salty
02-20-2009, 12:22 AM
Hi. I am desperately trying to figure out why my hair has been thinning for months. :(
I am hoping it may have something to do with a fibroid that I have (which will be removed next week), but I have had it for a long time and the hair loss started only months ago.
Has anyone experienced this?
Thank you,
Salty
I am hoping it may have something to do with a fibroid that I have (which will be removed next week), but I have had it for a long time and the hair loss started only months ago.
Has anyone experienced this?
Thank you,
Salty
Sponsor
angabeth
02-20-2009, 07:51 AM
Hello, one of the most common reasons for hair loss is iron deficiency anaemia. Make sure that your doctor checks your iron stores ( ferretin) as well as Hb. If your fibroid has caused heavy periods I am sure this is the cause. You may need iron tablets to get your stores back to normal. If not, ask to check on your thyroid function. Your hair will regrow if you correct anaemia or thyroid deficiency.
All the best with your surgery,
Regards, Angela
All the best with your surgery,
Regards, Angela
salty
02-21-2009, 04:30 PM
Angela, I am waiting for my blood test results that they take before surgery (I'm sure my ferretin will be included in that even though they are just basic tests, right?)
What is Hb? Will that be on general bloodwork?
The problem is I have been trying to get someone to read the results over the phone and my prim. care said he was busy with patients and would mail me the results. They probably won't arrive until after my surgery.
I am going to try my gyn. on Monday to see if someone there will read them to me.
I am so tired of this hair loss...it's really getting me down. Today it's really coming out. It's scary.
I have brand new iron tablets here that my father just got following an operation.
I know you aren't a dr., but I hope it won't hurt to take one. They are 125 mg., called vitron-c.
I'm going to take one/day until the operation (or until someone tells me I'm not low) and see what happens after that. I've just got to do something.
I will have my gyn. test my thyroid during my 2-week follow up appointment. It was fine in Oct., but I don't know now.
Thank you so much for writing back and for wishing me the best for surgery. I appreciate that.
Salty
What is Hb? Will that be on general bloodwork?
The problem is I have been trying to get someone to read the results over the phone and my prim. care said he was busy with patients and would mail me the results. They probably won't arrive until after my surgery.
I am going to try my gyn. on Monday to see if someone there will read them to me.
I am so tired of this hair loss...it's really getting me down. Today it's really coming out. It's scary.
I have brand new iron tablets here that my father just got following an operation.
I know you aren't a dr., but I hope it won't hurt to take one. They are 125 mg., called vitron-c.
I'm going to take one/day until the operation (or until someone tells me I'm not low) and see what happens after that. I've just got to do something.
I will have my gyn. test my thyroid during my 2-week follow up appointment. It was fine in Oct., but I don't know now.
Thank you so much for writing back and for wishing me the best for surgery. I appreciate that.
Salty
Audrey-B
02-22-2009, 05:37 PM
If you have a fribroid, then most likely your estrogen is also high, which is an environment that fibroids just love.
If you have high estrogen it can also be likely that your other hormones are out and you could possibly have high testosterone/low progesterone.
If the hair loss is solely due to low iron levels, it can take a while to build up your reserves, depending on how depleted they are and it also depends what your low iron is a symptom of.
I had low iron and later found out about my fibroid. My periods became much lighter after i took a herbal mix from a naturopath and it still didn't fix my low iron and i was on a high dose iron supplement. In the end i found out that i did have a thyroid problem all along, when back in 2000 i was told that i didn't.
Often when all your hormones are messed up, be they thyroid, adrenal or other hormones, hair will shed and until the hormone issue isn't corrected you will keep shedding.
The problem right now is finding out what precisely is causing the hair loss. Like the other poster said, checking for anemia/low iron is a good start. Most doctors wont include ferretin. A lot of times you need to ask for it. The same with the thyroid, they must check TSH, T4, T3 and Thyroid Antibodies. Most doctors only check TSH and this is how people go undiagnosed for years and years.
It's usually best to check your levels prior to self supplementing, but the dosage of the iron pills you mentioned is fine.
With the fibroid, if you do have estrogen excess, removing the fibroid wont fix the estrogen excess. it will help your periods, until the fibroid/s decide to grow back as they do love a high estrogen environment. Might be a good idea to find out where you are at with your hormones to prevent/minise future fibroid growth. I've left my firbroid for now and am working on my estrogen problem.
If you have high estrogen it can also be likely that your other hormones are out and you could possibly have high testosterone/low progesterone.
If the hair loss is solely due to low iron levels, it can take a while to build up your reserves, depending on how depleted they are and it also depends what your low iron is a symptom of.
I had low iron and later found out about my fibroid. My periods became much lighter after i took a herbal mix from a naturopath and it still didn't fix my low iron and i was on a high dose iron supplement. In the end i found out that i did have a thyroid problem all along, when back in 2000 i was told that i didn't.
Often when all your hormones are messed up, be they thyroid, adrenal or other hormones, hair will shed and until the hormone issue isn't corrected you will keep shedding.
The problem right now is finding out what precisely is causing the hair loss. Like the other poster said, checking for anemia/low iron is a good start. Most doctors wont include ferretin. A lot of times you need to ask for it. The same with the thyroid, they must check TSH, T4, T3 and Thyroid Antibodies. Most doctors only check TSH and this is how people go undiagnosed for years and years.
It's usually best to check your levels prior to self supplementing, but the dosage of the iron pills you mentioned is fine.
With the fibroid, if you do have estrogen excess, removing the fibroid wont fix the estrogen excess. it will help your periods, until the fibroid/s decide to grow back as they do love a high estrogen environment. Might be a good idea to find out where you are at with your hormones to prevent/minise future fibroid growth. I've left my firbroid for now and am working on my estrogen problem.
salty
02-22-2009, 05:54 PM
Audrey-B, I can't thank you enough for writing.
So i have this straight, when I go back to my gyn. after the operation, i should have my ferretin checked, my TSH, T4, T3 and thyroid antibodies and my testosterone and progesterone...right?
I need to write it down for him.
I know i had my TSH, T4, and T3 tested in October and they were fine, but I don't know about the rest and I don't know how they are right now.
The hair loss started around the time i started taking 50,000 iu vit.d. I was 35 on a scale from 1-100. I have read that people go on vit. d for hair loss so I don't know.
What are your doing to fix your estrogen level?
Thank you so much Audrey-B,
Salty
So i have this straight, when I go back to my gyn. after the operation, i should have my ferretin checked, my TSH, T4, T3 and thyroid antibodies and my testosterone and progesterone...right?
I need to write it down for him.
I know i had my TSH, T4, and T3 tested in October and they were fine, but I don't know about the rest and I don't know how they are right now.
The hair loss started around the time i started taking 50,000 iu vit.d. I was 35 on a scale from 1-100. I have read that people go on vit. d for hair loss so I don't know.
What are your doing to fix your estrogen level?
Thank you so much Audrey-B,
Salty
Audrey-B
02-24-2009, 05:09 PM
Yes, get your doctor to check all those things. The other problem i have encountered is that a lot of doctors tell you that you are fine if your lab results come back "within range", but you could still be suffering symptoms. That's like me with my Hashimoto's thyroid issues. I had the symptoms 8 years ago but due to falling "within range" i didn't get any help until last year.
Have you had your Vit D retested? If you are on supplements, your doctor should be retesting you to see whether you are absorbing well or hardly at all.
For my excess estrogen my doctor is trialling me on the supplement called Indolplex (DIM for short). I have to get retested soon. He thought just being on thyroid and adrenal medication might help sort my hormones out but it's not doing much for my estrogen at this stage.
It's a difficult process and you have to do so much of the detective work yourself, until you find a good doctor who knows what is what, what to test, how to interpret the lab results, how to relate your symptoms to your results. It's very hard to find someone that dedicated, but you have to keep looking and in the meantime do as much research on your own.
Hope all goes well :)
Have you had your Vit D retested? If you are on supplements, your doctor should be retesting you to see whether you are absorbing well or hardly at all.
For my excess estrogen my doctor is trialling me on the supplement called Indolplex (DIM for short). I have to get retested soon. He thought just being on thyroid and adrenal medication might help sort my hormones out but it's not doing much for my estrogen at this stage.
It's a difficult process and you have to do so much of the detective work yourself, until you find a good doctor who knows what is what, what to test, how to interpret the lab results, how to relate your symptoms to your results. It's very hard to find someone that dedicated, but you have to keep looking and in the meantime do as much research on your own.
Hope all goes well :)
Audrey-B
02-27-2009, 02:18 AM
Hi Salty - just thought i'd mention something i came across when i was doing more research into my excess estrogen. There was a symptoms listing on mild, moderate and severe symptoms if the estrogen is in excess for too long. The symptoms were so very similar to thyroid symptoms that i was amazed and it also listed "hair loss". This is why i don't think i will halt my hair shedding until my hormones are where they are supposed to be, not imblanced as they are now.
I saw my naturopath today and she said if we can get the estrogen lowered that the fibroid should not grow any bigger or would actually shrink. If the estrogen gets lowered then it would actually help my thyroid and adrenal situation too and in turn help with my monthly cycles as well as help my hair shedding.
With estrogen it depends where the dominance occurs. If it's in the uterus it can lead to uterine firbroids/tumors, heavy/ irregular periods, menstrual cramping, endometriosis, hyperplasia. Overstimulation of estrogen of the breast tissue can cause tenderness, swelling and fibrocystic breasts. If it occurs at the liver you are more likely to see weight gain, constipation, cyclical headaches/migraines, depression, mood swings, fluid retention and low libido to name the major symptoms.
So you see, it's kind of complex. If you visit your doctor and give them a few symptoms they will likely put you on some medication or other (like antidepressant or sleeping pills), or change your birth control pill prescription, yet the problem will still persist if it's a hormone imbalance. Actually BC pills are often a big culprit as they contain estrogen and if your estrogen is high they will only help raise it higher. Some of the new pills around now are estrogen only pills, which doesn't help matters. This is likely the reason so many people are noticing hair shedding these days, especially when coming off/on BC pills. Not to mention how metabolism of BC pills by your liver requires extra Complex B Vitamins, magnesium, Vit C and Zinc.
This is why anybody would think that the classis thyroid-like symptoms would relate to thyroid only, but the more i look into it and discuss it with my doctor the more it appears it can be other hormones, not just the thyroid which can cause the symptoms. There mightn't be a thyroid problem but if hormonal imbalance is left to get out of control, excess estrogen can cause thyroid and adrenal issues to arise as they all affect one another. It become rather like what came first, chicken or the egg.
I hope this gives you some food for thought. In the very least, the replies received so far should give you a range of possibilities for your symptoms, especially hair loss. I'm not sure whether you are on birth control pills or whether you have had your hormones checked out, but thought i'd add the information anyway. If you are going for any form of hormone testing then morning is the time to go, not lunch time or afternoon.
Best of luck :)
I saw my naturopath today and she said if we can get the estrogen lowered that the fibroid should not grow any bigger or would actually shrink. If the estrogen gets lowered then it would actually help my thyroid and adrenal situation too and in turn help with my monthly cycles as well as help my hair shedding.
