I'm all messed up! - Menopause Message Board

Dianek · 08-11-2002, 07:24 PM

I'm days away from turning 47, have recently undergone a thyroid scan for a nodule which now I have to have biopsied, and my period is now coming sooner than expected.

For years I had irregular periods, maybe only getting them every 5-6 weeks. Also had PCOD which has left me with some unwanted facial hair. The past year I've been getting them like clockwork, every 28-29 days.

Now I've just gotten it again and it's only been 23 days!

My gyn did blood tests and said that my hormone levels are still quite within the normal range...says I'm nowhere near menopause. Even had my TSH level checked and it came back normal, but I do have an enlarged thyroid.

Will be seeing my PCP Friday to set up an appointment for the biopsy.

I'm going nuts! Is menopause happening and I don't know it? How can I have normal Estrogen and Progesterone levels and have menopausal symptoms?

I also occasionally have night sweats, but I think a lot of that is due to trying to sleep in the summer heat right now.

DottieMae · 08-12-2002, 01:29 AM

How many menopausal symptoms do you have? When I described some of my symptoms to my doctor a few weeks ago, she checked for thyroid trouble and didn't even do a hormone test ... which personally confused me since I had given her a record of the last five months of my cycles ... which were increasingly abbreviated, going from 28 days (for years) to 22 days for the last three months. Since I'm almost 51 years old, I thought for sure she'd suspect menopause; but she said thyroid problems can cause the same symptoms I was describing and so could general anxiety disorder. I think, since the thyroid work turned up normal, I'll just see my gynocologist instead of taking the Paxil that the other doctor gave me!!! Go to this site ... [url="http://www.menopauserx.com"]www.menopauserx.com[/url] (I thought they gave good information about this topic of menopause.) Oh, and about those blood tests for hormone levels ... I've read recently that they can give results that don't necessarily help to show what they should.

By the way, don't feel like you're going nuts ... just remember that we're all going through the same feelings about this ... if that helps at all!!!

Hang in there!!! I wish you luck.

mlgable · 08-12-2002, 10:09 AM

What was your hormone level? There are many times that your level may be close to menopausal level but your particular doc may not think that is good enough to say you are in perimenopause. Post your levels and I can do some research on this for you. Also you may need more extenisve tests to see if you are starting menopause. For me an FSH showed what I already knew but you may need other tests besides this one.

Dianek · 08-12-2002, 10:14 AM

I really can't say I have much menopausal symptoms, just little changes the past few years. I don't think I am having hot flashes, although I do feel warm quite a bit and if I'm not in air conditioned areas in this hot spell we're going through, I do break out in a sweat.

Only time I feel a flush of heat is if I have a few sips of wine, but normally I don't.

I sleep just fine; in fact, sometimes I have to fight to stay awake just so I can get some relaxing reading done at night.

I don't think I'm unusually moody; but then again, my hubby would have to verify that one!

I'll find out Friday more about my thyroid condition, perhaps that's my whole problem right there because I guess that can wreak havoc on your menstrual cycle as well.

Thanks for responding and I'll check out that link you posted!

Dianek · 08-12-2002, 10:19 AM

My FSH is 4.4 and my TSH is 2.25