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Serum oestradiol

2 replies

Echlefecker · 08/07/2025 10:19

I'm 51 and post menopausal. I've been evoral conti for the past 2 years. My hot flushes and joint pain went straight away. My libido never came back. I do take vagifem too.
I recently had my hrt yearly review. Not in person just online questionnaire and I asked if I could have testosterone. The nurse rang me up and said she would do a blood test
I've just had results and she says that she tested my serum oestradiol as well as testosterone. I was surprised at this as previous nurse always said they could t test it as it doesn't give a full picture as levels fluctuate. Anyway she says I'm not absorbing my oestrogen. My level is 108 pnol/l. She wants me to change my hrt before she will let me have testosterone. I'm scared of doing it as I feel not too bad. I don't like messing with things. But I do feel flat and I'm hot at night.
Has anyone been in this situation? What is the gold standard now of hrt? She was on about tablets but I don't like taking tablets. The patch is very easy! Any advice gratefully received...

OP posts:
JinglingSpringbells · 08/07/2025 10:24

Blood tests when on HRT are not accurate. The 'test' is how your symptoms are.

Tablets are not considered ideal and you'd need to use a higher dose as a lot is lost in digestion.

I didn't think testosterone was licensed on the NHS anyway or for libido. I thought the criteria was for 'energy'.

Wid · 08/07/2025 16:25

Welcome to the ‘you’ve got to optimise your oestrogen before we prescribe testosterone’ journey!
Can you increase your patch?

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