HI Annie! Hi Tempest! Thanks both for your supportive comments.
Annie, yes I've had spotty itchy scalp for ages and yes have lost a lot of hair 
I look at myself in mirror and can't figure out who the nearly bald person looking at me is! I used to have a wild mane of long glossy hair.. Just some strands (it feels that way anyway!) remain...
Tempest, I will up to 2 pumps but just can't bear the increased boobage!!! Any ideas if this settles down or would be countered with T? I feel pre-menstrual ALL the time - minus the weeping etc - just huge boob shelf that does nothing for my confidence running or exercise wise.. In fact the whole weight gain and tiredness (today so tired travelling on tube with smallish bag, could hardly drag myself up the escalator!)...
I have a thyroid thing too, mild antibodies and have got NOWHERE with all that - and am taking a small dose of natural dessicated thryoid but think I'm going to stop as all a bit much .. maybe better to straighten out the HRT...
I've read that really adding T, DHEA and maybe even a bit of micronised progesterone into the mix is the way t go.. I just want to feel ME again, the one that loved dancing, going out and being alive.. I just want to hibernate with my cats and not do anything anymore.. I've lost all confidence.. and I used to have a LOT...
THey don't call it THe Change for nothing...
sending hugs to all xx
Hi AbbyH
Sorry to hear about your continued problems.
You mention thyroid antibodies - how long has this been going on? My first thought on reading this and about your weight gain and fatigue is that thyroid deficiency is the most likely explanation and I would first get a proper referral for this. Maybe your dosage needs increasing? Could it be that the Hashimoto's has got worse since your hysterectomy and ovary removal? I really would sort this out before the T replacement as well as getting your oestrogen dose right. Oestrogen should not increase boob size to much greater than they were before although they tend to be denser ( especially if you were nearing menopause and they had shrunk) - but increasing fat does go on the boobs too.
Re fat round the middle (rather than hips and thighs) - this - apple rather than pear shape is not due to lack of testosterone but a relative dominance of Testosterone over oestrogen. It happens to women as we age because our oestrogen declines more drastically than our testosterone.
I would try to get your oestrogen to a decent level where your symptoms of flushes and sweats disappear and you gain a better sense of well being - perhaps you should ask for blood tests to check if you are absorbing it well? However your thyroid is a top priority too. No amount of female hormone replacement will make up for a malfunctioning thyroid.
Re DHEA - as far as I understand there is little consistent evidence on the effect of taking DHEA and as it is not regulated personally and the dosage needed ( for what?) has not been determined then I would steer clear. There have been some promising studies but I think it is early days. I have said before that just because it is a precursor does not mean that it will definitely be converted to T or O and which of these. If taking precursors to our hormones were all that is required then we could all just eat more cholesterol and that would do the job! Our hormones are governed by complex endocrine feedback control mechanisms and it is not as simple as taking a precursor. It may well be harmless in small doses if you are also taking oestrogen though - but I really don't know?
I would see if you can get a gynae appointment earlier but definitely keep that March appointment with Panay - but in the meantime I would increase your oestrogen (with doc approval) and get your thyroid sorted if you can.
Also T replacement - although off licence has long been recommended for women who have had hysterectomy and ovary removal - so you should be able to get this easily. I really would ask your GP to contact a specialist so that you can be prescribed some without having to wait. It is mentioned here ( scroll down):
http://www.menopausematters.co.uk/aftermeno.phpHope this helps and good luck with it all
Hurdity x
