Hormones

What about having blood tests done to check your hormone levels?  Since my hysterectomy my doctor has never done any hormone level checks.  As a matter of fact she tells me there isn't any such test.....

[Mary 53]

There are saliva and blood tests as well as other types which I have not used. The preferred method amongst many doctors now is the blood test. I am sorry you are not getting much help. There is no perfect test, really, but blood seems to be the best at this point. And, you have to go by symptoms and symptom relief, too.... For me I have embraced the notion of "optimal dose" and not just the "good enough" dose of hormones. Took time and trial and error to get to this point, so I am happy to steer women to resources.

I am sorry, but time is very short for me right now, but I wanted to reply and tell you there is hope. Do you still have ovaries? Even if your ovaries were left intact, you might be needing hormonal help. Please read more posts on this page and you will start to get more information. You can check my posts by going to my profile and finding "all posts" ... not all are hormonally related, but most are! The book I recommended has been a life saver for me. I had to hunt and hunt to find someone to really hear me and my journey is not over as I am just starting to feel quite well after several years of hit or miss and not getting the correct amount of hormones, particularly Bioidentical Estradiol. You deserve to feel well. Not to sound arrogant, but many doctors just are not aware of all that hormones affect in us women ... Someday hopefully this will change for the better so our daughters don't have to spend forever looking for the answers and help they deserve.

Sorry... I am a bit passionate about all this.

Mary

[ASB531]

Thanks Mary for your response.  I don't feel like myself and have not for some time now.    No I do not have my ovaries.    I have read a lot of your posts and I appreciate being able to read all of that.  It's tough to tell a doctor what I need because I do not know myself !   My medication does help tremendously with the hot flashes and night sweats, without the meds my hot flashes and night sweats are just completely out of control.  Mood swings, not sleeping, sluggish feeling, etc are starting to get old !