With estrogen it depends where the dominance occurs. If it's in the uterus it can lead to uterine firbroids/tumors, heavy/ irregular periods, menstrual cramping, endometriosis, hyperplasia. Overstimulation of estrogen of the breast tissue can cause tenderness, swelling and fibrocystic breasts. If it occurs at the liver you are more likely to see weight gain, constipation, cyclical headaches/migraines, depression, mood swings, fluid retention and low libido to name the major symptoms.
So you see, it's kind of complex. If you visit your doctor and give them a few symptoms they will likely put you on some medication or other (like antidepressant or sleeping pills), or change your birth control pill prescription, yet the problem will still persist if it's a hormone imbalance. Actually BC pills are often a big culprit as they contain estrogen and if your estrogen is high they will only help raise it higher. Some of the new pills around now are estrogen only pills, which doesn't help matters. This is likely the reason so many people are noticing hair shedding these days, especially when coming off/on BC pills. Not to mention how metabolism of BC pills by your liver requires extra Complex B Vitamins, magnesium, Vit C and Zinc.
This is why anybody would think that the classis thyroid-like symptoms would relate to thyroid only, but the more i look into it and discuss it with my doctor the more it appears it can be other hormones, not just the thyroid which can cause the symptoms. There mightn't be a thyroid problem but if hormonal imbalance is left to get out of control, excess estrogen can cause thyroid and adrenal issues to arise as they all affect one another. It become rather like what came first, chicken or the egg.
I hope this gives you some food for thought. In the very least, the replies received so far should give you a range of possibilities for your symptoms, especially hair loss. I'm not sure whether you are on birth control pills or whether you have had your hormones checked out, but thought i'd add the information anyway. If you are going for any form of hormone testing then morning is the time to go, not lunch time or afternoon.
Best of luck :)
salty
03-02-2009, 12:10 AM
Audrey-B., I'm thankful for you...I know you are going to help me get this right.
I was operated on and my surgeon found the fibroid was intertwined with my intestines and my colon and resting on my bladder. He said it was a mess.
He also found a cyst in my fallopian tube that we didn't know was there.
I kept telling him before the operation and afterwards about my hair loss...it's getting much worse, Audrey-B.
He said we will check my hormones and the vit.d level and I said I would also like my ferretin checked and thyroid tests run again.
I said my estrogen may be high because otherwise i wouldn't have had that fibroid...he said my hair loss could be from stress...(i knew that but i don't think that's it).
Then he said if all tests are okay i will have to see a dermatologist. This didn't make me feel any better because I think he should be able to figure it out and stick w/me until he does. My emotions are all over the place...i am crying as i type this...
i would think i would then go to a hair dr. (trichologist) instead of a derm. Do you agree?
I thank you for the added information. This hair loss is really scaring me. My hg was on my bloodwork and it was fine, but you were right, the ferretin wasn't on there. I'm not taking the iron so that i can get an accurate reading.
He said we have to wait to do the hormone tests on the 3rd day of my period (whenever that comes).
I see him in 2 weeks, but have a 6 week recovery.
I'm afraid that things will be within the normal range and then where do i go from there?
I also stopped the vit. d and cut back to 2,000 mg per day. 21 weeks was enough.
Please stay with me through this.
I can't thank you enough.
I will write again soon. The nausea is bad from the pain pills and the pain is much worse than i expected.
I had to get on the boards to see your reply.
I hope both of us can get straightened out and the hair loss will stop.
Hugs,
Salty
I was operated on and my surgeon found the fibroid was intertwined with my intestines and my colon and resting on my bladder. He said it was a mess.
He also found a cyst in my fallopian tube that we didn't know was there.
I kept telling him before the operation and afterwards about my hair loss...it's getting much worse, Audrey-B.
He said we will check my hormones and the vit.d level and I said I would also like my ferretin checked and thyroid tests run again.
I said my estrogen may be high because otherwise i wouldn't have had that fibroid...he said my hair loss could be from stress...(i knew that but i don't think that's it).
Then he said if all tests are okay i will have to see a dermatologist. This didn't make me feel any better because I think he should be able to figure it out and stick w/me until he does. My emotions are all over the place...i am crying as i type this...
i would think i would then go to a hair dr. (trichologist) instead of a derm. Do you agree?
I thank you for the added information. This hair loss is really scaring me. My hg was on my bloodwork and it was fine, but you were right, the ferretin wasn't on there. I'm not taking the iron so that i can get an accurate reading.
He said we have to wait to do the hormone tests on the 3rd day of my period (whenever that comes).
I see him in 2 weeks, but have a 6 week recovery.
I'm afraid that things will be within the normal range and then where do i go from there?
I also stopped the vit. d and cut back to 2,000 mg per day. 21 weeks was enough.
Please stay with me through this.
I can't thank you enough.
I will write again soon. The nausea is bad from the pain pills and the pain is much worse than i expected.
I had to get on the boards to see your reply.
I hope both of us can get straightened out and the hair loss will stop.
Hugs,
Salty
Audrey-B
03-02-2009, 05:45 PM
Hi Salty - sorry to hear you are so upset, but times like this will pop up from time to time. It's good to have a bit of a cry as it releases your anxieties, just dont dwell or let depression set in as that isn't healthy and wont help matters and your doctor will be saying it's all from depression. Doctors are so great at picking an easy target an running with it. I too kept being told my hair loss was due to stress. I even went to see a Dermatologist and she said it was stress, not to worry, it would stop. A word of caution with Derm's, they are not ALL qualified in dealing with hair loss, only some are, so be careful who you see, if you go to see one.
I know mine is definitely hormone related, either my thyroid or excess estrogen. all other avenues have been exhausted. Hormones are most difficult to settle and you do need a good doctor to work through it with you.
You definitely need to get your ferritin checked as well as your Vit D retested. For some people Vit D climbs slowly. Any chance you can go see another doctor if this one becomes unco-operative? Don't waste years with a doctor who doesn't take you seriously. Only you know when something is not right with your body and you should trust your instincts. As i've said before, it took me 8 years to get to the bottom of all the issues i was suffering with and 8 years is way too long.
If your doctor refuses to work with you, i'd be visiting a Trichologist as at least they will order ferritin testing and any other testing connected to hair loss.
My other question would be, are you on birth control? Birth control depletes your B-complex, Vit C, magnesium and zinc. Being low in these nutrients can cause symptoms of their own. You need to be careful of BCpills as some of them are estrogen only and if you already have excess estrogen this will only compound the problem.
You also need to start chanelling your energies into doing some online research. Being armed with information on these things is what you will need when seeing your doctor. Don't let your doctor push you around either and force you into seeing it his way. If need be, you are better off finding someone better who is further away. I travel one and a half hours to see my doctor. It takes up my entire day and i have to miss a day off work, but it's worth it. At least i know he wants to help and isn't lying to me.
You take care and i hope you have a speedy recovery from your surgery. Hopefully your doctor will be willing to run the relevant tests.
Hugs to you too. things will get better :)
I know mine is definitely hormone related, either my thyroid or excess estrogen. all other avenues have been exhausted. Hormones are most difficult to settle and you do need a good doctor to work through it with you.
You definitely need to get your ferritin checked as well as your Vit D retested. For some people Vit D climbs slowly. Any chance you can go see another doctor if this one becomes unco-operative? Don't waste years with a doctor who doesn't take you seriously. Only you know when something is not right with your body and you should trust your instincts. As i've said before, it took me 8 years to get to the bottom of all the issues i was suffering with and 8 years is way too long.
If your doctor refuses to work with you, i'd be visiting a Trichologist as at least they will order ferritin testing and any other testing connected to hair loss.
My other question would be, are you on birth control? Birth control depletes your B-complex, Vit C, magnesium and zinc. Being low in these nutrients can cause symptoms of their own. You need to be careful of BCpills as some of them are estrogen only and if you already have excess estrogen this will only compound the problem.
You also need to start chanelling your energies into doing some online research. Being armed with information on these things is what you will need when seeing your doctor. Don't let your doctor push you around either and force you into seeing it his way. If need be, you are better off finding someone better who is further away. I travel one and a half hours to see my doctor. It takes up my entire day and i have to miss a day off work, but it's worth it. At least i know he wants to help and isn't lying to me.
You take care and i hope you have a speedy recovery from your surgery. Hopefully your doctor will be willing to run the relevant tests.
Hugs to you too. things will get better :)
salty
03-02-2009, 10:21 PM
Audrey-B, sorry i can't write more...i'm so nauseous...just wanted you to know i'm not on birth control and haven't been for more than 15 years.
I'll write more soon.
I appreciate you being there for me, i really do.
Hugs,
Salty
I'll write more soon.
I appreciate you being there for me, i really do.
Hugs,
Salty
salty
03-05-2009, 06:11 AM
Audrey-B, do you think it could be medicine-related? I've been on lexapro and klonopin for many years.
I would think I would have had trouble with my hair either after first taking the drugs or somewhere along the line, but after all these years?
I'm afraid my gyn. isn't going to find the cause.
Hugs,
Salty
I would think I would have had trouble with my hair either after first taking the drugs or somewhere along the line, but after all these years?
I'm afraid my gyn. isn't going to find the cause.
Hugs,
Salty
Audrey-B
03-11-2009, 07:32 AM
Hi Salty - i've never heard of lexapro and klonopin. What are they for? It can be medecine related, you just don't know. Depending on the medecine and it's ingredients, some people can see hair loss soon and sometimes it can occur much later.
I'm still inclined to believe that it's either related to hormonal issues, thyroid, low iron, or lack of certain vitamin/minerals or lack of protein. You really need to find out what you could possibly be low in eg: ferretin, Vit D, iodine. You also need to know the situation with all of your hormones eg: estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and thyroid hormones eg: T4 and T3 and whether you have any Thyroid Antibodies.
The fact is, the moment something isn't right on the inside, it's our hair, skin and/or nails which show the effects.
Unfortunately it's often a long road which involves lots of research and mostly dedication. Hoping you feel better soon :)
I'm still inclined to believe that it's either related to hormonal issues, thyroid, low iron, or lack of certain vitamin/minerals or lack of protein. You really need to find out what you could possibly be low in eg: ferretin, Vit D, iodine. You also need to know the situation with all of your hormones eg: estrogen, progesterone, testosterone and thyroid hormones eg: T4 and T3 and whether you have any Thyroid Antibodies.
The fact is, the moment something isn't right on the inside, it's our hair, skin and/or nails which show the effects.
Unfortunately it's often a long road which involves lots of research and mostly dedication. Hoping you feel better soon :)
salty
03-18-2009, 02:27 PM
Audrey-B. I'm having all those tests done now. I had most of them on the 3rd day of my period. The progesterone will be on the 23rd day.
Something was put over my incision that burnt me. That is why I am in double the pain. My gyn was alarmed and has me returning to him again tomorrow.
I was almost given bactrim by IV until the nurse read the ingredients and noticed ampicillin was in it. I am allergic to all cillins.
I am hoping my gyn will tell me what really was put on me. He said it was a reaction to the tape. I know it was not.
I will keep you posted with all these tests. I had him run all the ones you said plus more.
Hang in there w/me please. I'll write more when I can and answer more of your questions.
Thank you so much!
