Aa
Oestrogen levels ridiculously low
Hi,
My name is Kerry and I am 38 years of age. In 2006 I underwent a complete hysterectomy and also had my ovaries removed. The reason for this was suspected Adenoiosis.
From the age of around 18 I suffered terribly every month with severe period pain and mood swings. I wasn’t taken seriously by various GP’s until a few years ago when I was seen by a Gynaecologist at the Hospital. To cut a long storey very short he gave me a Hysterectomy and was convinced that this would sort my problems.
For the first year (if that) I was very very well but soon after that I gradually started to feel unwell. I started to get a dragging down feeling in my pelvic area and was getting lower back ache constantly. My bones in my hands, feet and wrists also started to ache constantly. It started a couple of years ago and I am now at the stage where It has become quite severe. I have been unable to work for nearly two years because of this. My GP insisted that the HRT I was taking was working properly for me and didn’t see the need to be referred back to my Gynaecologist/Consultant. However, some time after as my symptoms worsened I begged them to refer me back and luckily they did as I asked eventually! My Gynaecologist had previously put me on Tibolone which I believe is synthetic, a steroid. He said that it sounds as if it wasn’t doing its job properly and decided to try me on an implant. He gave me Oestradial 50mg and said he hoped this would sort my problems. There was no change at all for five weeks and then I got out of bed one morning and noticed a significant difference. The following morning when I got up all my symptoms had vanished! I was relieved and amazed at the same time. Unfortunately, this was to be short lived as all my symptoms came back within a fortnight!
I made an appointment to go back to see my Gynaecologist and he couldn’t understand why this wasn’t working for me. He sent me away to get a blood test to see if that revealed anything. It did, he said that the test had shown that my Oestrogen levels were ridiculously low and for some reason the Oestrogen wasn’t staying in my system. I recall that he said that my liver must be in excellent condition because it was draining the Oestrogen straight out but to be honest I should have asked more questions about why this was happening but didn’t think at the time. I just don’t understand any of it. He then gave me another Oestradial 50mg implant along with a Testosterone Implant because he said that some women needed both in their body for them to work properly. Again I was sent away with an appointment made for a few weeks to see if it had worked. Again, nothing has happened and im still in the same position. I have an appointment in three weeks time to see him again but I just don’t know what else there is for him to try. He did mention that I may have some bone density, skeletal problems now caused by lack of Oestrogen in my system and that he may have to send me to a specialist for further tests.
My symptoms are really awful and im unable to do pretty much anything. I cant stand for too long because my insides feel as if theyre going to drop out. It feels the same if Im sitting for too long or walking. Im only more comfortable when im lying down. My bones hurt all over now and it is really getting me down. I do realise that my insides aren’t actually going to fall out but that’s how it feels and it causes me awful lower back ache all the time. It was first thought that I may be experiencing a prolapse but I have been checked out for that and there is no sign of it whatsoever.
Although I think my Gynaecologist is brilliant man and is very understanding I know that he is now running out of suggestions to make me better and that’s why I am writing to you. I just wondered if maybe someone else could think what may be causing my symptoms.
He also told me to take Calcium/Vitamin D supplements and I have been doing now for a couple of weeks but there is no change at all.
If you have any suggestions at all I would be so grateful.
My email address is ***@****
Kindest regards
Kerry
My name is Kerry and I am 38 years of age. In 2006 I underwent a complete hysterectomy and also had my ovaries removed. The reason for this was suspected Adenoiosis.
From the age of around 18 I suffered terribly every month with severe period pain and mood swings. I wasn’t taken seriously by various GP’s until a few years ago when I was seen by a Gynaecologist at the Hospital. To cut a long storey very short he gave me a Hysterectomy and was convinced that this would sort my problems.
For the first year (if that) I was very very well but soon after that I gradually started to feel unwell. I started to get a dragging down feeling in my pelvic area and was getting lower back ache constantly. My bones in my hands, feet and wrists also started to ache constantly. It started a couple of years ago and I am now at the stage where It has become quite severe. I have been unable to work for nearly two years because of this. My GP insisted that the HRT I was taking was working properly for me and didn’t see the need to be referred back to my Gynaecologist/Consultant. However, some time after as my symptoms worsened I begged them to refer me back and luckily they did as I asked eventually! My Gynaecologist had previously put me on Tibolone which I believe is synthetic, a steroid. He said that it sounds as if it wasn’t doing its job properly and decided to try me on an implant. He gave me Oestradial 50mg and said he hoped this would sort my problems. There was no change at all for five weeks and then I got out of bed one morning and noticed a significant difference. The following morning when I got up all my symptoms had vanished! I was relieved and amazed at the same time. Unfortunately, this was to be short lived as all my symptoms came back within a fortnight!
