estrogen/progesterone - Menopause Message Board

Linma2428 · 03-09-2006, 09:58 PM

I got a copy of my last estrogen and progesterone counts. I was in the last phase my bloodwork showed 43. It says that 33 to 201 is normal. Progesterone was 3.3 normal is 1.4 to 16.6. both of these seem low to me. The doctor did say I could try some estrogen to see how I did. Looking at the reference ranges it says a women postmenopausal is 5-38. It seems like that means at certain time of month I have close to the same estrogen as a women already is menopause. And on top of that isn't it estrogen that makes us fatter. If I am not having so much estrogen after all why am I so fat. I mean I know I could eat better. But my stomach is huge. I was under the idea that estrogen dominance is what caused our stomachs to get so big. This is so confusing and sad. I hate being old and fat and not really knowing what I should do if anything. Its no wonder the week before I have a period I become a nut. Night sweats, crying, loosing my temper. Sure wish this would be over with and thing would level off but I guess I still have a way to go.

Linda M

katidid95 · 03-10-2006, 04:01 PM

I can't compare my test results to yours because it looks so different (mine was a saliva test). But I do know that all my hormones were low, at menopausal rates. Many symptoms for estrogen dominance and defficiency are the same, so you can't judge by symptoms alone if you are high or low. Also, it is the imbalance of our hormones that contributes to the problems. Have you read Suzanne Sommers "The Sexy Years"? It's actually pretty good about explaining the role of our hormones and what happens when they are not balanced.

Another book I read a while back was "What your doctor never told you about perimenopause". I thought it was really good for explaining how our diets affect us at this time. I haven't had much of a weight problem - I've always been a pretty healthy eater and have excercised. But it did help me relook at what I was eating from an energy standpoint.

Linma2428 · 03-10-2006, 08:35 PM

Hi I have been saliva tested also. Last year my doctor was doing saliva tests and told me my progesterone was low but my estrogen was normal. I kept having what he considered estrogen symptoms and every time I told him he would say thats not a progesterone symptom. Then this year he decide to do blood testing and it showed my estrogen was actually lower than what is should be compared to my progesterone. So here I am. I have Suzanne Somers book. I have gone over it a couple times. I guess I could read it again. Really its all confusing to me because some of the symptoms are the same. I would just like to loose weight. I know I could if I really try but seems like it takes so much calorie restriction for me its miserable. I could do better than this I just feel unmotivated I guess. Thanks for your input glad your able to keep your weight under control and you eat right and exercise. You should be proud of yourself for being able to do that. I don't have the will power or strength or disclipine whatever it is. I was always able to control myself for the most part until about 10 years ago and I have just gradually gone up and up to now its so much its over whelming I guess. take care Linda