Hugs,
Salty
Something was put over my incision that burnt me. That is why I am in double the pain. My gyn was alarmed and has me returning to him again tomorrow.
I was almost given bactrim by IV until the nurse read the ingredients and noticed ampicillin was in it. I am allergic to all cillins.
I am hoping my gyn will tell me what really was put on me. He said it was a reaction to the tape. I know it was not.
I will keep you posted with all these tests. I had him run all the ones you said plus more.
Hang in there w/me please. I'll write more when I can and answer more of your questions.
Thank you so much!
Hugs,
Salty
Audrey-B
03-22-2009, 02:51 AM
You must have had a reaction to whatever they put on the incision. I'm glad your doctor is willing to run all the other extra tests. It's good to check everything out and then you can start the process of elimination. The only problem is when some doctors say your tests are fine, yet they aren't. A work friend is in this boat at the moment. She did a hormone saliva test which showed her testosterone and estrogen to be extremely high. Her doctor then sent her to a hormone doctor, but this doctor doesn't believe in saliva tests and sent my friend for a blood test. When the blood tests came back she said they were all "normal". She doesn't know what to do now as the saliva and blood tests totally contradict one another.
Hoping you feel better soon :)
Hoping you feel better soon :)
salty
03-28-2009, 06:34 PM
Thank you for being there. I'm still in pain and the burning is unreal. I see him again on april 9.
Hugs,
Salty
Hugs,
Salty
Audrey-B
03-29-2009, 07:47 PM
Hi Salty - hoping the doctor can help you went you go in on April 9. I'm not sure what is going on. The only thing i know is that fibroids are connected to elevated estrogen levels and hair shedding can also be linked to that. So it's not your fibroid which is causing, but the imbalance of your hormones would be doing the lot.
Hoping you get a good doctor who knows what he's doing and you feel better soon. Take care :)
Hoping you get a good doctor who knows what he's doing and you feel better soon. Take care :)
salty
04-20-2009, 04:40 PM
Hi Audrey-B. The appt. was changed to this coming Thurs. because my test results were incomplete.
I will let you know what happens.
Thank you.
Hugs,
Salty
I will let you know what happens.
Thank you.
Hugs,
Salty
jill60
04-21-2009, 03:57 AM
You must have had a reaction to whatever they put on the incision. I'm glad your doctor is willing to run all the other extra tests. It's good to check everything out and then you can start the process of elimination. The only problem is when some doctors say your tests are fine, yet they aren't. A work friend is in this boat at the moment. She did a hormone saliva test which showed her testosterone and estrogen to be extremely high. Her doctor then sent her to a hormone doctor, but this doctor doesn't believe in saliva tests and sent my friend for a blood test. When the blood tests came back she said they were all "normal". She doesn't know what to do now as the saliva and blood tests totally contradict one another.
Hoping you feel better soon :)
I know my Dr. says saliva test are no good! She said they have purposely done saliva testing & then turned around & done the blood work to do some comparison, (however they do it) & the saliva testing isn't correct.
I have never had it done myself.
Jill
Hoping you feel better soon :)
I know my Dr. says saliva test are no good! She said they have purposely done saliva testing & then turned around & done the blood work to do some comparison, (however they do it) & the saliva testing isn't correct.
I have never had it done myself.
Jill
Audrey-B
04-22-2009, 07:27 PM
Salty - Good luck and fingers crossed all goes well :)
Jill60 - The saliva testing measures the free 'bioavailable' hormone activity at a cellular level. This doesn't happen with blood testing as it doesn't measure the 'bioavailable' hormone levels.
I wasn't able to fall preganant, yet nothing whatsoever wrong with me or my husband, i had massive abnormal hair shedding, totally messed up monthly cycles and sudden fibroid growth. That simply does not occur if your hormones are well balanced.
I had the blood testing for years, with varying doctors, all saying i was 'fine'. I really started to hate that word as i knew something was wrong. In fact my GP did at one point say it was hormonal and his best suggestion was birth control pills. It was only when i did the saliva test that i got answers.
It's odd, a lot of the different types of tests i've done with my new doctor, who treats my thyroid, have turned up things that have been wrong with me. A lot of other doctors don't like these forms of tests as it's too much trouble for them, they can't interpret the results and they refuse to stray from 'traditional' forms of testing.
If i hadn't found the last 2 doctors who were a bit more willing and clued in, i feel i'd still be in the same boat as i'd been in for the last 10 years. I feel they've given my life back to me. This is why i feel basic blood tests, which are used for simply everything these days aren't the best for everybody. Since i've had saliva, urine and stool analysis testing a lot more things have been discovered and fixed. Maybe it wasn't the tests themselves, maybe it was the willingness of the doctor, i'm not a doctor nor a scientist, but i do know what has helped and what hasn't so i'm happy. I do feel sad when i read about people suffering on here and i hope everybody finds a good doctor. I've suffered enough and it still hurts to look back and think of the times most doctors just never gave a damn about me as a patient, nor the tests they performed.
Jill60 - The saliva testing measures the free 'bioavailable' hormone activity at a cellular level. This doesn't happen with blood testing as it doesn't measure the 'bioavailable' hormone levels.
I wasn't able to fall preganant, yet nothing whatsoever wrong with me or my husband, i had massive abnormal hair shedding, totally messed up monthly cycles and sudden fibroid growth. That simply does not occur if your hormones are well balanced.
I had the blood testing for years, with varying doctors, all saying i was 'fine'. I really started to hate that word as i knew something was wrong. In fact my GP did at one point say it was hormonal and his best suggestion was birth control pills. It was only when i did the saliva test that i got answers.
It's odd, a lot of the different types of tests i've done with my new doctor, who treats my thyroid, have turned up things that have been wrong with me. A lot of other doctors don't like these forms of tests as it's too much trouble for them, they can't interpret the results and they refuse to stray from 'traditional' forms of testing.
If i hadn't found the last 2 doctors who were a bit more willing and clued in, i feel i'd still be in the same boat as i'd been in for the last 10 years. I feel they've given my life back to me. This is why i feel basic blood tests, which are used for simply everything these days aren't the best for everybody. Since i've had saliva, urine and stool analysis testing a lot more things have been discovered and fixed. Maybe it wasn't the tests themselves, maybe it was the willingness of the doctor, i'm not a doctor nor a scientist, but i do know what has helped and what hasn't so i'm happy. I do feel sad when i read about people suffering on here and i hope everybody finds a good doctor. I've suffered enough and it still hurts to look back and think of the times most doctors just never gave a damn about me as a patient, nor the tests they performed.
salty
04-23-2009, 03:01 PM
Audrey-B., I just got back. My iron saturation is low (12 on a scale from 15-55) and my ferritin is low (11 on a scale from 10-291).
I asked him if I should take an iron supplement and he said it could cause constipation and to eat greens instead, but I know I won't eat a lot of greens so I'm going to take the vitron-c that I already have (says it causes less constipaton). Do you think I should take one or 2 pills per day? I get iron in my multi-vitamin, but obviously that hasn't helped much or I wouldn't be so low.
My vit. d only went up from 35 to 38.5. For some reason we didn't even mention it. I am not going back to taking that really high dose. I didn't like the way it made me feel. I have been taking 2,000 per day and I think I will increase it to 3,000 per day. Does that sound okay?
The last thing that was off was my testosterone. The free and total was 17 on a scale from 14-76. The free testosterone direct was <0.2 on a scale from 0.0-2.2.
The Androstenedione was 35 on a scale from 47-268, and the DHEA-Sulfate was 16 on a scaled from 32-240.
He said that he didn't want to do anything about that now because I would have hair growing on my face, etc.
He said that's why I am low on energy. Now that I have gone over the results, I'm concerned about the testosterone. Since I'm not even in the middle range, shouldn't I be using a bioidentical testosterone to at least get me a little higher?
I really don't know. I always have the questions AFTER I leave his office.
I have put a call into him and he's supposed to call today or tomorrow. I wanted to check with you first to see what you thought about all this. Hopefully I'll hear back from you before I speak w/him.
I felt good about all of it when I was in his office because I knew I could try to get my iron up and still take vit. d., but the testosterone has me concerned.
Please let me know what you think, dear.
Thank you so much!
Hugs,
Salty
I asked him if I should take an iron supplement and he said it could cause constipation and to eat greens instead, but I know I won't eat a lot of greens so I'm going to take the vitron-c that I already have (says it causes less constipaton). Do you think I should take one or 2 pills per day? I get iron in my multi-vitamin, but obviously that hasn't helped much or I wouldn't be so low.
My vit. d only went up from 35 to 38.5. For some reason we didn't even mention it. I am not going back to taking that really high dose. I didn't like the way it made me feel. I have been taking 2,000 per day and I think I will increase it to 3,000 per day. Does that sound okay?
The last thing that was off was my testosterone. The free and total was 17 on a scale from 14-76. The free testosterone direct was <0.2 on a scale from 0.0-2.2.
The Androstenedione was 35 on a scale from 47-268, and the DHEA-Sulfate was 16 on a scaled from 32-240.
He said that he didn't want to do anything about that now because I would have hair growing on my face, etc.
He said that's why I am low on energy. Now that I have gone over the results, I'm concerned about the testosterone. Since I'm not even in the middle range, shouldn't I be using a bioidentical testosterone to at least get me a little higher?
I really don't know. I always have the questions AFTER I leave his office.
I have put a call into him and he's supposed to call today or tomorrow. I wanted to check with you first to see what you thought about all this. Hopefully I'll hear back from you before I speak w/him.
I felt good about all of it when I was in his office because I knew I could try to get my iron up and still take vit. d., but the testosterone has me concerned.
Please let me know what you think, dear.
Thank you so much!
Hugs,
Salty
salty
04-23-2009, 04:45 PM
Audrey-B., I'm back again. I just spoke with him and he said that the 17 testosterone isn't extremely low (scale again is 14-76). I asked him about the bioidenticals, etc. and he said again that he doesn't feel I'm low enough to warrant getting the unwanted side effects. I personally don't want to mess with the testosterone, but I wanted to check with him again because I was feeling uneasy about it.
He said I can take the vitron-c...he said 1 pill 3x per week, but I am going to take 1 pill per day because I'm not worried about the constipation. If it becomes a problem, I will cut down on it. I noticed the new multivitamins I have are close to centrum-silver and they have no iron in them so I'm really going to need the vitron-c.
He also said to go ahead and take the 2,000 iu of vit. d per day (which is what I've been doing).
We will test again in 6 months.
How does all this sound to you? I'm trying my best not to worry about the testosterone, but maybe upping my iron will give me more energy. That obviously has something to do with my hair.
He did also say that messing with the testosterone could cause more hair loss and you know I don't want that. He said it also promotes weight gain.
My progesterone and estrogen were fine.
I'll be anxious to read what you think about all this.
I just got back on here again to tell you that what I'm worried about is that the lower testosterone may be causing my lower mood. I have had to be on antidepressants for a long time. Now I'm afraid that it may be stemming from the testosterone.
What do you think? It's really starting to bother me. I don't want all those side effects from added testost. and I want to believe my dr. when he says that because my estrogen and progesterone is good that all's okay--that my testosterone isn't low enough to add to. He said I'm all female and was pleased with the results.