I made an appointment to go back to see my Gynaecologist and he couldn’t understand why this wasn’t working for me. He sent me away to get a blood test to see if that revealed anything. It did, he said that the test had shown that my Oestrogen levels were ridiculously low and for some reason the Oestrogen wasn’t staying in my system. I recall that he said that my liver must be in excellent condition because it was draining the Oestrogen straight out but to be honest I should have asked more questions about why this was happening but didn’t think at the time. I just don’t understand any of it. He then gave me another Oestradial 50mg implant along with a Testosterone Implant because he said that some women needed both in their body for them to work properly. Again I was sent away with an appointment made for a few weeks to see if it had worked. Again, nothing has happened and im still in the same position. I have an appointment in three weeks time to see him again but I just don’t know what else there is for him to try. He did mention that I may have some bone density, skeletal problems now caused by lack of Oestrogen in my system and that he may have to send me to a specialist for further tests.
My symptoms are really awful and im unable to do pretty much anything. I cant stand for too long because my insides feel as if theyre going to drop out. It feels the same if Im sitting for too long or walking. Im only more comfortable when im lying down. My bones hurt all over now and it is really getting me down. I do realise that my insides aren’t actually going to fall out but that’s how it feels and it causes me awful lower back ache all the time. It was first thought that I may be experiencing a prolapse but I have been checked out for that and there is no sign of it whatsoever.
Although I think my Gynaecologist is brilliant man and is very understanding I know that he is now running out of suggestions to make me better and that’s why I am writing to you. I just wondered if maybe someone else could think what may be causing my symptoms.
He also told me to take Calcium/Vitamin D supplements and I have been doing now for a couple of weeks but there is no change at all.
If you have any suggestions at all I would be so grateful.
My email address is ***@****
Kindest regards
Kerry
Hi again, you're a real inspiration! Im onto it as we speak. After your kind letter I made a docs appointment for this evening. Ive def stepped up another gear, believe me!
Im no longer in the asking mode, im going to be telling this time!!!!
Seriously though, thanks for all your help with this. I will keep you posted!
Kerry x
Im no longer in the asking mode, im going to be telling this time!!!!
Seriously though, thanks for all your help with this. I will keep you posted!
Kerry x
I understand what you mean and Im sure he is trying, you simply must do what is best for your health and its time for another opinion. If your insurance requires a referal ask the gyno or your reg dr it doesnt matter, they both should know good drs in the other fields, You have a legal right to a second opinion. If your insurance does not require a referal I believe the best way to find a good dr is word of mouth ask around neighboors, church members, people at kids school etc..
Honestly you need to do this its not about him or maybe hurting his feelings you have some issues that must be resolved. I wish you all the best. You can do this, dont stop until you get your answers, I always do "nice" first if that doesnt work you may as they say have to switch gears and be not so nice, but do what you must because nothing is more important than your health.
Honestly you need to do this its not about him or maybe hurting his feelings you have some issues that must be resolved. I wish you all the best. You can do this, dont stop until you get your answers, I always do "nice" first if that doesnt work you may as they say have to switch gears and be not so nice, but do what you must because nothing is more important than your health.
hiya, thanks so so much for that. im really at a loss now and I know my gynaecologist is so im def gona try down those routes. do you know, would he have to refer me to a different specialist as youve suggested or would i have to go back to my GP and explain and try to get him to refer me? I think youre right in that I need to see an expert in a different field, its getting pretty much trial and error with my current consultant. dont get me wrong, I dont blame him at all, he is trying for me but i think ive got to a stage where even im thinking ive got to try a different path.
thanks ever so for replying and for your advice. gona hit him with that when i see him in 2 weeks time!!! lol x
thanks ever so for replying and for your advice. gona hit him with that when i see him in 2 weeks time!!! lol x
I am so sorry you are suffering so. I had my hyster for the same reason as you andeomyosis. It is odd all the symptoms you are suffering. I read your post twice. I am going to tell you honestly what I would do if I where you.
Your gyno may be the nicest man, and thats great, I think there are two other specialists you need to see and I will tell you why. One you need to see an endocrinologist, they specialise in hormones too, and ovaries are considered to be part of the endocrine system as well as the reproductive system. ( I know you dont have any but an endo would give you a different perspective on hormones) Two somethings off with your bones and yes it would be my guess its related to lack of hormones You should have a bone density test , not by your gyno. You should see an ortho specialist. Perhaps a rheumatologist too. Getting the advice of experts the tops of each catagory in the body systems you have effected is your best bet at getting a speedy and accurate diagnosis.
I hope this helps,
Cherie
Your gyno may be the nicest man, and thats great, I think there are two other specialists you need to see and I will tell you why. One you need to see an endocrinologist, they specialise in hormones too, and ovaries are considered to be part of the endocrine system as well as the reproductive system. ( I know you dont have any but an endo would give you a different perspective on hormones) Two somethings off with your bones and yes it would be my guess its related to lack of hormones You should have a bone density test , not by your gyno. You should see an ortho specialist. Perhaps a rheumatologist too. Getting the advice of experts the tops of each catagory in the body systems you have effected is your best bet at getting a speedy and accurate diagnosis.
I hope this helps,
Cherie
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