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[Kaz210909]

Hi all,

So as I'm under 45 my doc insisted on 2 lots of blood tests 6 weeks apart before any treatment.
First results were borderline, apparently second lot are normal, despite me having awful sleep, night sweats, hot flushes, bleeding gums, low sex drive and changes to my menstrual cycle.

The receptionist who gave me the results said that the test was normal and was that OK. I said no in that case I need another appointment with the doc as my symptoms are still present.

So I have an appointment next week. Any advice on what I should be asking or what they should be doing? They've already done a whole battery of other blood tests with the first menopause screen. At the first appointment the doctor said if I was over 45 they would have just treated based on symptoms.

I need this sorted as the lack of sleep is causing me major problems.

Thanks in advance

[Flossieteacake]

I have heard blood tests are unreliable in peri as hormones change throughout the day. I thought blood tests were sometimes done just to rule out other things.

If it were me I would explain you have meno symptoms that are making life unbearable and as hormones fluctuate blood tests are not accurate. Perhaps you could also ask for a referral to a menopause clinic.

I am sorry it is so tough for you to get them to listen. It is so frustrating.

[Gilla999]

It makes me so angry to hear stuff like this.

It doesn't have to be that your Estrogen is at clinically post meno levels (which is I assume what they are grading against) in order to be suffering from low Estrogen symptoms. As your Estrogen often surges in early perimenopause it can simply be the climb down from high even just to normal, which causes side effects, esepcially for those of us who are very sensitive to drops in Estrogen. There is a huge amount of published evidence on this and if you went to any menopause consultant (private or NHS) they would go on your symptoms and not on a blood test result. My NHS menopause specialist (referred by my GP) was quite clear on that and it's just ignorance on the part of your GP.

I would really try to fight your case with your GP as much as possible - tell them that your Estrogen level doesn't have to be at clinical post meno levels for you to be suffering, and persist in asking for a HRT trial to see if it helps. If they really won't budge then ask to be referred to a private meno consultant. In the end I had to pay to see a private specialist in the beginning, but it was worth every penny. Good luck xx