I'm just really confused now...the more I think about it, the more I wonder what I should do.
Thank you,
Salty
He said I can take the vitron-c...he said 1 pill 3x per week, but I am going to take 1 pill per day because I'm not worried about the constipation. If it becomes a problem, I will cut down on it. I noticed the new multivitamins I have are close to centrum-silver and they have no iron in them so I'm really going to need the vitron-c.
He also said to go ahead and take the 2,000 iu of vit. d per day (which is what I've been doing).
We will test again in 6 months.
How does all this sound to you? I'm trying my best not to worry about the testosterone, but maybe upping my iron will give me more energy. That obviously has something to do with my hair.
He did also say that messing with the testosterone could cause more hair loss and you know I don't want that. He said it also promotes weight gain.
My progesterone and estrogen were fine.
I'll be anxious to read what you think about all this.
I just got back on here again to tell you that what I'm worried about is that the lower testosterone may be causing my lower mood. I have had to be on antidepressants for a long time. Now I'm afraid that it may be stemming from the testosterone.
What do you think? It's really starting to bother me. I don't want all those side effects from added testost. and I want to believe my dr. when he says that because my estrogen and progesterone is good that all's okay--that my testosterone isn't low enough to add to. He said I'm all female and was pleased with the results.
I'm just really confused now...the more I think about it, the more I wonder what I should do.
Thank you,
Salty
jill60
04-23-2009, 09:54 PM
I get testosterone in the form of bhrt hormone pellets.
I have went through surgical menopause. I feel fantastic. Went from 0 libido to alot more now!!
Testosterone gives you a sense of well being, makes you feel good about yourself, boost your energy level just to name a few.
I have not hair loss from using the T. My Mother is 75, gone through surgical menopause & she uses T. & can't get over the difference in how she feels.
You are on the really low end of the T if the lowest is 14 & yours is just 17.
Jill
QUOTE=salty;3964829]Audrey-B., I'm back again. I just spoke with him and he said that the 17 testosterone isn't extremely low (scale again is 14-76). I asked him about the bioidenticals, etc. and he said again that he doesn't feel I'm low enough to warrant getting the unwanted side effects. I personally don't want to mess with the testosterone, but I wanted to check with him again because I was feeling uneasy about it.
He said I can take the vitron-c...he said 1 pill 3x per week, but I am going to take 1 pill per day because I'm not worried about the constipation. If it becomes a problem, I will cut down on it. I noticed the new multivitamins I have are close to centrum-silver and they have no iron in them so I'm really going to need the vitron-c.
He also said to go ahead and take the 2,000 iu of vit. d per day (which is what I've been doing).
We will test again in 6 months.
How does all this sound to you? I'm trying my best not to worry about the testosterone, but maybe upping my iron will give me more energy. That obviously has something to do with my hair.
He did also say that messing with the testosterone could cause more hair loss and you know I don't want that. He said it also promotes weight gain.
My progesterone and estrogen were fine.
I'll be anxious to read what you think about all this.
I just got back on here again to tell you that what I'm worried about is that the lower testosterone may be causing my lower mood. I have had to be on antidepressants for a long time. Now I'm afraid that it may be stemming from the testosterone.
What do you think? It's really starting to bother me. I don't want all those side effects from added testost. and I want to believe my dr. when he says that because my estrogen and progesterone is good that all's okay--that my testosterone isn't low enough to add to. He said I'm all female and was pleased with the results.
I'm just really confused now...the more I think about it, the more I wonder what I should do.
Thank you,
Salty[/QUOTE]
I have went through surgical menopause. I feel fantastic. Went from 0 libido to alot more now!!
Testosterone gives you a sense of well being, makes you feel good about yourself, boost your energy level just to name a few.
I have not hair loss from using the T. My Mother is 75, gone through surgical menopause & she uses T. & can't get over the difference in how she feels.
You are on the really low end of the T if the lowest is 14 & yours is just 17.
Jill
QUOTE=salty;3964829]Audrey-B., I'm back again. I just spoke with him and he said that the 17 testosterone isn't extremely low (scale again is 14-76). I asked him about the bioidenticals, etc. and he said again that he doesn't feel I'm low enough to warrant getting the unwanted side effects. I personally don't want to mess with the testosterone, but I wanted to check with him again because I was feeling uneasy about it.
He said I can take the vitron-c...he said 1 pill 3x per week, but I am going to take 1 pill per day because I'm not worried about the constipation. If it becomes a problem, I will cut down on it. I noticed the new multivitamins I have are close to centrum-silver and they have no iron in them so I'm really going to need the vitron-c.
He also said to go ahead and take the 2,000 iu of vit. d per day (which is what I've been doing).
We will test again in 6 months.
How does all this sound to you? I'm trying my best not to worry about the testosterone, but maybe upping my iron will give me more energy. That obviously has something to do with my hair.
He did also say that messing with the testosterone could cause more hair loss and you know I don't want that. He said it also promotes weight gain.
My progesterone and estrogen were fine.
I'll be anxious to read what you think about all this.
I just got back on here again to tell you that what I'm worried about is that the lower testosterone may be causing my lower mood. I have had to be on antidepressants for a long time. Now I'm afraid that it may be stemming from the testosterone.
What do you think? It's really starting to bother me. I don't want all those side effects from added testost. and I want to believe my dr. when he says that because my estrogen and progesterone is good that all's okay--that my testosterone isn't low enough to add to. He said I'm all female and was pleased with the results.
I'm just really confused now...the more I think about it, the more I wonder what I should do.
Thank you,
Salty[/QUOTE]
salty
04-24-2009, 07:33 PM
Jill, this has me so upset. I have no idea what to do. I think he's hesistant because I have still a few years left to have a child...I guess.
He said the side effects are bad. What I don't understand is why I can't take just a little to bring up my mood and energy?
Thank you for writing. I know Audrey-B will when she can.
What are the pellets? What kind of dr. do you go to?
Everything you described that testosterone does--I don't have and need.
Is it different for someone in menopause than not? I don't know. It has me really confused and just not knowing WHAT to do.
I really appreciate you writing--thank you so much.
Salty
He said the side effects are bad. What I don't understand is why I can't take just a little to bring up my mood and energy?
Thank you for writing. I know Audrey-B will when she can.
What are the pellets? What kind of dr. do you go to?
Everything you described that testosterone does--I don't have and need.
Is it different for someone in menopause than not? I don't know. It has me really confused and just not knowing WHAT to do.
I really appreciate you writing--thank you so much.
Salty
salty
04-24-2009, 08:24 PM
Back again, I want to write again that my androstenedione was low 35 on a scale from 47-268 and my DHEA-Sulfate was also low 16 on a scale from 32-240. And the free testosterone direct was <0.2 on a scale from 0.0-2.2.
Do these numbers mean anything as to why he doesn't want to add testosterone?
My gyn kept saying the low testosterone has to do with low sex drive and I don't care about that--I care about the other symptoms.
After I hear from Audrey-B, maybe I should post to see if others have had the same problem. I have to wait to hear from my expert though. She knows a lot from going through all this for so long.
Hugs,
Salty
Do these numbers mean anything as to why he doesn't want to add testosterone?
My gyn kept saying the low testosterone has to do with low sex drive and I don't care about that--I care about the other symptoms.
After I hear from Audrey-B, maybe I should post to see if others have had the same problem. I have to wait to hear from my expert though. She knows a lot from going through all this for so long.
Hugs,
Salty
Audrey-B
04-25-2009, 12:53 AM
Hi Salty - Firstly, yes you ought to be on some form of daily iron supplement as your ferritin is way too low. Your hair shedding could be as a result of that or a hormonal issue. Also hair shedding can occur due to malabsorption of nutrients, especially if your body isn't absorbing sufficient protein due to insufficient enzymes or stomach acids. Stress can be a cause too, but people with stress tends to mostly lose it in one big hit and then it grows back. Those are pretty much the main things to cause abnormal hair shedding which is ongoing from a uniform area all over the scalp.
Your doctor is wrong in saying that iron supplements will cause constipation. Some brands might, while other brands wont. You can check on the Anemia board and see what forms of iron others are using. They are very helpful there. I'm on one called Ferro-Grad C and it's a slow release iron supplement and hasn't caused constipation for me, but then everbody is an individual. I've changed 3 brands which either gave me IBS or constipation. I'm now happy with the one i'm on. Your very low ferritin would be causing tiredness too.
Your vitamin D is low too. If you were seeing my doctor he'd have you on 5000IU per day. He says it's best taken after your evening meal as it's more likely you would have eaten meat and Vit D supplements are best absorbed when you aren't on a vegetarian diet. My Vit D moves up quite slowly, but it's up high at 126, yet not high enough (he wants it up at 150 but not more than 200 while over 500 is toxic), but it appears to have helped my DHEA-s, which are produced by your adrenal glands. My doctor says there is a link between higher D levels and the DHEA-s as the better your Vit D the stronger your adrenals. The adrenals produced DHEA-s as well as other hormones. This is why we need to take care of our adrenal function by getting sufficient sleep, good diet, not skipping breakfast, destressing, not overloading on caffeine and sugar fixes. If the adrenals aren't working well, they too will cause tiredness.
As for all your hormone results, i'm not going to be of much help to you as our labs over here use a totally different lab range. I can see though that you are at the very low end of the range when it comes to your testosterone and you would undoubtedly be feeling at least some symptoms, but not all, of testosterone deficiency. Some people don't have to be below a lab range to feel symptoms, they only have to be at the bottom end of the range.
Here is a symptoms listing for low testosterone my lab sent over when i received my hormone results last year: fatigue, mental fuzziness, memory problems, depression, low libido, poor concentration, muscle weakness, dimished feeling of wellbeing, heart palpitations, thinning skin, bone loss, vaginal dryness, incontinence, general aches/pains, fibromyalgia. You wont necessarily have all these symptoms. It would depend how low your testosterone got.
I don't understand how the result came back for your estrogen being fine when you have fibroids? Fibroids love a higher estrogen environment. I wonder whether your estrogen result was within range, yet high end of the range? Do you have another doctor you could cross reference your results with to get a 2nd opinion. I get concerned when it comes to hormones as i was told for years that my hormones were just fine, yet they weren't. I don't mean to scare you, but you have obvious symptoms that point to hormonal issues and testosterone doesn't cause fibroids.
If it's not your actual hormones then the only other hormone regulated area in the body which can cause tiredness and hair shedding is your thyroid. I think you said you had that checked? That is another area i worry about as hundreds of people are being told they don't have a thyroid issue when in fact they do. As you know, i went minimum 9 years with thyroid issues and was constantly told i was due to doctors only basing results on your TSH results.
So.......... what i'd do if i were you, i'd start taking a daily iron supplement (what you get in multivitamins is in NO way enough). If you are taking a high dose, start off slow so your system gets used to it and you don't get a sore stomach as some forms of iron supplements can be a little harsh until you get used to them. Maybe speak to a chemist and see what they say. Often your local chemist can be more helpful than your GP in those areas. Also try the Anemia section of the boards.
Stick to a higher level of Vit D, 1000IU is not enough. You can go up to 5000IU per day quite safely. Some people notice aches/pains disappearing once their D's are up nice and high.
