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[Gnatty]

Hopefully a quick question someone can answer - if I am getting blood tests for hormone levels in the morning is it best to not apply my oestrogel and testim before the blood tests because they might skew the results? So apply instead when I get back from the surgery?

[Floo36]

Some menopause specialist do say to not apply before blood tests but I guess it’s up to you and also depends why you are having it tested?

[CLKD]

U should have been told B4 the appt for testing was booked.  Also, hormonal blood tests are reliably unreliable  and should be taken at a certain time of day as well as during the month.  Unless it's for thyroid function?

[Wrensong]

Hi Gnatty, I'm not an Estrogel user but if you apply it (or Testim) to your arms I would not apply that day's dose before blood is drawn, or at least not to whichever arm you intend them to use.  Just my personal reasoning in case no-one else sees your post in time. Hopefully some Estrogel users will be along to advise though.  I'm assuming you mean you're having bloods done for oestradiol & testosterone.
Wx

[Gnatty]

Yes exactly that oestrogen and testosterone. I don't have any ovaries so we just want to get a benchmark figure to see if I am taking enough oestrogen for future protection of bones and heart etc. And the testosterone in case I need more. Thank you.

[Wrensong]

Was just thinking that blood drawn from the area where you may have recently applied either hormone might give unrepresentative results for systemic levels.  Wearing a gradual release patch on my derriere & applying Testogel to thighs it's less of a consideration for me.  My endocrinologist does like thyroid function tests carried out before that day's meds though. 

I've had oophorectomies too & am struggling to get HRT sorted.  How are you doing?  You don't mention progesterone, can I ask have you had hysterectomy?

[CLKD]

Sometimes a small piece of ovary is left behind which can be stimulated occasionally. 

[Gnatty]

Hi Wrensong, yes had hysterectomy and ovaries out June 15th. That date is etched in my memory. So I don't need progesterone. I went through hell at about 4 weeks post op despite already being on oestrogel and small dose of testosterone. So what helped - increased oestrogel and testosterone but the thing that really saved me anxietywise was an antidepressant, started with Sertraline made me worse, god so much worse. Then switched to Mirtazapine, it was like night and day. I don't doubt that hormones played a massive part, I imagine I had some sort of hormone crash. But I needed help fast and the mirtazapine did that for me. I would expect to try without it maybe in the Spring. Message me if you like x

[Wrensong]

Ooh Gnatty, sorry to hear about the crash post-op, but if you were not postmenopause before BSO I'm sure you know that's more or less par for the course.   Such a shock to the system.  So glad to know you're feeling so much better now though.  I was lucky that my op was not necessary until a few years postmenopause but it has still had adverse consequences in terms of worsening menopause symptoms & bringing some new ones.  It was a few years ago now, but as I still have uterus intact, prog intolerance & thyroid issues I'm finding it hard to get meds balanced.  Hope your blood results are helpful.  Thanks for the suggestion to message you.  I may well do that.
Wx

[Gnatty]

I guess that's one good thing about having the uterus removed - at least progesterone is no longer needed! I think re my op I thought I wouldn't have a hormone crash as I was already on HRT. With hindsight I wish I had known better as yes was still having periods....