Hi tanya67
Sorry to hear about your symptoms. Firstly I agree I don't think HRT is ruled out even if a close relative has had the disease but as Maryjane says you can test for the gene which would indicate whether you are likely to be at risk (whether or not you take HRT). I am sure you have a right to know this in the circumstances so please ask for a referral from your doctor at least so that you can find out. Even if you don't have the gene I can understand why you might not want to risk HRT - but please only make this decision after consultation with a specialist if possilbe.
In terms of other measures to help minimise the severity of menopausal symptoms - losing weight (and improving your diet if necessary) is the single best thing you can do both to reduce your risk of cancer and other health conditions and help with menopause symptoms so this is what I would focus your efforts on if you can. Re thyroid - did you get an actual reading of the TSH test? Some women actually experience symptoms even when it's within the normal range - but you would probably know if it was a bit wonky as you would be feeling very tired ( fatigued) and also cold a lot of the time.
Failing that increasing exercise and reducing caffeine have all been shown to help with symptoms, and certain foods I understand may increase hot flushes.
Finally there are alternative remedies - the herbal ones are not proven, but relaxation therapies/meditation techniques can make you feel better generally and give you a more positive outlook which may also help.
There are prescribable treatments too which reduce hot flushes but you might not want to go down the route of anti-depressants. They are all listed here:
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/remedies.phphttp://www.menopausematters.co.uk/prescribed.phphttp://www.menopausematters.co.uk/diet.phpHope this helps!
Hurdity x