Check with your other doctor (i think you said you had another???) and see what she says about your hormone results.
You can try posting your hormone results on the Hormone section of the board and someone there might have a better understanding of your lab ranges. My testosterone is higher than it ought to be so i've got the opposite issues that you would have.
Don't foget that people like naturopaths and homeopaths often have a better understanding when it comes to hormones than 'some' doctors out there. I've only just started taking a new herbal mix as they believe they can shrink my fibroid through lowering my estrogen, which will in turn raise my progesterone and balance them out. I've also been on Vitex tablets to help lower my estrogen for the last 2 months. This month i had virtually zero bloating and other PMS issues i'd developed in the past. I feel i'm slowly getting closer and closer to how i used to be before all this began 9 years ago. My hormone issues, hair shedding and my thyroid issues appear to have occured together so it's nice to be finally getting some form of relief.
Remember, you don't have to just stick to one doctor. You can combine a traditional doctor/specialist and a naturopath or homeopath as both forms of 'doctoring' have their place (in my opinion) and it's the way i've received results in the end. Buy a folder and put all your test results in date order so if you do go to another doctor you will have your medical history in that one folder.
You take care and i know you will get there :)
Your doctor is wrong in saying that iron supplements will cause constipation. Some brands might, while other brands wont. You can check on the Anemia board and see what forms of iron others are using. They are very helpful there. I'm on one called Ferro-Grad C and it's a slow release iron supplement and hasn't caused constipation for me, but then everbody is an individual. I've changed 3 brands which either gave me IBS or constipation. I'm now happy with the one i'm on. Your very low ferritin would be causing tiredness too.
Your vitamin D is low too. If you were seeing my doctor he'd have you on 5000IU per day. He says it's best taken after your evening meal as it's more likely you would have eaten meat and Vit D supplements are best absorbed when you aren't on a vegetarian diet. My Vit D moves up quite slowly, but it's up high at 126, yet not high enough (he wants it up at 150 but not more than 200 while over 500 is toxic), but it appears to have helped my DHEA-s, which are produced by your adrenal glands. My doctor says there is a link between higher D levels and the DHEA-s as the better your Vit D the stronger your adrenals. The adrenals produced DHEA-s as well as other hormones. This is why we need to take care of our adrenal function by getting sufficient sleep, good diet, not skipping breakfast, destressing, not overloading on caffeine and sugar fixes. If the adrenals aren't working well, they too will cause tiredness.
As for all your hormone results, i'm not going to be of much help to you as our labs over here use a totally different lab range. I can see though that you are at the very low end of the range when it comes to your testosterone and you would undoubtedly be feeling at least some symptoms, but not all, of testosterone deficiency. Some people don't have to be below a lab range to feel symptoms, they only have to be at the bottom end of the range.
Here is a symptoms listing for low testosterone my lab sent over when i received my hormone results last year: fatigue, mental fuzziness, memory problems, depression, low libido, poor concentration, muscle weakness, dimished feeling of wellbeing, heart palpitations, thinning skin, bone loss, vaginal dryness, incontinence, general aches/pains, fibromyalgia. You wont necessarily have all these symptoms. It would depend how low your testosterone got.
I don't understand how the result came back for your estrogen being fine when you have fibroids? Fibroids love a higher estrogen environment. I wonder whether your estrogen result was within range, yet high end of the range? Do you have another doctor you could cross reference your results with to get a 2nd opinion. I get concerned when it comes to hormones as i was told for years that my hormones were just fine, yet they weren't. I don't mean to scare you, but you have obvious symptoms that point to hormonal issues and testosterone doesn't cause fibroids.
If it's not your actual hormones then the only other hormone regulated area in the body which can cause tiredness and hair shedding is your thyroid. I think you said you had that checked? That is another area i worry about as hundreds of people are being told they don't have a thyroid issue when in fact they do. As you know, i went minimum 9 years with thyroid issues and was constantly told i was due to doctors only basing results on your TSH results.
So.......... what i'd do if i were you, i'd start taking a daily iron supplement (what you get in multivitamins is in NO way enough). If you are taking a high dose, start off slow so your system gets used to it and you don't get a sore stomach as some forms of iron supplements can be a little harsh until you get used to them. Maybe speak to a chemist and see what they say. Often your local chemist can be more helpful than your GP in those areas. Also try the Anemia section of the boards.
Stick to a higher level of Vit D, 1000IU is not enough. You can go up to 5000IU per day quite safely. Some people notice aches/pains disappearing once their D's are up nice and high.
Check with your other doctor (i think you said you had another???) and see what she says about your hormone results.
You can try posting your hormone results on the Hormone section of the board and someone there might have a better understanding of your lab ranges. My testosterone is higher than it ought to be so i've got the opposite issues that you would have.
Don't foget that people like naturopaths and homeopaths often have a better understanding when it comes to hormones than 'some' doctors out there. I've only just started taking a new herbal mix as they believe they can shrink my fibroid through lowering my estrogen, which will in turn raise my progesterone and balance them out. I've also been on Vitex tablets to help lower my estrogen for the last 2 months. This month i had virtually zero bloating and other PMS issues i'd developed in the past. I feel i'm slowly getting closer and closer to how i used to be before all this began 9 years ago. My hormone issues, hair shedding and my thyroid issues appear to have occured together so it's nice to be finally getting some form of relief.
Remember, you don't have to just stick to one doctor. You can combine a traditional doctor/specialist and a naturopath or homeopath as both forms of 'doctoring' have their place (in my opinion) and it's the way i've received results in the end. Buy a folder and put all your test results in date order so if you do go to another doctor you will have your medical history in that one folder.
You take care and i know you will get there :)
salty
04-25-2009, 04:47 AM
There you are, my dear. :) Thank you for writing. Okay, for the 17-alpha-Hydroxyprogesterone and the 17-OH Progestrone I was a 242 in the Luteal which ranged from 20-290.
For the Estradiol, I was 114 from 19-528. He was very pleased with that. Am I giving you the correct readings for the estrogen? Sorry to be ignorant but it does not say on my results estrogen. I'm assuming that is the estradiol. Is that right? Are those the numbers I should be giving you when it comes to estrogen? I will give you any results you need to check my estrogen.
I have been giving you the ranges that my lab goes by in all my posts because I know all labs are different. Remember these tests were taken AFTER my fibroid was removed and all was cleared out of my ovaries and fallopian tubes, etc. He said I have the ovaries of a 25 year old now. He also built up my uterus which was sagging and is now small as it should have been.
My TSH was .726, scale .450-4.5000. My T4 was 5.4, scale 4.5-12.0. My T3 was 36, scale 24-39. My Free Thyroxine was 1.9, scale 1.2-4.9. Thyroid antibodies peroxidase was 15, scale 0-34. My Antithyroglobulin Ab was <20 on a scale from 0-40. My FSH and LH was 9.9, scale of 0.0-76.3, then for that it lists age groups and luteal, follicular, mid-cycle, etc.
I have read and heard that higher levels of vit.d over long periods of time (6 months or more) can be toxic. Isn't that true? I read it all over the Internet.
Remember I was taking 50,000 iu per week and I felt horribly. I even thought that was causing the hair loss. My gyn. is the one that put me on that and felt very strongly as you do that it was very important. I just think the dose was too high for me. I never felt well on it. Instead of the aches/pains going away, I would have terrible body aches the day after taking it. I would also like to take the vit. d over the counter because it was a real pain ordering the high dose by my prescription mail order.
I also have to keep in mind that when I was taking the high dose, it was BEFORE surgery, so I was not well to begin with.
I have settled for 2,000 per day, but I can up it to 3,000. It's the toxicity I'm worried about. I'm obviously not holding the vitamin. My level only went up from 35 to 38.5 after the 50,000 iu per week. I think some of it has to do with not being in the sun. After years of baking in it, I stay out of it now. Can we compromise on 3,000 per day or do you really think I should go higher? I drink lots of fat-free milk and probiotic yogurt.
I don't eat much meat...if I do it's salmon, chicken or turkey...maybe that's another reason I'm not holding the vit.d.
The vitron-C iron that I am taking says on the label less constipation. I had a bad stomach ache yesterday (1st day taking it), but I don't today. I am going to take one pill every day...okay?
I'm sorry if I'm repeating myself from previous posts bear with me, I'm very concerned about this.
I have all the symptoms that you mentioned of low testosterone except vaginal dryness and mental fuzziness...I have at least 10 of them. My biggest concern is the low mood, heart palpitations, aches and dimished sense of well-being. I almost think that taking the AD I've been on for so long has caused some of my problems.
Do you think he doesn't want to "mess" with my hormones because I could become pregnant? I do not even have a boyfriend now, but that is what I would love to find someone wonderful and have a child. He knows this and I think his mind is in that place. That's why he was happy when the results came back that I am still fertile. I don't have a whole lot of time left to have a child.
I was going to go to my primary care to give him the results and see what he thinks. Then he could refer me to an endocrinologist.
Here's the thing, Audrey-B, when I mentioned to my gyn. before we had all the tests, I asked him if I should see an endoc. and he said "there's no need, we can do all the tests here. I can do all the tests."
I adore my gyn. and I feel guilty already for even thinking about going to an endoc. I know it sounds silly, but I know my gyn. has my best interests at heart.
Do you think I should go to my primary care dr. (also a man), see what he thinks about the results and then go back to my gyn. and explain more about how I am feeling? We discussed the low energy and low libido, but I never mentioned the depression, lack of well-being, etc.
I just feel so badly going behind his back to see an endocrinologist. I have been with my gyn (who is also my surgeon) for many years. He's a wonderful man. I feel that if he thought I should see an endoc., he would send me to one.
Isn't it possible to give a small amount of testosterone that way the side effects would be minimal? I don't understand why that could not be done. I certainly don't want the side effects that he said I would get (especially the hair loss)!
I really think he's thinking about not messing around w/my hormones so that I can become pregnant and right now all I'm thinking is I would like to feel better because I'm never going to even date feeling the way I do now. :(
Let me know if there are any other results you need. After you and I get this figured out (I really trust your advice), I will then post the results on the hormone section of the boards.
Hope to hear back from you soon and I'm really glad you are getting closer to where you should have been so long ago.
Many hugs & thanks for doing this,
Salty
For the Estradiol, I was 114 from 19-528. He was very pleased with that. Am I giving you the correct readings for the estrogen? Sorry to be ignorant but it does not say on my results estrogen. I'm assuming that is the estradiol. Is that right? Are those the numbers I should be giving you when it comes to estrogen? I will give you any results you need to check my estrogen.
I have been giving you the ranges that my lab goes by in all my posts because I know all labs are different. Remember these tests were taken AFTER my fibroid was removed and all was cleared out of my ovaries and fallopian tubes, etc. He said I have the ovaries of a 25 year old now. He also built up my uterus which was sagging and is now small as it should have been.
My TSH was .726, scale .450-4.5000. My T4 was 5.4, scale 4.5-12.0. My T3 was 36, scale 24-39. My Free Thyroxine was 1.9, scale 1.2-4.9. Thyroid antibodies peroxidase was 15, scale 0-34. My Antithyroglobulin Ab was <20 on a scale from 0-40. My FSH and LH was 9.9, scale of 0.0-76.3, then for that it lists age groups and luteal, follicular, mid-cycle, etc.
