Help with Bio identical Hormones

I have been taking bio identical hormones since January 2010. I take it in an estrogen form. My estrogen absorption is not doing very well. My level is now at 18. I have severe anxiety/depression/depersonalization. I went to my doctor yesterday and he said that my numbers for estrogen are low because I have so much anxiety/depression that my body is using up the estrogen where it shouldn't be. He said that if I got my anxiety/depression under control then my estorgen would go where it should. Has anyone ever heard of this? And he put me on Cymbalta 60 mg but I only took 30 mg last night as I was scared to try something new. Any comments/knowledge or suggestions? Does the lack of estrogen absorption make sense? Help please!

[peggy64]

Is estrogen the only hormone they put you on? usually they do the estrogen, DHEA, progesterone, and testosterone.

And usually it takes quite some time, and tweaking to get the formula right. It also takes time to "refill the tank" so to speak to get you back to "normal" levels.

Since you asked for suggestions, I would also like to add that you might want to check out St Johns wort ,along with GABA, Valerian Root, Hops. These help with the depression and other mood issues that go along with this. Personally, I prefer these over Rx antidepressants, but to each his own, as the saying goes.

Best to ya!

[peggy64]

One more thing, I think if your dr has it backwards. If you get your hormones under control, then that should help with the anxiety/depression. Not the other way around.

[sick and tired 47]

I agree with Peggy. I had anxiety, depression, insomnia, once I got my hormone levels in more normal range I felt SO much better.
Your dr  did actually test your hormones? My first dr just gave me prescription- premarin without checking any levels at all. It made me WORSE!! After getting my hormones checked I found I was estrogen dominant and she had given me MORE estrogen- that is why I was worse. I needed progesterone to balance the estrogen.
It does take some time for the bioidenticals to work, but within several weeks it should help. If not, ask  compounding pharmacist whom you trust for the BEST dr in the area to prescribe bioidentical hormones and make appt with them.
Good luck and god bless.

[SassyLassie]

Getting the hormones regulated will definitely help with the anxiety and depression, I know, I speak from experience.

From what you have written, I would say you are actually estrogen dominant. I would suggest using a good, bio-identical progesterone cream instead, usually, doing this, helps to straighten out all the hormones as Progesterone is the main hormone on which others build. So, if you use the Progesteorne Cream, this should also clear up the problems with the Estrogen. Getting tested for these hormones is hard at best, the one main test that I feel is accurate is the saliva test, it is more dependable than the blood test as that is usually one draw and only a picture of what is going on for that second. The saliva test is done thruoghout the day, it measures different levels at different times.

I would also recommend you add some good, food grade B vitamins, these are the "nerve" vitamins and great for peri-menopause or menopause.

Have you read the books by Dr Lee, I would highly recommend them if not. One is called "What you doctor may not tell you about peri-menopause" and the other "What your doctor may not tell you about menopause" They are outstanding and so easy to understand. He is the pioneer in bio-identical hormones and women's health.

Good luck and God bless. Don't give up, things WILL get better using natural methods just take a little longer, but, in the long run, they are sure worth it.