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OT - - FSH/Menopause
I hope you don't mind me posting this question here (I also posted in the Menopause forum), but I know everyone here better and maybe you can help me with something. I am 45 years old and had a hysterectomy (uterus/cervix removed) 15 years ago. They left my ovaries, since I was fairly young and they were working appropriately. Recently, I began noticing some changes that led me to believe I might have entered perimenopause - - - occasional night sweats, always hot, emotional, etc. When my doctor was running some routine blood tests, I asked him to add the FSH test, just to see if I was entering this phase.
The results came back yesterday and the FSH was within normal range at 11.7. I was checking around online and a few places stated that if the FSH is over 10, it could be the beginning of perimenopause. I was hoping someone had information that would either confirm or deny this for me. I don't want to make excuses for my behaviors, but at the same time, I feel like something is definitely happening to me and I would feel better if it had to do with perimenopause and not just me going nutso.....
Anyone have any thoughts??? Thank you.
The results came back yesterday and the FSH was within normal range at 11.7. I was checking around online and a few places stated that if the FSH is over 10, it could be the beginning of perimenopause. I was hoping someone had information that would either confirm or deny this for me. I don't want to make excuses for my behaviors, but at the same time, I feel like something is definitely happening to me and I would feel better if it had to do with perimenopause and not just me going nutso.....
Anyone have any thoughts??? Thank you.
Ah ok I see! You situation is a little tricky. It really does sound like you could be approaching it...but it's so hard to tell and it's not like it happens overnight. I really wish I could help you out more!! I will see if my mom has anymore info on it. She will be over later today. I will let you know. Hang in there. Hopefully you will get some concrete answers soon!
Oh, maybe you mentioned it was just the uterus. My MIL had a full hysterectomy (due to cancer) so that's why I wondered about the estrogen.
Otherwise I don't have much knowledge in this department, sorry!
Otherwise I don't have much knowledge in this department, sorry!
I don't have to take any supplements, because they left my ovaries when they did the hysterectomy. I had also read that if you did have a hysterectomy, the FSH test can be taken at any time vs. day 3 of the cycle, because I don't really know when my cycle is...(unless I feel cranky).
It's hard to find anything concrete on the internet about this, as it seems like some doctors go by the symptoms and some go by the levels. Since I was close to 12, it seemed to indicate entering perimenopause, but I have now had 4 instances of crying in the past week. And I don't mean just tears in the corner of my eye, I mean the type of crying where they are flooding down my face - - very unusual for me. I make a wonderful b*tch when I am PMS's, but not a good cry baby, LOL. If anyone stumbles on anything online that would substantiate the FSH figures, please let me know.
Thank you!!!
It's hard to find anything concrete on the internet about this, as it seems like some doctors go by the symptoms and some go by the levels. Since I was close to 12, it seemed to indicate entering perimenopause, but I have now had 4 instances of crying in the past week. And I don't mean just tears in the corner of my eye, I mean the type of crying where they are flooding down my face - - very unusual for me. I make a wonderful b*tch when I am PMS's, but not a good cry baby, LOL. If anyone stumbles on anything online that would substantiate the FSH figures, please let me know.
Thank you!!!
Because of the hysterectomy it is possible you could begin menopause earlier. Do you have to take estrogen supplements?
My mom's number was 8.1. My mom said because yours is 11, you are most likely beginning it then. What day did you get your blood drawn though? My said they are suppose to do it on cycle day 3 for the most accurate result because the number can vary at anyother time and give you a false reading.
See, my mom doesn't get the sweats yet. I think they said she may have an estrogen problem right now. It's almost like her body is attacking itself or allergic to estrogen. How strange!!
Yea, do the full follow up then if they don't trust the numbers but if it wasn't done on day 3...see if they will do it again for ya. Exactly, you don't want to take anything just yet until you know for sure what's causing all of this. I hope you get answers soon!!!
My mom understands this stuff so much better obviously, that's why I asked her.
See, my mom doesn't get the sweats yet. I think they said she may have an estrogen problem right now. It's almost like her body is attacking itself or allergic to estrogen. How strange!!
Yea, do the full follow up then if they don't trust the numbers but if it wasn't done on day 3...see if they will do it again for ya. Exactly, you don't want to take anything just yet until you know for sure what's causing all of this. I hope you get answers soon!!!
My mom understands this stuff so much better obviously, that's why I asked her.
Hi Chantal - - I also get itchy skin, although I am terrible about using lotions, so that doesn't help much. I also will break out in a sweat from doing the smallest "chore" around the house. And don't get me going if I happen to be washing my granddaughter's bottles in hot water - - - - my whole neck will be soaked by the time I am done, just from having my hands in hot water. The biggest thing lately is I have been so emotional, and not the b*tchy PMS type, but crying. It has happened to me 3 times in the last week and I mean CRYING....I feel like I'm pregnant again, really. That's when I started to think it must be hormonal changes.
I called my regular OB/GYN a little while ago and asked about the FSH numbers. She said they usually don't rely on those, because there is such a range and you could be in perimenopause and still have normal numbers. They go off the symptoms and then treat those symptoms. She suggested I come in for a follow up FULL hormonal blood screen (instead of just the FSH) and they would go from there. I don't want to go on hormones, even bc pills - just yet. The symptoms are random right now - - I just want to know if this is what is causing my symptoms - you know what I mean?? It always helps to have an explanation instead of feeling like you are going crazy.
I called my regular OB/GYN a little while ago and asked about the FSH numbers. She said they usually don't rely on those, because there is such a range and you could be in perimenopause and still have normal numbers. They go off the symptoms and then treat those symptoms. She suggested I come in for a follow up FULL hormonal blood screen (instead of just the FSH) and they would go from there. I don't want to go on hormones, even bc pills - just yet. The symptoms are random right now - - I just want to know if this is what is causing my symptoms - you know what I mean?? It always helps to have an explanation instead of feeling like you are going crazy.
I'm not familiar with the numbers and all but my mom just turned 49 and thought she was going through the same thing. Her cycles were all screwed up and other things have been happening. But when they tested her...she wasn't even near menopause!! She was shocked. So she is clueless as to what is going on. I'm sure she is nearing it, but just not right now. maybe that is what's happening with you. Just not quite there yet....Sorry I couldn't help you more! I'm sure someone else can help you better.
I do have a question for ya....have you ever noticed that you would get itchy at all?? My mom gets the "itchies" all over her body and can't figure it out. Not even the docs know. But she has another friend who was approaching menopause and had these itchies as well. She was on anti-biotics and it went away for a little while and then came back. She cut out foods she thought she was allergic to and nothing worked. Thankfully it's been alomst 3 weeks since she has had it. She's been in and out the hospital because it's been so bad!! Just wondering if you had anything simliar.
I do have a question for ya....have you ever noticed that you would get itchy at all?? My mom gets the "itchies" all over her body and can't figure it out. Not even the docs know. But she has another friend who was approaching menopause and had these itchies as well. She was on anti-biotics and it went away for a little while and then came back. She cut out foods she thought she was allergic to and nothing worked. Thankfully it's been alomst 3 weeks since she has had it. She's been in and out the hospital because it's been so bad!! Just wondering if you had anything simliar.
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