I have read and heard that higher levels of vit.d over long periods of time (6 months or more) can be toxic. Isn't that true? I read it all over the Internet.
Remember I was taking 50,000 iu per week and I felt horribly. I even thought that was causing the hair loss. My gyn. is the one that put me on that and felt very strongly as you do that it was very important. I just think the dose was too high for me. I never felt well on it. Instead of the aches/pains going away, I would have terrible body aches the day after taking it. I would also like to take the vit. d over the counter because it was a real pain ordering the high dose by my prescription mail order.
I also have to keep in mind that when I was taking the high dose, it was BEFORE surgery, so I was not well to begin with.
I have settled for 2,000 per day, but I can up it to 3,000. It's the toxicity I'm worried about. I'm obviously not holding the vitamin. My level only went up from 35 to 38.5 after the 50,000 iu per week. I think some of it has to do with not being in the sun. After years of baking in it, I stay out of it now. Can we compromise on 3,000 per day or do you really think I should go higher? I drink lots of fat-free milk and probiotic yogurt.
I don't eat much meat...if I do it's salmon, chicken or turkey...maybe that's another reason I'm not holding the vit.d.
The vitron-C iron that I am taking says on the label less constipation. I had a bad stomach ache yesterday (1st day taking it), but I don't today. I am going to take one pill every day...okay?
I'm sorry if I'm repeating myself from previous posts bear with me, I'm very concerned about this.
I have all the symptoms that you mentioned of low testosterone except vaginal dryness and mental fuzziness...I have at least 10 of them. My biggest concern is the low mood, heart palpitations, aches and dimished sense of well-being. I almost think that taking the AD I've been on for so long has caused some of my problems.
Do you think he doesn't want to "mess" with my hormones because I could become pregnant? I do not even have a boyfriend now, but that is what I would love to find someone wonderful and have a child. He knows this and I think his mind is in that place. That's why he was happy when the results came back that I am still fertile. I don't have a whole lot of time left to have a child.
I was going to go to my primary care to give him the results and see what he thinks. Then he could refer me to an endocrinologist.
Here's the thing, Audrey-B, when I mentioned to my gyn. before we had all the tests, I asked him if I should see an endoc. and he said "there's no need, we can do all the tests here. I can do all the tests."
I adore my gyn. and I feel guilty already for even thinking about going to an endoc. I know it sounds silly, but I know my gyn. has my best interests at heart.
Do you think I should go to my primary care dr. (also a man), see what he thinks about the results and then go back to my gyn. and explain more about how I am feeling? We discussed the low energy and low libido, but I never mentioned the depression, lack of well-being, etc.
I just feel so badly going behind his back to see an endocrinologist. I have been with my gyn (who is also my surgeon) for many years. He's a wonderful man. I feel that if he thought I should see an endoc., he would send me to one.
Isn't it possible to give a small amount of testosterone that way the side effects would be minimal? I don't understand why that could not be done. I certainly don't want the side effects that he said I would get (especially the hair loss)!
I really think he's thinking about not messing around w/my hormones so that I can become pregnant and right now all I'm thinking is I would like to feel better because I'm never going to even date feeling the way I do now. :(
Let me know if there are any other results you need. After you and I get this figured out (I really trust your advice), I will then post the results on the hormone section of the boards.
Hope to hear back from you soon and I'm really glad you are getting closer to where you should have been so long ago.
Many hugs & thanks for doing this,
Salty
Audrey-B
04-26-2009, 03:20 AM
Hi Salty - No problem on repeating yourself, i do that myself :)
Firstly, lab ranges vary from country to country and your lab ranges are totally different to what i've had done here. This is why i can't comment on your hormone and your thyroid results. If you post on the thyroid and hormone sections of the board i'm sure someone else is bound to help as there are a lot of people from the USA on the boards.
It's good that you have so much confidence in this doctor. I can understand him not wanting to mess with your hormones too much as you definitely want to have children some day soon. The problem is, testosterone has a fairly decent impact on how you feel, as you can see from the symptoms. Being in a relationship and having sex as a fulfilling part of your relationship and to have children too is important. This is why low libido, low moods, vaginal dryness etc can be such a mood killer in the bedroom. You don't want these aspects hanging around at the start of a relationship.
With testosterone, you would only be getting the hair shedding and other symptoms if you went to the extreme upper end of the range or above that range. With symptoms, it can also be an individual thing. I have a hormone and thyroid issue, yet i don't have ALL the symptoms listed. A lot of illnesses share some exact same symptoms so you have to be careful to check all possibilities. I for a long time only focused on low iron due to my symptoms, then later realised thryoid sufferers can have a lot of the same symptoms, then later found out hormone imbalances also share a lot of the same symptoms. It gets difficult working it all out, that's why a good and understanding doctor is paramount.
It is good though that your doctor feels your estrogen and progesterone are in good shape. It does make me wonder how you ended up with the fibroid in the first place. Maybe your hormones were out of balance and the fibroid grew and the hormones have since rebalanced. Maybe the fibroid will stop growing or could even shrink in this case. You might still want to have yearly ultrasounds to see how the fibroid is progressing.
With the Vit D, you must have been exceedingly low if they gave you 50,000IU. that is only done when you are rock bottom. If you have been on big doses of Vit D and your lab figures have not climbed into the "toxic" range already, this would mean your Vit D, like your ferritin, are very slow movers. This is why it's important to have a blood retest about a month after supplementing a particular thing, just to see how fast your body absorbs it. Like i said before, my dad's rocketed up in 5 weeks, whereas mine has taken 2 years to get where his got in 5 weeks. Don't be afraid of the toxicity. That only happens when you reach the extreme top of the range. If you are a slow mover you wont be getting anywhere near toxic so don't worry about that. I'd say 3000IU is a decent compromise. Vit D is so important in so many areas. if you haven't already, do some research on low vitamin D on the net.
With your iron, it doesn't look as though you eat any red meat. You can get iron from a lot of things, but the most is found in red meat. You don't have to have red meat every day. They say at least 3 times per week. Certain foods, vitamins and beverages can inhibit iron absorption too. There are lists on the net.
There is a book called "What your doctor may not tell you about premenopause" and it's written by a Dr John R Lee. I've heard good reveiws about his understanding of hormones and the books he has written are quite popular and informative. I came across some information about low testosterone, saying that low testosterone can be due to insufficient hormone levels in a woman's body and that we lose testosterone as we age. The fact that you have lost more than is acceptable would have to be looked into as i highly doubt it will self correct.
Dr Lee went on to say that with low testosterone (i'm not sure how low he is talking about), small amounts of natural testosterone can enhance the good effects of the other hormones. He also states that good testosterone production depends on sufficient progesterone levels in the body. If progesterone levels are too low, low testosterone in women may be the result and is one of the primary causes of low testosterone in women. Natural progesterone cream is what is then used if this is the case. If this hasn't done the trick by 6 months then some natural testosterone is used.
This then leaves me to wonder whether your progesterone levels really are adequate? also, from my own experience and discussions with my own doctor, if progesterone is lower than it ought to be, estrogen is usually not where it ought to be. I guess this brings us back full circle!!
Maybe you should check your local library or book store for Dr John Lee's books or do some research online. I'm constantly hearing about him from other women on the healthboard so maybe it's worth a try. Low testosterone can't be caused by too many things and it's important to fix as if it gets too low it can lead to osteoperosis and that's why it's also important to build your Vit D so you can absorb calcium correctly and help prevent against osteoperosis.
I'm not sure if i've helped you and or confused you even more :p but don't be brushed off by doctors that low testosterone is only a mans problem. Women have this issue as well as excessive testosterone. The fact you have so many of the symptoms i'd not be letting my doctor be too complacent. There are some good natural hormone replacements out there for hormones women are low in. Letting you try one for a while and seeing whether at least some of your symptoms get better wouldn't hurt.
Good luck :)
Firstly, lab ranges vary from country to country and your lab ranges are totally different to what i've had done here. This is why i can't comment on your hormone and your thyroid results. If you post on the thyroid and hormone sections of the board i'm sure someone else is bound to help as there are a lot of people from the USA on the boards.
It's good that you have so much confidence in this doctor. I can understand him not wanting to mess with your hormones too much as you definitely want to have children some day soon. The problem is, testosterone has a fairly decent impact on how you feel, as you can see from the symptoms. Being in a relationship and having sex as a fulfilling part of your relationship and to have children too is important. This is why low libido, low moods, vaginal dryness etc can be such a mood killer in the bedroom. You don't want these aspects hanging around at the start of a relationship.
With testosterone, you would only be getting the hair shedding and other symptoms if you went to the extreme upper end of the range or above that range. With symptoms, it can also be an individual thing. I have a hormone and thyroid issue, yet i don't have ALL the symptoms listed. A lot of illnesses share some exact same symptoms so you have to be careful to check all possibilities. I for a long time only focused on low iron due to my symptoms, then later realised thryoid sufferers can have a lot of the same symptoms, then later found out hormone imbalances also share a lot of the same symptoms. It gets difficult working it all out, that's why a good and understanding doctor is paramount.
It is good though that your doctor feels your estrogen and progesterone are in good shape. It does make me wonder how you ended up with the fibroid in the first place. Maybe your hormones were out of balance and the fibroid grew and the hormones have since rebalanced. Maybe the fibroid will stop growing or could even shrink in this case. You might still want to have yearly ultrasounds to see how the fibroid is progressing.
With the Vit D, you must have been exceedingly low if they gave you 50,000IU. that is only done when you are rock bottom. If you have been on big doses of Vit D and your lab figures have not climbed into the "toxic" range already, this would mean your Vit D, like your ferritin, are very slow movers. This is why it's important to have a blood retest about a month after supplementing a particular thing, just to see how fast your body absorbs it. Like i said before, my dad's rocketed up in 5 weeks, whereas mine has taken 2 years to get where his got in 5 weeks. Don't be afraid of the toxicity. That only happens when you reach the extreme top of the range. If you are a slow mover you wont be getting anywhere near toxic so don't worry about that. I'd say 3000IU is a decent compromise. Vit D is so important in so many areas. if you haven't already, do some research on low vitamin D on the net.
With your iron, it doesn't look as though you eat any red meat. You can get iron from a lot of things, but the most is found in red meat. You don't have to have red meat every day. They say at least 3 times per week. Certain foods, vitamins and beverages can inhibit iron absorption too. There are lists on the net.
There is a book called "What your doctor may not tell you about premenopause" and it's written by a Dr John R Lee. I've heard good reveiws about his understanding of hormones and the books he has written are quite popular and informative. I came across some information about low testosterone, saying that low testosterone can be due to insufficient hormone levels in a woman's body and that we lose testosterone as we age. The fact that you have lost more than is acceptable would have to be looked into as i highly doubt it will self correct.
Dr Lee went on to say that with low testosterone (i'm not sure how low he is talking about), small amounts of natural testosterone can enhance the good effects of the other hormones. He also states that good testosterone production depends on sufficient progesterone levels in the body. If progesterone levels are too low, low testosterone in women may be the result and is one of the primary causes of low testosterone in women. Natural progesterone cream is what is then used if this is the case. If this hasn't done the trick by 6 months then some natural testosterone is used.
