Perimenopause-wide fluctuations in estradiol?

Posted , 4 users are following.

I had my hormones tested in April 2015 to see if I'm close to menopause.

Blood was drawn the fifth day of my period.

The estradiol was 18.3 pg/ml

The FSH was 9.4 miu/ml

Then I read the best time to test was the third day of your period.

So I did another test last week.

My estradiol was 159 pg/ml

My FSH was 6.6 miu/ml

I was shocked to see such a high number for estradiol. I do not take any hormones or peri supplements. My doctor said it's normal for hormones to vary during perimenopause.

Anyone else see this happening with their hormones?

0 likes, 11 replies

11 Replies

  • Posted

    Hello there

    I've read that during peri hormones can vary wildly on a daily basis, which is why doctors so often struggle to identify it as the problem that is causing so many of us to feel awful. I'm 45 and am convinced that my hormones have been intermittently out of whack for the past 3 years at least.  I've had 3 blood tests during this time with different results each time, but nothing that can definitely confirm that it's peri causing the problems.  I'm not anaemic and my thyroid is fine though, so that's good to know. Having read through this (reassuring) site with so many others experiencing all these crazy symptoms, I'm convinced its fluctuating hormones are at the bottom of everything. Sometimes I really wish the next blood test would show FSH through the roof and estrogen on the floor, at least that would be definitve!

    • Posted

      I am 55, obviously very late to the perimenopause crowd. I just starting having symptoms like night sweats, anxiety, irregular periods, painful breasts before my cycle and insomnia around 5 or so months ago. These wide swings in hormones can't be helping the situation, or like you said, they are probably to blame.
    • Posted

      You seem to have stll plenty of oestrogen but lack in progesterone.
  • Posted

    My hormones are high and i have been having a lot of symptoms my obgyn wants me to try 1mg of estradiol and 2.5mg of provera to help balance things off. Estrogen should not be taken alone with out progesterone 

    I have been having paplpitations anxieties, and at times trouble sleeping 

    I am on Trazodone, Neurontin and Ativan for anxieties and depression

    My moods have been a roller coaster up and down up and down i just feel not myself at times

  • Posted

    Estradiol fluctutes because you still have periods. You're okay and can get pregnant.

    "Normal estrogen levels

    The range of normal varies widely depending on a person's age. For those between 20-29, the average is 149 pg/ml and will increase to 210 pg/ml for females 30-39. The level falls back to 152 pg/ml for women over 40 who are not yet in menopause. These levels are generalizations as the exact level varies on a daily basis and is closely tied to the various phases of the menstrual cycle."  this is from a health guide.

    • Posted

      I'm just taking the estradiol for menopause symptoms and provera have not had trouble with it 1mg of estradiol and 2.5mg of provera its calming my moods down its a lot better than the 50mg of natural progesterone that i took now that is a birth control form you only need a little bit of progesterone and a little bit of estrogen to help with menopause. I don't understand why some ladies are on 200mg or more of progesterone pills while in menopause because my OBGYN said that is a birth control version that will make your periods start if you catch my drift. I have not had the fast heart rate or anxieties on the estradiol or the provera it seems like its calming me down a lot plus with my ativan, my trazodone and my neurontin i feel a lot calmer I'm going to keep to it until my doctor decides to take me off 
    • Posted

      Hi Susan, I see you've been going through a lot and if you feel fine with what you're taking there's nothing for me to say. In general any artificial progestin is to avoid. The reason why some ladies take 200mg of progesterone is because it's supposed to be balancing the effects of oestrogen and also because only 20 % of it actually reaches the hormonal receptors in the body.  Take care.
    • Posted

      I will. I heard all progesterone pills have the same effects not just the synthetic ones. They are all HRTs and can cause the same side effects like heart attacks, strokes, also it depends on the person too. Even the natural progesterone pill that ladies take the 200mg or more can cause the same side effects as the artificial ones. We just have to find what is right with us 

      We need to stay active, not smoke, drink or do drugs and keep your blood pressure down than you are okay. 

      I don't smoke, or drink or do drugs and i try to walk everyday and stay active the best I can 

       

    • Posted

      On that I'll have to disagree with you. I can tell you that I've read hundreds of studies and articles on the topic of progesterone. The natural molecule is, in so far, not had major negative effects. The artificial one yes: it's carcinogenic in propense individuals. Many doctors don't know this because the majority of the studies were made on the artificial progesterone - not on the natural one that the pharma. industry isn't interested in promoting.

      The cardiovascular effects you describe are related with oestrogen HRT not with progesterone.

      As long your closely surveilled you'll be okay. The most important thing now it you get well and stable. Later you can think about better options.

      Your breast health must be well monitored because that's where the artificial progesterone can cause harm.

      But as long as know all this you'll be okay.

      Take care and take good care of yourself, pamper, enjoy have fun..

      T.

    • Posted

      Well the estrogen and progesterone take away the palpitations that i have been having in menopause has it taken your palpitations away 
    • Posted

      I've got a load of other conditions going on namely fibromyalgia and CFS but fortunately i don't have any palpitations. I do feel that the progesterone I take for 10-12 days a month only are calming so that's what you feel too I guess. smile

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