Hormone Testing for Menopause?

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NotVeryBrave
NotVeryBrave Member Posts: 1,287
edited March 2018 in Hormonal Therapy - Before, During, and After

Hey everyone - I was 50 years old when diagnosed and probably in peri-menopause (regular but heavy periods, occasional hot flashes). Chemo stopped my periods more than a year ago. I understand that the closer you are to menopause, the more likely that your periods never return after "chemopause" and you most likely remain in menopause.

I was started on Tamoxifen, but I stopped taking it due to a number of SE's that I felt were unreasonable to continue to tolerate. The plan was to do Tamoxifen for 2-3 years and then switch to an AI. This seems to be sort of a "best of both worlds" approach. Now I'm looking at taking an AI and, while I've had no periods for more than a year, the MO wanted to confirm menopause with hormone levels.

My FSH is definitely in the menopause range, but they also tested Estradiol and LH which are not within the levels anticipated. FSH seems to be the most important one - my GYN was only planning to test that one. I'm waiting to hear from my MO about the plan. My questions are: Were any of you tested? Was it just once or repeated? If repeated, how many times or how often? Do all of the levels have to be in a certain range?

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  • Denise-G
    Denise-G Member Posts: 1,777
    edited March 2018

    I was having sporadic but almost regular periods up until breast cancer diagnosis at age 55. After chemo, no periods. My MO wanted me to start Tamoxifen then switch to an AI, but I talked him into an AI right away. He said he would let me if he tested me for 3 months - had blood tests every two weeks. He checked the Estradiol and others (forgot what they were) but even though I was at a major university teaching hospital, he sent them to Mayo Clinic as he said they are the best at testing for estrogen levels as it is very tricky. I was able to continue with AI as I stayed in menopause.

    GOOD LUCK!


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  • LeesaD
    LeesaD Member Posts: 383
    edited March 2018

    I was dx at 49 and prior to dx was still getting my regular periods. Got my last period first day of my first chemo treatment. Did not get it again during chemo. I wanted to go right to AI's with ovarian suppression. When I finished chemo I got monthly Zoladex shots. Three weeks after first shot my MO checked my estradiol levels and nothing else. He said the levels were virtually undetectable. He checked estradiol monthly for the four months I got the shots. I decided on an oopherectomy so I wouldn't have to get the monthly shots. Had that in Nov.

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  • Kimmer33
    Kimmer33 Member Posts: 386
    edited March 2018

    Hi, I am in my third year of Tamoxifen and will see my Onc in Feb. 2019 with the thought being to be switched to an AI at that point. My last blood test in Aug. 2017 showed that I am post menopausal, so feel that my Onc will switch me to an AI next year. Does anyone know or have been told that there's a danger staying on Tamoxifen if they are post menopausal? I know staying on Tamoxifen can lead to uterine cancer, so not sure if it's something I should push sooner than next February or if it's not a big deal to stay on it until then. I want to be pro-active and not sit back and wait for something bad to happen. Thoughts?

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  • NotVeryBrave
    NotVeryBrave Member Posts: 1,287
    edited March 2018

    My understanding is that AI's have a slight advantage in reducing recurrence. Both have some risks and SE's. Some women stay on Tamoxifen or go back on it if having problems with AI's - even if in menopause.


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  • NotVeryBrave
    NotVeryBrave Member Posts: 1,287
    edited March 2018

    The MO, of course, has not gotten back to me about the hormone levels and the plan for which AI. I guess I'll check with my GYN for her opinion, but I know she won't actually prescribe anything.

    I worry about the AI's since I already have joint pains and osteopenia by DEXA scan. How often are the scans done? Are meds routinely given to help with bone loss or do they wait until they see what happens or a certain percentage of loss?


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  • stephilosphy00
    stephilosphy00 Member Posts: 386
    edited March 2018

    Is my estradiol (15-20 pg/ml)level too high while on Aromasin?

    I have been on Lupron + Aromasin for more than 8 months. My Estradiol has always between about 15-20. I know ovarian function suppression from Lupron is working，I haven't had period for almost 1.5 years, but is it not low enough for Aromasin? I have seen online many women could get to under 5pg/ml with AI. I am afraid Aromasin is not being effective while Estradiol is not low enough. I do have a lot of SEs from Aromasin.

    Thanks！

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