This then leaves me to wonder whether your progesterone levels really are adequate? also, from my own experience and discussions with my own doctor, if progesterone is lower than it ought to be, estrogen is usually not where it ought to be. I guess this brings us back full circle!!
Maybe you should check your local library or book store for Dr John Lee's books or do some research online. I'm constantly hearing about him from other women on the healthboard so maybe it's worth a try. Low testosterone can't be caused by too many things and it's important to fix as if it gets too low it can lead to osteoperosis and that's why it's also important to build your Vit D so you can absorb calcium correctly and help prevent against osteoperosis.
I'm not sure if i've helped you and or confused you even more :p but don't be brushed off by doctors that low testosterone is only a mans problem. Women have this issue as well as excessive testosterone. The fact you have so many of the symptoms i'd not be letting my doctor be too complacent. There are some good natural hormone replacements out there for hormones women are low in. Letting you try one for a while and seeing whether at least some of your symptoms get better wouldn't hurt.
Good luck :)
salty
04-26-2009, 04:09 AM
Oh, Audrey-B. What would I do without you?
Remember my fibroid was completely removed. It's gone thank goodness. I just don't want another one to come back.
I took the 3,000 vit. d today and am going to continue with the one iron pill per day even though he said 3x per week.
I am so stressed and so worried about all this...it's crazy.
My plan is to take my results to my primary care dr. and have him look them over. If he recommends an endocrin., I will not go until I go back to see my gyn. I will feel too guilty. We agreed in the beginning that he could handle all of this.
To make a long story short, there was an opening in my gyn's office and even though I still am hurting from the operation, I would have taken the job. I didn't come clean with my gyn about how I really feel because I knew he wouldn't want me to work there feeling the way I do.
The lady came back that left so there are no openings. I left my resume. I have to tell him about my extremely low mood, that my zest for life is gone, that I have no sense of well-being, etc. All I said was that I had low energy.
I really don't understand how he can say on a scale from 14-76 that my 17 is not really that low...to me it is very low...i'm not even in the middle!
You have given me hope by saying that SMALL amounts of testos. can be used. That is all I'm asking for...I know it's hard to get the correct balance, but if he can't, don't you think he will refer me to an endocrinologist?
I do know my progestrone is good...he definitely said that. I don't know how to tell you about my estrogen because you didn't tell me what to read to you from the results. Let me know if you think of it.
If he still does not want to put me on it...I don't know why he wouldn't at least want to try a minimal amount...then I have no idea how I will ask if I should see an endoc. I will feel that our patient/dr relationship will suffer because of that.
As you can see, I'm afraid of everything right now...I have no well-being. I want to live life again. Yes, I want to have a child, but right now, I just want to feel "normal" again.
An AD that is an add-on to my current AD is coming by prescription mail order soon, but I am not going to use it until this testosterone issue is solved.
I will never know if the added testos. could have helped me (all these years probably too) if I don't try it.
He had me so scared about the side effects, that's why I agreed with him not to take it after 2 conversations.
I told him I would see him in 6 months...well, I'm going to make the appt. with my primary care and my gyn and hopefully I will see them both this week. I really can't go on like this...I'm so stressed, worried and anxious.
My gyn. can check my iron and my vit. d periodically...what do you think is good?--3 months, 6 months? My vit.d as I said only went up 3 points after 6 months on 50,000 iu.
Small amounts of natural testosterone...that's all I'm asking to try. I don't know what my gyn.'s answer will be, but I have to do something.
Audrey-B, I'm just adding this, I've been thinking--I am going to call first thing Mon. morning to get the quickest appointment with my GYN.
I just realized that if I'm not even going to take my prim. care's recommendation to go see someone else, then I need to start w/my GYN FIRST. My prim. care dr. does not specialize in this field.
I will go to the prim. care after whatever happens w/my gyn. and take it from there. I have to get this taken care of as soon as possible...before I go cuckoo! Sound good?
What am I asking for a low dose natural T cream?
Audrey-B, I'm adding this on Monday. I'm nervous already but I have an appointment Thurs. morning with my gyn.
Another friend on the boards who has the same problem said to ask for a low dose bioidentical testosterone cream and get a compounding one that is made especially for my needs at a compounding pharmacy.
Sounds good to me...how about you?
Many hugs and thanks,
Salty
Remember my fibroid was completely removed. It's gone thank goodness. I just don't want another one to come back.
I took the 3,000 vit. d today and am going to continue with the one iron pill per day even though he said 3x per week.
I am so stressed and so worried about all this...it's crazy.
My plan is to take my results to my primary care dr. and have him look them over. If he recommends an endocrin., I will not go until I go back to see my gyn. I will feel too guilty. We agreed in the beginning that he could handle all of this.
To make a long story short, there was an opening in my gyn's office and even though I still am hurting from the operation, I would have taken the job. I didn't come clean with my gyn about how I really feel because I knew he wouldn't want me to work there feeling the way I do.
The lady came back that left so there are no openings. I left my resume. I have to tell him about my extremely low mood, that my zest for life is gone, that I have no sense of well-being, etc. All I said was that I had low energy.
I really don't understand how he can say on a scale from 14-76 that my 17 is not really that low...to me it is very low...i'm not even in the middle!
You have given me hope by saying that SMALL amounts of testos. can be used. That is all I'm asking for...I know it's hard to get the correct balance, but if he can't, don't you think he will refer me to an endocrinologist?
I do know my progestrone is good...he definitely said that. I don't know how to tell you about my estrogen because you didn't tell me what to read to you from the results. Let me know if you think of it.
If he still does not want to put me on it...I don't know why he wouldn't at least want to try a minimal amount...then I have no idea how I will ask if I should see an endoc. I will feel that our patient/dr relationship will suffer because of that.
As you can see, I'm afraid of everything right now...I have no well-being. I want to live life again. Yes, I want to have a child, but right now, I just want to feel "normal" again.
An AD that is an add-on to my current AD is coming by prescription mail order soon, but I am not going to use it until this testosterone issue is solved.
I will never know if the added testos. could have helped me (all these years probably too) if I don't try it.
He had me so scared about the side effects, that's why I agreed with him not to take it after 2 conversations.
I told him I would see him in 6 months...well, I'm going to make the appt. with my primary care and my gyn and hopefully I will see them both this week. I really can't go on like this...I'm so stressed, worried and anxious.
My gyn. can check my iron and my vit. d periodically...what do you think is good?--3 months, 6 months? My vit.d as I said only went up 3 points after 6 months on 50,000 iu.
Small amounts of natural testosterone...that's all I'm asking to try. I don't know what my gyn.'s answer will be, but I have to do something.
Audrey-B, I'm just adding this, I've been thinking--I am going to call first thing Mon. morning to get the quickest appointment with my GYN.
I just realized that if I'm not even going to take my prim. care's recommendation to go see someone else, then I need to start w/my GYN FIRST. My prim. care dr. does not specialize in this field.
I will go to the prim. care after whatever happens w/my gyn. and take it from there. I have to get this taken care of as soon as possible...before I go cuckoo! Sound good?
What am I asking for a low dose natural T cream?
Audrey-B, I'm adding this on Monday. I'm nervous already but I have an appointment Thurs. morning with my gyn.
Another friend on the boards who has the same problem said to ask for a low dose bioidentical testosterone cream and get a compounding one that is made especially for my needs at a compounding pharmacy.
Sounds good to me...how about you?
Many hugs and thanks,
Salty
Audrey-B
04-28-2009, 07:32 AM
Hi Salty - Firstly, as i'm in a different country, i can't ask any information about your hormone results as i don't know how to interpret them as our labs here use entirely different ranges. Any blood testing for hormones for me was years ago. My most recent ones which uncovered my hormone issues where saliva tests and i've also done a urine estrogen test.
With testosterone (i've been doing a bit of reading up as mine is a bit high and over the maximum range) women begin losing it normally after the age of 40, but testosterone tests are not always accurate as one female could feel good with your particular testosterone level and not have the symptoms which you have. Another female could have slightly higher testosterone than you and have all the symptoms you are experiencing.
The thing with testosterone is that it can often be an 'individual' thing. What's right for one woman wont always be right for another. This is why going by symptoms is clearly important. In your case your doctor may feel your testosterone is not low enough to treat, yet you clearly have all the symptoms bar a couple. Now clearly these symptoms can also belong to other health issues, namely thyroid issues, but you have been cleared of that. But certain of those sytmpoms are very hormone related and especially testosterone related.
I feel you need to stress how badly you have been experiencing these symptoms and for how long. Be careful though, a lot of doctors will ignore your thoughts on this issue and will simply push you into taking antidepressants, when what you need is to fix the root cause, not apply a bandaide and try to get by, while deep down it's still bothering you, causing more anxiety until it ends up a viscious circle.
At the end of the day it's your health, wellbeing and future. There is no point pussy footing around doctors and worrying about hurting their feelings. As you know, i took their word as gospel and ended up in more trouble 9 years down the track. This appears to be a common theme with quite a few other people across the boards. So in the nicest way possible, you need to assure your doctor that you are not depressed mentally, but you clearly have actual symptoms and those symptoms over time have gotten you down.
Sorry, i forgot that you had had the firbroid removed. That does stump me still, but maybe there are other reasons for fibroid growth other than excess estrogen, even though that is the main reason.
A doctor should be looking into all the reasons for your obvious low testosterone symptoms, work out what could be causing it to be low, fix that problem, if they can't find out what is causing low testosterone (eg: adrenal issues) then give you natural progesterone or natural testosterone. A little over time can't hurt and i'm sure you would start to see results. I think even the other lady who contributed on your thread mentioned that she has used this and it did wonders.
I'm not sure what other things can lower testosterone, but i do know being low in certain things eg: ferritin, vitamin D, B12, those 3 in particular can cause some weird symptoms. So i feel you are doing the right thing by taking the Vit D and taking a daily ferritin supplement. Your ferritin, like your Vit D appear to be slow moving so you wont end up with too much in a short space of time. Maybe get a recheck in 3 months, unless you need blood tests for something else then you can get the doctor to add them then.
I'm not sure what else to add. I do worry when people's symptoms get passed off as nothing and doctors only want to prescribe antidepressants. If they refer you to an Endochronologist, he/she may take a better look at your thyroid results. They might find something missed by your doctor. The hard part is when they only look at ranges and not your actual results plus symptoms.
You will get to the bottom of it. YOu need to be persistent and not give up. I understand it's hard and tiring, but at least you are doing something about it. A lot of people give up and put up. Everybody deserves answers, help and a happy life :)
With testosterone (i've been doing a bit of reading up as mine is a bit high and over the maximum range) women begin losing it normally after the age of 40, but testosterone tests are not always accurate as one female could feel good with your particular testosterone level and not have the symptoms which you have. Another female could have slightly higher testosterone than you and have all the symptoms you are experiencing.
The thing with testosterone is that it can often be an 'individual' thing. What's right for one woman wont always be right for another. This is why going by symptoms is clearly important. In your case your doctor may feel your testosterone is not low enough to treat, yet you clearly have all the symptoms bar a couple. Now clearly these symptoms can also belong to other health issues, namely thyroid issues, but you have been cleared of that. But certain of those sytmpoms are very hormone related and especially testosterone related.
