Good morning lovely ladies. Question: Has anybody investigated or had urine/blood tests to ascertain what your hormone/cortisol/oestrogen etc. levels are? GP doesn't do this and I've had a quote privately but that was for £700!!!
Apparently there are tests you can get done to get a personalised plan including supplements and nutrition and/or drugs to help with the symptoms of the menopause. The NHS where I am simply will not entertain anything like this. I'm currently pre-menopausal (according to my GP - but she didn't even test or check my blood pressure - nothing!). I'm experiencing all the 'best' bits: night sweats, anxiety, mood swings, depression, fatigue irregular periods and insomnia. Thanks in advance for your advice/help xx
Hi Carla,
My Gp measured my Oestradiol levels and my Progesterone as a blood test. This is in my NHS practice where we have a menopause specialist Dr. So you should be entitled to blood test. I had my first one done when I was perimenopausal but have had further ones done now I am post menopausal.
If you want to go the route of having all your hormones measured you will either have to find a functional Dr who specialises in hormones, or functional nutritionists do this too. If you decide to go the latter route make sure they are on the BANT register they can do various test such as the Dutch Test (you can look up on line), which looks at all your hormones via a urine test. They then prescribe, supplements, correct food to eat etc.
Both those routes are costly, £700 would probably be only the initial outlay.
I would push your GP to do the blood test or refer you to a specialist centre, where they can see you.