Hormones as a cause?

[Lrac10]

Just curious how many of you have spoken to your doctors about hormone levels and/or had them tested.  It seems there is a common thread that many flare ups tend to coincide with our cycles or pregnancy, and many of the symptoms (joint pain, anxiety, fatigue) are indicative of hormonal imbalance. I know I have noticed a definite irregularity in my cycles since this began, where I was very regular before.
Maybe I am just stating the obvious and revealing my ignorance, but why are hormone levels not tested, and why is hormone regulation therapy not considered as a treatment option? I've read several articles that listed delayed skin healing, fatigue, infections, etc. as related to low estrogen levels.

[ruostentatious]

I've had my levels tested, and they've been ruled out as an "immediate cause"... Mostly because I still have had flare ups while not on any birth control.

[Lrac10]

So based on your history with IUD and pills, clearly your flare ups are related to your hormone levels?  I understand that hormonal birth control caused flare ups, but since you have continued to experience  flare ups even in the absence of HBC, I'm curious if your baseline hormone levels have been considered, even in absence of HBC?

I am not on any form of HBC, but I am just curious whether hormone imbalance is ever considered as a cause. Thanks for any input.

[ljehane]

I have been suspecting hormones in my case for awhile now. It seems I have a flare-up after ovulation each month. Seems pretty consistent to me. My docs have not made any suggestion for treatment based on this. I guess they see it as speculation. I would like them to take it more seriously, so I will at least try to get some hormone testing done to look for an imbalance perhaps. Thanks for bringing this up.
Laura

[ruostentatious]

I have had many discussions/theories with my doctor about hormone levels; mostly in the case of birth control. Unlike a lot of people, I had never been pregnant when I was first diagnosed, I had however had a Mirena IUD for a couple years, and prior to that Depo and the pill.

Long story short; while having GM, I had my IUD removed and had a child. Afterwards, I had an IUD inserted again, and within 2 weeks had my GM flaring up. I immediately had my doctor remove it, and they wrote me a script for a low hormone pill, my GM continued to flare up. I quit taking the pill and it calmed back down. Conclusion; at least in my case, I know that hormonal birth control flares my GM; and if it comes down to having a gaping open hole in my breast or using a condom, I'll use a condom and plan b, if need be.

I should add, that since I have had ZERO form of birth control in over 3 years now, my GM has flared up on its own. So the hormones aren't a clear cut cause...