerning to me too.

I think I need to be more assertive. My follow up appointment is in 2 weeks. I don't think I can take this for another 2 weeks.

Just to add. I have a good diet. Balanced with plenty of fruit and vegetables, meat, fish, pulses, cereals etc.

I just came off the phone to my GP as I have many of those symptoms. All she said was that I am an excellent candidate for HRT etc and she’s arranged blood tests (to check whether there are any other issues that may mimic hormone issues) and a prescription for HRT and the coil. There was no suggestion I’m too young (I’ve just turned 46). If your GP doesn’t help, find another who specialises in women’s health. Does your GP surgery have someone who does? If so make an appt with them.

Your FSH is showing post menopause.

Under 30 is what it should be for anyone not post menopause.

It CAN vary from day to day and ideally you should have 2 tests over 2 months on days 2-5 of your cycle.

If you can't wait 2 weeks, and can afford around £250 there are many private consultants who could help you. TBH most of the best ones will be booked for 2 weeks but if you're happy to pay, the Newson Clinic usually has availability for online appts. I'd recommend my own consultant but I doubt they would have any appts within 2 weeks.

That's the 'being sent for more tests' that worries me.
If I have to wait for another blood test I could literally be waiting another 6 weeks (this is the wait time currently for blood tests at my surgery).
Also the fact that I am not regular at the moment, the last day of my last period was 1/5, so having it done on day 2-5 of my cycle will be impossible.
Unfortunately, I just don't have that sort of spare money at the moment otherwise I absolutely would go private.
I appreciate your advice.

Unfortunately, I just don't have that sort of spare money at the moment otherwise I absolutely would go private.

It may not help but payment for private health is available on credit card not just cash on the day.

Folate's normal. B12 borderline

i can't offer advise, but wanted to wish you luck.... i have come out of the other side of menopause and i had to do it cold turkey.. not suitable for HRT or any of the other guffins they palm off on you.

as for too young at 44 for menopause... i was told at 28 i was starting menopause!!

thankfully that GP was an idiot and im now 57.. and 3 years post

Your ferritin is seriously low, no wonder you feel dreadful 😔 do you know what your haemoglobin level is?

What was your Hb? Haemoglobin?

With regard to the cortisol (I speak as someone with Addisons disease) this needs to be done at 8-9am to be of relevance. If it’s under 450 you need referring to an endocrinologist for further testing. (If it wasn’t specifically done at this time you can’t use the test results for diagnosis purposes).

https://cks.nice.org.uk/topics/addisons-disease/diagnosis/investigations-suspected-adrenal-insufficiency/

When you say other tests borderline - it depends what the test is. For some, normal is literally completely normal, for others slightly low or lower limit of normal is a potential abnormality.
Btw You've misread the folate, if it's higher than three obviously that's not low or a deficiency.

You're right. Was just too much to look at. This was the result:

But looking at it now, it is still abnormal because it is so high. Apparently it can suggest a B12 deficiency so that actually makes sense now.

Haemoglobin is 139.0 g/L (120 - 160) - so that looks fine?

Most of those bloods have nothing to do with menopause! I'm an anaesthetist so can't comment on the hormones but uve got 3 forms of anaemia which will make you feel crap. Are you veggie/vegan as your diet seems somewhat deficit? You need b12/iron/folate supplementing and normalising as a minimum (and investigating the cause of) then likely to feel much better

Cortisol needs taking at 9am if done at some other time of day isn't really interpretable

No it's absolutely NOT abnormal. It's normal.

If you want to put up the calcium, LFT etc you said were borderline Ill have a look.

OP, I think peri-anxiety is making you reluctant to go to the doctors. I talk from experience as I think my own HRT needs changing and I’m anxious about getting an appointment, who I’ll see, what they will say etc. For me, the anxiety is one of the worst symptoms.

OP, write it all down and take it with you when you see your GP. 44 is not too early for peri and your symptoms suggest you are going through this.

The GPs aren't really much use in my opinion. They don't always have the time to go through everything in enough detail - if you can, I'd look at getting a private assessment from an expert. My sister spoke to a very good woman (online) called Helen Jones Nutrition when she had similar and found it very useful. She had a private blood test and then they went through the results together and looked at supplements etc to help with energy levels and all sorts.