I am 44, have been on Everol Sequi patches for over a year, which broadly have helped a lot with hot flushes, anxiety and depressive mood that was quite clearly cycle related.
In Jan I saw a private menopause specialist as I was still very tired with basically no libido though. Had blood tests and my estradiol levels were lowish (was during period so assume that might be why?) and my testosterone levels were very low. Specialist prescribed testosterone gel which ive been using since and my NHS GP will now issue repeat prescriptions. The blood tests were repeated three months later and estradiol and testosterone levels were generally a lot better.
So it's all been quite positive, and I've been able to cut back on antidepressants to a low dose as a result over the past 12 months. I've also been able to exercise more consistently, particularly running, ao physically feeling quite a bit better bar a little bit of weepiness and some hot flushes around my period.
But suddenly I am feeling really bone achingly tired again. I'm sort of managing to exercise, but it feels like dragging myself through treacle - I'm needing to nap daily (luckily wfh but spending every lunch break and sometimes a random hour in the afternoon) needing to sleep. I dont know where to go from here. My GP has said she will prescribe stronger patches if need be but I dont think it would be with a blood test (have only had those privately) so at thus stage I feel like its turning into guesswork, and I have no idea whether upping the oestrogen/prog dose would affect energy levels.
I know from trying to give blood the other day that my iron levels were v slightly low, but the nurse said it was probably because of intense interval training in the 24 hours beforehand and said they weren't low by own health standards, just a bit low for donating.
Blood tests for other things (not hormones) have previously been OK including when I have been feeling like this.
I eat reasonably well, I exercise, I try to sleep 8 hours, i take multivitamins. I just want to lie down though and stop thinking... today it took me a couple of hours to have enough energy to make kids sandwiches for dinner and cut up some veg sticks. I dont want to be like this but I just feel knackered.
Anyone know if a higher dose of HRT is worth a try? I don't think higher dose of testosterone is possible from what I understand... I feel lucky to have that at least tbh...