I'm wondering if I need to increase my hrt dosage.

Hi Carolina, I'm using my returning perimenopausal symptoms as my guide. Since this are prescription only drugs I couldn't increase it without my doctor's consent. I'm just wondering if others are taking this increased level.

Hi Anna, I closely monitor my symptoms to make sure I need an increase, because I really don't like taking hrt at all. I know from experience that too much of any medication can be as bad (or worse) than too little. I'm wondering what dosage is typical in women whose natural levels continue to decline over time, as mine seem to be doing. Thanks for responding!

When I got diagnosed as perimenopause and having a zero count of estrogen I waited 3 months before making the decision to try Hrt. As my hormone levels could not possibly get any lower,I thought taking the lowest dosage of 1mg combined progestogen and estrogen. I wrongly assumed as my pre med symptoms had returned I asked my gp to increase this to the highest dose of my particular Hrt 2 mg. I now realise that I needed to give my body at least a year to adjust to having hormones again! But as I say this is just my experience and now that I'm back to 1mg things have settled down well. My biggest complaint now is the huge weight gain due to the steroid content of manufactured synthetic hormones ??

Wow, I can't imagine what having zero estrogen must have been like! I'm sure it was quite a shock for your body to once again have it. When I started hrt in January, I was still having regular periods, so I know I still had some estrogen. Recently, my periods have changed and become so light it's only necessary for me to wear a pantyliner. This is an indication of lower estrogen that I've never had before. In addition, the flu-like joint aches and pains, brain fog, restless leg syndrome, depression, anxiety and fatigue - all of which had almost disappeared, have returned. I also have an underactive thyroid which I take medication for. I was doing so wel[, but I guess the amount of estrogen that my body was still producing has dropped off, so that the amount I need to supplement has increased. I know that dosages have to be adjusted sometimes. Hrt made me feel like my old self after 7 years of misery, so I'm more than willing to work with the dosage to find what's right for me, I haven't had trouble with the weight gain on hrt. Maybe it's because it's the bioidentical version. Have you considered trying the bioidentical? Thanks for responding! 

I'd have to look it up as had hysterectomy last year

I've looked it up it is very expensive at 85 to 95 pounds a dose

Hi dominique, I didn't specify, but I am on the bioidentical hormone replacement. My mom took synthetic hrt for a while, she stopped takng it, had breast cancer, a mastectomy, then died about 6 years ago, so I really didn't want the synthetics. I started the bhrt this past january and  I noticed positive results almost immediately. I've had to have the dose increased once, and then everything was great for several months. Recently I've noticed many of my old symptoms coming back, and my periods have become just spotting for 3-4 days. I'm thinking my estrogen just nose-dived and I need more. I'm curious about the average dosage most women seem to max out at. 

Im sorry to hear about ur mum. Cancer is so prevalent these days its so scary.

Just out of interest did ur doc test ur thyroid? Mine is underactive. Im taking Armour a dessicated thyroid med (natural).

Hi Dominique, My Dr. hasn't tested my hormones. From what I've read online, your hormones are so unstable that your readings can change by the hour. So, I basically investigated online for years before exhausting over the counter remedies, supplements, and lifestyle changes, (was off sugar and simple carbs for 4 years, was exercising, weight lifting, etc.) So, after about 7 years of trying to fix myself I gave in to bhrt. I went to my dr, told him my story and my research, and what I wanted . Bhrt is the only thing that's helped. But, yes, I am being treated for an under active thyroid which my Dr. checks regularly.

Hi Dominique, I sent you a rather lengthy reply yesterday and it's being "moderated" ?? I researched it, and since I wasn't advertising or providing links I guess I had too many dots, dashes and skipped spaces and the software interpreted it as a link? Hopefully, it will get posted soon!

Dom 😊