Tales from my Clinic

I’m often asked “Do I need bloods tests?” “My healthcare provider doesn’t do blood tests for Menopause” or “What do my blood results mean?” These are such common questions and I thought share a story about a lady I recently saw in my clinic.

Julia * (not her real name) was a 50 year old peri menopausal lady. I’d been advising and prescribing for her for over 2 years. In October we had a review consultation so Julia could tell me how she was feeling, her symptoms, her HRT and discuss her life in general. Family life was very hectic. She worked full time as an accountant and she helped her husband run his business. She had 2 teenage sons and had elderly parents living close by.

Julia’s GP practice had been prescribing her Oestrogen and Progesterone for over 6 months and I was prescribing her Testosterone called Androfeme.

Over the last 3 months her menopausal symptoms had returned with a vengeance. She wasn’t sleeping well, in-fact waking 3-4 times a night due to night sweats then unable to get back to sleep. She had back pain, which hadn’t been problematic for over 12 months and she was taking prescribed analgesics. They helped but they made her feel sleepy so only took them in the evenings. She was feeling more anxious and felt she was “lost her identity” again. Her brain fog had worsened quite suddenly and she was frantic she’d make a serious error at work.

Julia was desperate to talk to me and off load. She has no idea why she had so many symptoms. She had been on the same HRT I had originally prescribed 18 months ago and it had “worked” until recently.

What Julia hadn’t realised was that her Oestrogen levels in her blood had dropped dramatically since our review 6 months before. Previously her Oestradiol was 587 pmol/l but now it had dropped to 189 pmol/l. Her Testosterone levels were within a safe and effective range therefore I knew her symptoms were being caused by her low Oestrogen levels.

In the past Julia had paid to have finger prick blood tests instead of a blood taken from a vein. Her results were abnormally high. I explained that in order to get reliable hormone levels bloods should be taken from a vein.

With that Julia requested her blood tests through Bourne2care. Requesting them privately via Bourne2care meant her results were available to be viewed 48 hours later. The right blood tests taken from a vein, at the right time of day and the right day of her menstrual cycle. This meant her results were as accurate as possible.

After assessing her female hormone levels and her symptoms, it was obvious she wasn’t absorbing her Oestrogen. I explained this was very common and her HRT needed to be altered. With her consent I wrote to her GP advising to change from an Oestrogen only patch to an Oestrogen gel.

Many women tell me that they notice their HRT less effective after a few months and just accept it as being “OK and normal”. This is how Julia felt. She told me how well she had felt 6 months before when her Oestradiol levels were higher. I reassured her she could feel better again.

Seeing qualified medical professionals who prescribe and specialise in Menopause and HRT can be life changing.

Julia leads a very busy life, like most of us do. However, Julia knew that Diane would explain what her symptoms and blood levels meant to her.

If you’re wondering about your hormone levels, have menopausal symptoms, if you’re wondering if your HRT is the correct dose and type for you, why not book a consultation with Diane at Bourne2care or book a blood test and 15 min chat appointment?

If you are currently taking HRT, a blood test and 15 min chat will help you understand what is going on and Diane will steer you in the right direction.

To book any appointments please go to www.bourne2care.co.uk

Take Home Tips.

• If you are currently taking HRT but feel it’s less effective as it once was, ask to have your HRT reviewed. It may need tweaking!

• Hectic family life can play increase our menopausal symptoms.

• Don’t underestimate how stress affects your physical and emotional health.

• HRT isn’t “One size fits all”

• It’s very common for HRT to become less effective. If your symptoms are returning get medical advice.

• Always have bloods taken from a vein!

• The time of day you should have bloods taken and the day of the month is very individual to you!

• If you are wondering what your female hormone levels mean to you, why not book a blood test and 15 min chat appointment with Diane?

• If you’d like a menopause consultation and possibility prescribed HRT please book a new online (or clinic) consultation.

• The experience of the person interpreting your results is very important. Diane has been assessing blood results for over 30 years!

• If the advice you’ve received hasn’t reassured you, book an appointment with Diane.

• It’s Christmas soon… what better gift could give yourself but health and happiness for 2025.