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Help interpreting reuslts

by Marilyn
(Calgary, AB, Canada)

I am a 44 year old female. I have been missing periods for the last year and a half, mostly a month... once 2 months. I have gained 15 pounds. I have all the symptoms...dry eyes, hot flashes, night sweats, agitated, heart feels like it is raising, do not sleep well...wake often, hair falls out, aching lower back, fullness feeling in lower stomach at times.
My doctor did blood tests for hormones, yes I know saliva is better.. they are expensive and insurance does not cover.

LH42 IU/L
Estradiol 250 pmol/L
FSH 78 IU/L

My last period was Dec.14, 2011, it is now Jan. 30, 2012

Any insight would be appreciated.

Thanks
Marilyn

Comments for Help interpreting reuslts

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Jan 31, 2012
 Help interpreting reuslts
by: Wray

Hi Marilyn Your LH is high, the normal range is 5 to 25 IU/L for a pre-menopausal woman. This would indicate you're in Peri-menopause, heading for Menopause. Your FSH is high too, as the ranges for menstruating women are 3.5-30.0 IU/L and for postmenopause are 40-250 IU/L. See Medline LH and Medline FSH. Your oestradiol is within the range for pre-menopause 110.13 - 1468.4 pmol/L, it drops in a postmenopausal woman 0 - 110.13 pmol/L. See Medline Oestradiol. Unfortunately, and typically, they have not done progesterone, this would give an indication of the ratio of progesterone to oestrogen. This is the critical factor, not so much the amount. But judging by your symptoms, you are very short of it. Excess oestrogen is responsible for all your problems. We've found from Saliva Tests we run, that the ratio of P:E2 should be 600:1 and over to feel well. If you should consider using progesterone, please use sufficient. I recommend 100-200mg/day or more dependant on symptoms. There's more info on the two links I've given above for P-M and menopause. But before you start it, please read our page on Oestrogen Dominance as this can occur. If it does, please do not reduce the amount, but increase it. Initially progesterone stimulates oestrogen, which is why it can cause oestrogen dominance. Take care Wray
Feb 10, 2012
 Update
by: Marilyn

I went to my doctor and asked for progesterone and she said that since I am still getting my periods I don't need it. She said that taking progesterone would thicken the uterus lining and could cause cancerous growth. She offered birth control and said that many women in perimenopause use it to control periods and symptoms... I declined. I discussed the issue and didn't get anywhere. It seems that many doctors are unaware of progesterone benefits. I don't feel like arguing with her as it is difficult to find a doctor. Not sure what to do.
Feb 11, 2012
 Update
by: Wray

Hi Marilyn I always find this so hard to believe. Oestrogen is a mitogen, causing proliferation of cells. Why else does the endometrium build up each month during the follicular phase when oestrogen is dominant. Why else is oestrogen implicated in Cancer, or fibroids, or endometriosis and more, because it causes cells to proliferate. Once ovulation occurs, and progesterone is secreted, the lining stops proliferating, and differentiates under the influence of progesterone, ie progesterone cannot cause proliferation! It inhibits mitosis. You have been missing periods, which indicates you are also not ovulating each month, which also indicates your progesterone level is declining. It's certainly not worth arguing with her, it only causes stress, and stress drops progesterone levels. You don't need that! The only option is to buy it yourself, it does of course mean it won't be covered by health insurance. There are plenty of good creams available, we have one too, see here. Take care Wray
Feb 13, 2012
 Back pain
by: Marilyn

Hi again
I am having lower back pain as if I were to be getting a period.
The pain has been on and off for a few weeks.
I went to the doctor and it is not a kidney infection.
Some nights it wakes me up. I am wondering if this could be due to low progesterone or other hormone imbalances.
It's getting to worrisome, I thought it would have passed by now. I don't know what to do.
Feb 13, 2012
 Lower back pain
by: Marilyn

I am having lower back pain as if I were going to have period. It's been going on for a few weeks now. I've been to the doctor and I don't have a kidney infection. At times it wakes me up at night. I have not had my period since dec14th. Can this be low progesterone or other hormone issues. I'm starting to get concerned about it and don't know what to do.
Feb 14, 2012
 Lower back pain
by: Wray

Hi Marilyn This is also an oestrogen dominant symptom, oestrogen is an excitatory, inflammatory hormone. Progesterone is an anti-inflammatory, and will ease the pain. It's best to rub it directly on any painful area, it works far quicker. Take care Wray
Feb 15, 2012
 Back Pain
by: Joy (South Africa)

Hi Marilyn - it is very clear that you are in peri-menopause and progesterone is very definitely needed. You are also estrogen dominant hence your symptoms. Perhaps you need to change your doctor! Find someone who understands the benefits of progesterone.

Good luck.

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