Cause of low LH and FSH in 27 y/o female?

[tiredoffeelingtired]

Hi everyone,

I have had 2 blood tests done and both came back with low LH and FSH results. My most recent LH result came back at 12 (range 14-96) and my FSH came back at 5 (range 5-22). I also have low levels of estradiol 386 (range 315-1828) and progesterone 4 (range 2.4-9.4), but high levels of testosterone 1.9 (female <2) and DHEAS 8.7 (range 2.68-9.23).

My TSH was at 3.97 (range 0.35-5), FT4 18 (range 12-22) and FT3 4.7 (range 2.6-5.7). I am a 27 year old female who has never been on birth control. I have the following symptoms of hair loss/thinning, fatigue, low body temperature, anxiety, etc. Does the cause of my low LH and FSH have to be pituitary related?

I can see that my TSH is quite elevated (hypothyroid), yet my Free T's are up in the 80% range?

Also, are my estrogen and progesterone levels so low because of my low LH and FSH? I am not overweight, but my fasting blood glucose is at 5.6 (range 3.6-6).

I would appreciate any insight any of you may have on this.

Thanks in advance!

[rumpled]

The TSH range now is .3 to 3.0 so your TSH is off.

I have another person on here that struggles with the normal range vs where you should be.  I used to walk out of many an appt very angry and wanting to kick things (or people).

I am not great with FSH and LH. I know mine are in the toilet but I am panhypopit. But I also had a hyst too - and I had a lot of gyne issues.

[tiredoffeelingtired]

Hi,

So I just came back from an "endo" appointment at this walk-in clinic and it was a nightmare. The person I was speaking to wasn't even a real endo, let alone a good one. She basically just looked over my blood work and said everything was "normal"...instant red flag for me. I kept insisting that my symptoms that I have been experiencing for years beg to differ and that just because the test results fall into the "normal" lab ranges, does NOT mean they are optimal, which is what we are all striving for! She didn't even flinch at my TSH being at 3.97, let alone my rock bottom FSH and LH, saying that "those aren't that important and that there's nothing to do to fix them." Can you believe the audacity of that woman? I literally walked out right out of that appointment furious.

Are low FSH and LH levels usually caused by an underactive pituitary or could they be caused by something else? Thyroid? Other hormone deficiencies?

At this rate, I don't know how I'm going to find someone competent to resolve this issue with, let alone convince my GP to get an MRI done. I need someone who is on the same page as me - so frustrating!

[rumpled]

I would think you need an expert endo. There are regular endos who do diabetes and thyroid (hah) and neuro-endos who do pituitary and more complex cases but you have to have at least imaging or enough testing (not sure you have it but you can try) to get in to a pituitary center.

The naturopath can give you supplements and all - but if you have a pituitary issue, in the long run it will only fog the issue and not treat it at all. I did try too but it only delayed my treatment as well as increased, in my case, my symptoms.

Your GP has not tested the rest of your pituitary so it is still unknown what else is going on as well as no MRI has been ordered (that is a proper pituitary MRI). It is great to get copies of everything - always!

[tiredoffeelingtired]

Hi,

I have gotten copies of all my test results, including the ultrasounds. My GP doesn't seem to be concerned at all about the low LH and FSH levels the first time around and sent me for a second round of testing and they still came back very low. I asked her to refer me to an endo, but she wasn't having it. Do you think a naturopath who is experienced with endocrine disorders would be a good way to go?

[rumpled]

Looking at a chart (not a doc), the levels should be higher - so is the doc concerned? LH and FSH should be peaking at day 15 if you are normal - but I also would say you need several sets of testing too to know what is going on with your body. I would go see an endo or ask to see one.

I cannot suggest supplements. I would leave that for a doctor - and in the case of going to see an endo, if you supplement before you will mess up any testing.

Do you get copies of all your testing?

[tiredoffeelingtired]

Hi Rumpled,

Thanks for your response.

The blood work was done on the 15th day of my cycle and the range provided was for the ovulatory phase. Are my estrogen levels low because my LH and FSH are low? Would you suggest supplementing with a progesterone and estradiol cream?

I had an ultrasound done of my thyroid and pelvic area and two small benign cysts were found on my thyroid, although they said my thyroid is of a normal size. They also said that the ovarian sonographic characteristics are not typical of PCOS. I'm supposed to be getting an ultrasound of my adrenals this week too.

No antibody testing has been done yet and my GP has not yet (not sure if she will) refer to me an endo.

Thanks again.

[rumpled]

LH and FSH are pituitary hormones so in my layman read... I would say that in some way, it would have to be related. But they are on the lowish ends - not abnormal low and it depends where you are on the cycle - do you know where you were when the test was taken?

I would feel lousy with the TSH but my doc likes to keep my FT3 and FT4 on the upper ends of the ranges - where you are. I feel better there. Any antibody testing or ultrasound?