I feel you need to stress how badly you have been experiencing these symptoms and for how long. Be careful though, a lot of doctors will ignore your thoughts on this issue and will simply push you into taking antidepressants, when what you need is to fix the root cause, not apply a bandaide and try to get by, while deep down it's still bothering you, causing more anxiety until it ends up a viscious circle.
At the end of the day it's your health, wellbeing and future. There is no point pussy footing around doctors and worrying about hurting their feelings. As you know, i took their word as gospel and ended up in more trouble 9 years down the track. This appears to be a common theme with quite a few other people across the boards. So in the nicest way possible, you need to assure your doctor that you are not depressed mentally, but you clearly have actual symptoms and those symptoms over time have gotten you down.
Sorry, i forgot that you had had the firbroid removed. That does stump me still, but maybe there are other reasons for fibroid growth other than excess estrogen, even though that is the main reason.
A doctor should be looking into all the reasons for your obvious low testosterone symptoms, work out what could be causing it to be low, fix that problem, if they can't find out what is causing low testosterone (eg: adrenal issues) then give you natural progesterone or natural testosterone. A little over time can't hurt and i'm sure you would start to see results. I think even the other lady who contributed on your thread mentioned that she has used this and it did wonders.
I'm not sure what other things can lower testosterone, but i do know being low in certain things eg: ferritin, vitamin D, B12, those 3 in particular can cause some weird symptoms. So i feel you are doing the right thing by taking the Vit D and taking a daily ferritin supplement. Your ferritin, like your Vit D appear to be slow moving so you wont end up with too much in a short space of time. Maybe get a recheck in 3 months, unless you need blood tests for something else then you can get the doctor to add them then.
I'm not sure what else to add. I do worry when people's symptoms get passed off as nothing and doctors only want to prescribe antidepressants. If they refer you to an Endochronologist, he/she may take a better look at your thyroid results. They might find something missed by your doctor. The hard part is when they only look at ranges and not your actual results plus symptoms.
You will get to the bottom of it. YOu need to be persistent and not give up. I understand it's hard and tiring, but at least you are doing something about it. A lot of people give up and put up. Everybody deserves answers, help and a happy life :)
salty
04-28-2009, 11:21 PM
Thank you, sweetie, what great advice. I am going to do exactly as you say. I'm hoping my gyn. is willing and will listen and will be proactive.
I really don't want to start off with a new doctor (an endo), but if I have to, I do.
I'm just hoping all will go well Thursday. I get very nervous then I read your posts and it calms me.
I wrote down everything I need to ask and suggest. And I just added the recheck in 3 months. Sounds good to me.
It all sounds fine to you and me, now I just have to hope it will to him.
Thank you so much Audrey-B. I will let you know what happens.
Your 9 years of suffering makes me mad. I want you to be well.
Hugs,
Salty
I really don't want to start off with a new doctor (an endo), but if I have to, I do.
I'm just hoping all will go well Thursday. I get very nervous then I read your posts and it calms me.
I wrote down everything I need to ask and suggest. And I just added the recheck in 3 months. Sounds good to me.
It all sounds fine to you and me, now I just have to hope it will to him.
Thank you so much Audrey-B. I will let you know what happens.
Your 9 years of suffering makes me mad. I want you to be well.
Hugs,
Salty
jill60
04-29-2009, 04:07 AM
Jill, this has me so upset. I have no idea what to do. I think he's hesistant because I have still a few years left to have a child...I guess.
He said the side effects are bad. What I don't understand is why I can't take just a little to bring up my mood and energy?
Thank you for writing. I know Audrey-B will when she can.
What are the pellets? What kind of dr. do you go to?
Everything you described that testosterone does--I don't have and need.
Is it different for someone in menopause than not? I don't know. It has me really confused and just not knowing WHAT to do.
I really appreciate you writing--thank you so much.
Salty
Salty,
I went through surgical menopause which is much much worse than going through it naturally. I had a hysterectomy & they removed my ovaries so you go from having hormones 1 hr. & then it is like hitting a brick wall going 90 miles a hr. then you 0 hormones.
I go to a FEMALE GYN for my hormones. The pellets are the size of a rice pellet & they just make an incesion in your hip & insert it.
If you are still planning on having children I really doubt you could get T. cream. I know a friend of mine whose husband uses a cream it says for her not to come in contact with it. I'll have to research that!
Jill
He said the side effects are bad. What I don't understand is why I can't take just a little to bring up my mood and energy?
Thank you for writing. I know Audrey-B will when she can.
What are the pellets? What kind of dr. do you go to?
Everything you described that testosterone does--I don't have and need.
Is it different for someone in menopause than not? I don't know. It has me really confused and just not knowing WHAT to do.
I really appreciate you writing--thank you so much.
Salty
Salty,
I went through surgical menopause which is much much worse than going through it naturally. I had a hysterectomy & they removed my ovaries so you go from having hormones 1 hr. & then it is like hitting a brick wall going 90 miles a hr. then you 0 hormones.
I go to a FEMALE GYN for my hormones. The pellets are the size of a rice pellet & they just make an incesion in your hip & insert it.
If you are still planning on having children I really doubt you could get T. cream. I know a friend of mine whose husband uses a cream it says for her not to come in contact with it. I'll have to research that!
Jill
Audrey-B
04-29-2009, 07:53 AM
Hi Salty - Jill makes some valid points. If your doctor wont listen, sometimes male doctors aren't as understanding regarding womens issues, then maybe if you do go looking for another doctor then a female gyno would be one to try.
It's usually those who have experienced our issues that are willing to help the most. This is the reason my doctor is so helpful, i believe, as he's suffering a number of issues the same as myself eg: thyroid and high estrogen.
I know it's a struggle for you now and you are confused over what you read compared to what your current doctor is saying and then how you are feeling healthwise. Hang in there and good luck with your thursday appointment. Just think, with what you know now you are ahead of where you were, lets say, one month ago :)
Jill, that must have been awful having the hysterectomy in the first place, then being faced with the major hormone swing. It's good that you are feeling better now though. I know hysterectomies must be done in some cases, but it's not just a matter of taking something out and thinking the body can function the same way without those organs. I think it's such a big step to have a hysterectomy.
It's usually those who have experienced our issues that are willing to help the most. This is the reason my doctor is so helpful, i believe, as he's suffering a number of issues the same as myself eg: thyroid and high estrogen.
I know it's a struggle for you now and you are confused over what you read compared to what your current doctor is saying and then how you are feeling healthwise. Hang in there and good luck with your thursday appointment. Just think, with what you know now you are ahead of where you were, lets say, one month ago :)
Jill, that must have been awful having the hysterectomy in the first place, then being faced with the major hormone swing. It's good that you are feeling better now though. I know hysterectomies must be done in some cases, but it's not just a matter of taking something out and thinking the body can function the same way without those organs. I think it's such a big step to have a hysterectomy.
salty
04-30-2009, 12:48 AM
Audrey-B., now I'm worried he won't put me on the T if I want to have a child.
Can't I just go off of it when I at least get a boyfriend and get serious with him? Yikes! I was afraid of something like that.
Any comments on it?
Hugs,
Salty
Can't I just go off of it when I at least get a boyfriend and get serious with him? Yikes! I was afraid of something like that.
Any comments on it?
Hugs,
Salty
salty
04-30-2009, 12:52 AM
Jill, I'm sorry for all you've had to go through.
I don't want this to be more difficult that it already seems, but maybe I will have to see a woman.
I'm scared enough of all of it as is. I was just hoping I wouldn't have to start again with someone new, but if I do, I do.
I'm hoping he'll do the low dose natural bioidentical cream because I don't even have a boyfriend yet.
Hugs,
Salty
I don't want this to be more difficult that it already seems, but maybe I will have to see a woman.
I'm scared enough of all of it as is. I was just hoping I wouldn't have to start again with someone new, but if I do, I do.
I'm hoping he'll do the low dose natural bioidentical cream because I don't even have a boyfriend yet.
Hugs,
Salty
Audrey-B
05-01-2009, 06:28 AM
Hi Salty - just take one step at a time and if you need to find a new doctor then tackle that when it happens. Repeatedly seeing a doctor who isn't helping you with your syptoms isn't going to get you anywhere.
I'm not sure of your age as some doctors will hesitate in case the procedure/medication can alter your chances of a baby in the future. I'm not sure about hormones and whether you can go off/on/off them without side effects so i can't comment. I've not heard of hormones having a negative affect even after you have gone off them for a time. It would be interesting though to see if some added hormones would correct your symptoms.
The only other thing i know which wouldn't affect your fertility is naturopathic or homeopathic treatments using herbs. They would be a bit slower due to being herbal but do work too.
I'm not sure of your age as some doctors will hesitate in case the procedure/medication can alter your chances of a baby in the future. I'm not sure about hormones and whether you can go off/on/off them without side effects so i can't comment. I've not heard of hormones having a negative affect even after you have gone off them for a time. It would be interesting though to see if some added hormones would correct your symptoms.
The only other thing i know which wouldn't affect your fertility is naturopathic or homeopathic treatments using herbs. They would be a bit slower due to being herbal but do work too.
salty
05-02-2009, 03:11 PM
Audrey-B, please read my response to kittywitty on the thread Will Someone Pls Read My Hormone Results.
Everything went well. I was so happy when I left there (even though I had a headache). He agreed to the low dose bioidentical T cream.
I have posted to kittywitty's question as to how the appointment went and of course I want you to read it.
Hopefully you will have a suggestion to my question about where to apply the cream (that I don't yet have--it will be ready Monday).
I can't thank you enough for all your help. You have been so wonderful.
Please keep me posted about your hormonal issues.
Hugs,
Salty
Everything went well. I was so happy when I left there (even though I had a headache). He agreed to the low dose bioidentical T cream.
I have posted to kittywitty's question as to how the appointment went and of course I want you to read it.
Hopefully you will have a suggestion to my question about where to apply the cream (that I don't yet have--it will be ready Monday).
I can't thank you enough for all your help. You have been so wonderful.
Please keep me posted about your hormonal issues.
Hugs,
Salty
Audrey-B
05-05-2009, 07:39 PM
Hi Salty :) yes i've replied to your other thread on the Hormone section of the healthboard. Isn't it great to find a doctor who actually listens and is willing to help. Hormone imbalances are at an all time high these days and they affect so many areas of our health. Unfortunately so many doctors either ignore it or tell you to take birth control or get a hysterectomy. There is help out there, you just have to go looking for it and it helps if you are armed with information. That is the best advice i could give anyone.
I hope we here good results from this cream you are now going to use. Just remember, things likely wont change over night, but i'm sure you will see improvements.
Take care and best wishes :)
I hope we here good results from this cream you are now going to use. Just remember, things likely wont change over night, but i'm sure you will see improvements.
Take care and best wishes :)
salty
05-06-2009, 01:38 AM
Audrey-B., just want you to know I replied on the other board and will be using that one...too confusing to use both.
I want you to know again how much I appreciate all the help you have given me. I am so thankful.
Hugs,
Salty
I want you to know again how much I appreciate all the help you have given me. I am so thankful.
Hugs,
Salty