FSH testing
baileysmom4
Posts: 242 Member
Has anyone had this done to determine where they are at with menopause? I have an IUD so I don't have periods so I can't judge from that where I am in the process of menopause. But, I have been having every single other symptom and I feel like I'm crazy. So my doctor tested me and my level was at 35 which she said anything above 27 is entering menopause. She said I can go on HRT but wants to take out my IUD because it has some hormones in it. Got to tell you, I"m scared to death I'm gonna start having periods if she takes it out! I've had two IUD's over the last ten years and it has been the most wonderful gift to not have had a period in all that time!!!!!
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My last bloodwork reference level said anything above 23 was "postmenopausal". Does the Mirena affect your FSH levels?
Mine were still below official menopause, my doc said, but she also said the various hormones were "all over the place" so it was clear to her perimenopause was causing my symptoms.
Good luck with your decision! Not having a period is such a good thing!0 -
I don't think the IUD affects the test or she wouldn't have given it to me???? She said post menopausal to me too but not sure what that means. Should my "symptoms" go away if I'm post? I have a lot more reading to do! I told her I got really depressed when I lost 30 pounds and she told me I was probably already going thru menopause and losing all that fat (with fat cells holding estrogen, she said) I pushed myself over the edge! LOL All this has happened over the last 7 or 8 months so it has really weirded me out. I guess I was going thru it when I was heavier but all the fat was keeping me happy. You suppose that is where that term comes from? "fat and happy"! : )0
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I never know about the hormonal IUDs. Mine was definitely not a "local" response as the doctor had said it would be. My boobs grew, I got acne... so I never know. It makes sense about estrogen and weight. Definitely. Interesting! Let us know what you decide.I don't think the IUD affects the test or she wouldn't have given it to me???? She said post menopausal to me too but not sure what that means. Should my "symptoms" go away if I'm post? I have a lot more reading to do! I told her I got really depressed when I lost 30 pounds and she told me I was probably already going thru menopause and losing all that fat (with fat cells holding estrogen, she said) I pushed myself over the edge! LOL All this has happened over the last 7 or 8 months so it has really weirded me out. I guess I was going thru it when I was heavier but all the fat was keeping me happy. You suppose that is where that term comes from? "fat and happy"! : )0 -
My doc tested my FSH during routine bloodwork a few years ago. I have no periods due to a hysterectomy at age 33.
Ironically, I procrastinated a bit about going to the lab, and ended up having my very first hot flash sitting in the waiting room. Lol. No surprise that she informed me that I was in menopause -- she said the benchmark was FSH over 30.
I'm actually in and out of it, so I'm really perimenopausal right now. I'll have symptoms for up to 6 weeks, then return to normal for a few months, then back in again. I assume if you tested my FSH regularly it would be up and down. I have a prescription for topical estrogen that I use when symptoms appear; it's not terrifically effective.
I don't know if hormonal BC would affect menopause or not. No one I know has used hormonal BC after their 30s... most get tubal ligations done, or their hubby gets snipped.0 -
You're like me: it waxes and wanes.My doc tested my FSH during routine bloodwork a few years ago. I have no periods due to a hysterectomy at age 33.
Ironically, I procrastinated a bit about going to the lab, and ended up having my very first hot flash sitting in the waiting room. Lol. No surprise that she informed me that I was in menopause -- she said the benchmark was FSH over 30.
I'm actually in and out of it, so I'm really perimenopausal right now. I'll have symptoms for up to 6 weeks, then return to normal for a few months, then back in again. I assume if you tested my FSH regularly it would be up and down. I have a prescription for topical estrogen that I use when symptoms appear; it's not terrifically effective.
I don't know if hormonal BC would affect menopause or not. No one I know has used hormonal BC after their 30s... most get tubal ligations done, or their hubby gets snipped.
This website says "you may be asked to stop hormonal birth control" prior to testing.
I know they say mirena is different. I just didn't find it to be the case.0 -
Has anyone had this done to determine where they are at with menopause? I have an IUD so I don't have periods so I can't judge from that where I am in the process of menopause. But, I have been having every single other symptom and I feel like I'm crazy. So my doctor tested me and my level was at 35 which she said anything above 27 is entering menopause. She said I can go on HRT but wants to take out my IUD because it has some hormones in it. Got to tell you, I"m scared to death I'm gonna start having periods if she takes it out! I've had two IUD's over the last ten years and it has been the most wonderful gift to not have had a period in all that time!!!!!
same thing happened to me last summer. i forget what my FSH was but i'm thinking it was in the 50's? anyway i was scared i'd get my period. i didn't.
went on HRT two weeks ago. THAT made me get my period. seems to be tapering off, hoping it was just a one shot deal. my hot flashes, brain fog, and dryness were bad.0 -
ha. It would have been nice if I had LINKED The website I mentioned.
You're like me: it waxes and wanes.My doc tested my FSH during routine bloodwork a few years ago. I have no periods due to a hysterectomy at age 33.
Ironically, I procrastinated a bit about going to the lab, and ended up having my very first hot flash sitting in the waiting room. Lol. No surprise that she informed me that I was in menopause -- she said the benchmark was FSH over 30.
I'm actually in and out of it, so I'm really perimenopausal right now. I'll have symptoms for up to 6 weeks, then return to normal for a few months, then back in again. I assume if you tested my FSH regularly it would be up and down. I have a prescription for topical estrogen that I use when symptoms appear; it's not terrifically effective.
I don't know if hormonal BC would affect menopause or not. No one I know has used hormonal BC after their 30s... most get tubal ligations done, or their hubby gets snipped.
This website says "you may be asked to stop hormonal birth control" prior to testing.
I know they say mirena is different. I just didn't find it to be the case.0 -
Just chiming in! A year and a half ago I went to my gyn and told her I thought I was peri-menopausal. My periods had been all over the place for two years (18-45 day cycles). She told me "There's no way, you aren't 50 yet" - which sounded like bull to me (my Mom was "done" at 48). I made her test my hormone levels, and she insisted they came back normal (without telling me any actual numbers).
Forward to now - I went to my PCP last month with complaints of hot flashes, anxiety, and no period for 50 days. He tested my FSH and low-and-behold, it was at a whopping 146! Haven't had a period for 3 months so far. I'm assuming I'm done with the FSH being so high - or will it still come and go?0
