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Insomnia and dosage to low?

by Mrs Green
(Germany)

Dear Wray,

I am very pleased to have found this site.

May I ask you for advice?

My values on day 19 of my regular 27 day cycle (saliva test) were as such:

Estradiol: 7,9pg/ml (0,8-10,8)
Testosterone: 42 pg/ml (5-49)
Progesterone: 162 pg/ml (100-450)
E/P-ratio: 0,049 (<0,005) !!!!!

I started with 3% progesterone cream a 9 days ago on day 12 of my cycle and will take it through to day 26. I use a dab the size of a lentil as per my doctor's instructions. That probably amounts to about 10mg at the most.

I have been suffering severe insomnia ever since my child was born 2,5 yrs ago and find it has got even worse now since starting the cream.

I am assuming that it is because I am taking way to little?! All the German doctor's (where I live) suggest taking 10-30mg and starting slowly. I don't think I will get better with that amount having read what you suggest.

My question is: can I up the dosage today in the middle of my first cycle of taking the cream? How much should I continue with?

I also have adrenal fatigue and will be starting with 5-HTP as soon as it arrives here. Just for your information.

My worst symptom by far is the insomnia.

Thank you for your help. So glad you post to Germany!

Comments for Insomnia and dosage to low?

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Apr 02, 2012
 Addition
by: Mrs Green

I forgot to mention that I am 39 and have Hashimoto which is not being treated as my values are within range.

Thank you
Mrs Green
Apr 04, 2012
 Insomnia and dosage to low?
by: Wray

Hi Mrs Green Thanks for giving me the test results, although I don't agree with the ratio you've been given. Dividing the progesterone by the oestradiol 20.5:1 is reached, which I do agree is far too low. We've found from Saliva Tests we run that it's best if it's 600:1 and over to feel well. All symptoms would have got worse using 10mg/day! At least German doctors know about progesterone, but always, always the amount suggested is far too low. Progesterone does help sleep, see here, here and here. It drops sharply after giving birth, so I'm surprised insomnia is your only problem. I've always found starting slowly or on a low amount is the worse thing we can do. It's essential to make progesterone dominant as fast as possible. This can only be achieved with large amounts, ie 100-200mg/day or more. Yes you can up it now, but please watch for those Oestrogen Dominance symptoms. If they do occur, please increase the amount. I feel you'll probably need the 200mg/day if not more. For encouragement you might like to read these comments here, and on very high amounts here. I've found progesterone also helps adrenal fatigue, I sometimes wonder if low progesterone doesn't cause it. I've found no studies unfortunately. The adrenals first secrete progesterone, before converting it to cortisol. If stressed they rob other sources, notably the ovaries, this upsets the reproductive cycle. In fact stress can stop ovulation, if ovulation doesn't take place, no progesterone is made. So a vicious cycle starts. Progesterone is extremely calming, as it activates the GABA receptor sites, GABA is a calming neurotransmitter. So progesterone can lessen the stress response, but if low it can't, so the stress, including adrenal stress, becomes worse. Continued below.
Apr 04, 2012
 Insomnia and dosage to low? Part 2
by: Wray

Hi Mrs Green Please have a vitamin D test done, it's low in most of us and the further north or south of the equator we live, the lower the level. It's vital for the normal functioning of every cell, including the thyroid, see here, here and here. For more info on vitamin D levels, test kits etc see the Vitamin D Council, GrassrootsHealth, Birmingham Hospital and Vitamin D Links websites. Blood levels should be 70-100ng/ml or 175-250nmol/L and not the 30ng/ml or 75nmol/L most labs and doctors regard as adequate. The minimum daily dose should be 5000iu's per day, although the latest research indicates it should be 10,000iu's per day, see here. Take care Wray
Apr 10, 2012
 Insomnia/ more questions
by: Anonymous

Dear Wray,

Thank you ever so much.

I only have little time but some urgent questions and points to make.

I do take high dosage Vitamin D, thank you for the information.

Also the information about dosage. I really do only suffer from insomnia, is it common to only have one syptom?

My saliva test was on day 19 of my 26-27 day cycle, as I mentioned, was that the right day? Or should I check the values again. I mean to ask: is one saliva test, which was done last summer, sufficient to prove a lack of progesterone that needs treating?

The cream I was given has paraben in it.... Should I finish it up or better change immediately? The thing is, I have to start again in 9 days and don't think anyone can deliver a natural cream that fast (to Germany). Will the paraben cause to much interference?

I will be taking 150 mg as of next day 12. My cycle is 26 days at them moment.

Finally, will taking progesterone cream weaken my adrenals (I have adrenal fatigue)? Have you seen cases when women with a.f. use progesterone first and their adrenals got better?

Thank you very much!
Apr 12, 2012
 Insomnia/ more questions
by: Wray

Hi Mrs Green I'm pleased you're taking a high vitamin D dose, but please get your levels checked. It does drop with season, and with any stress. I'm happy for you your only symptom is insomnia, so many women have a multitude! Day 19 was correct, seems German doctors understand the cycle! The one test is fine, it's evident you have a symptom which needs correcting. I tend to use symptoms as a guide, a test is of interest. It seems a pity to waste the cream you have. Many don't believe there's a problem with the parabens, although it does seem the higher ones have a mild oestrogenic action, not enough to worry about, but it would be better to change to one without. There's no point in overburdening the body with foreign chemicals! You can get one to you fast, it'll come from the UK. Please send Julienne an email from her website here. And no using progesterone will not weaken your adrenals, please read the info I gave above. I would be interested to hear how the higher amount helps you. Take

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