I wanted to share my experience with the forum in the hope that it helps other ladies avoid the problems I've had.
I had endo surgery 8 years ago, in which my ovaries and womb were removed. It took 2 years to get over the surgery (sleeping issues, temperature regulation problems, the usual stuff) and, as expected, my oestrogen level dropped by over half from over 700pmol/l to 300pmol/l.
This level of 300pmol/l had been stable for 7 years post op, without HRT, so the adrenals must have been working pretty well because I no longer have ovaries, but I'd started getting some long term deficiency symptoms (eg osteopenia, muscle loss, dryness..) so 10 months ago, started HRT.
Since starting HRT, I've been trying and failing to get the balance right. I've gone from post menopausal to menopausal - withdrawal symptoms every day, no sleep, palpitations, temperature problems at night....So I got my levels tested again and got a review today.
So, result is that my once stable oestrogen level of 300pmol/l tested just prior to starting HRT has DROPPED to 140pmol/l with Oestrogel - it was supposed to increase the levels, but it looks like it's stopped my body producing it's own oestrogen.
The gynae didn't seem bothered that my levels were half of what they were prior to the Oestrogel. He didn't know why it happened and when I asked how common this was, said that he didn't know as they usually didn't test levels prior to giving HRT!
I'm going to move to oestrogen patches, see how I get on and then probably wean myself off HRT altogether and hope that I can recover.
Has anyone else had their levels tested before and after HRT and discovered something like this?