Re: Millie - hormone testing & levels

[Guest guest]

Since your history is so very important, I think you should speak with a doctor you trust about this. Do you like your current doctor? If so, I would tell him your concerns and tell him you would like to be tested. The blood tests are the most accurate and they could tell you if you are absorbing any of the Estrogen systemically. Hugs, Chelle or Millie Goodman wrote: my cancer was estrogen dependent that is why I have to be so careful and that is why I use vagifem which is a very low dose and just a dab once a week on the outside, but that is why I am concerned, how do I know how much is absorbed, I might even be able to use more, I guess that is why I want to be tested. MIllie Re: Millie - hormone testing &

levels Millie, a good place to start will simply be to ask for the tests so you can figure out where you are right now. Here are some recommendations by Dr. Vliet. Total Testosterone levels: 40 - 60 ng/dl Free Testosterone level: should be 1 - 2% of the total amount Estradiol: at least 80 pg/ml After having your ovaries removed I doubt very seriously if you would be anywhere near the above numbers. Again, in your case, you have to take in your past history of breast cancer. I'm assuming it's not estrogen dependent or I would think your doc would not allow you to use the Estrace. I've read that urinary symptoms can develop when Estradiol is below 60 pg/ml and that sexual problems can arise when it's below 50 pg/ml. Another good thing to

ask yourself is why do you want to raise your levels? For me, it's been about the uro/genital tissue (IC & v.pain) and sex drive. Hope this helps some.... Hugs, Chelle or Millie Goodman <mgoodman (AT) carr (DOT) org> wrote: Thank you, but I am very confused. I looked it up on the website and they say that there is no clear way of saying what each girls level means. I feel confused. Millie

[Guest guest]

You know, I have very caring doctors, and they all know the situation I am in

however, they have never suggested the hormone testing. I have had so many work-ups

I am tired of doctors, so I had decided that when I go in for my yearly physical

I would ask my internist to test me and then I could go from there depending on the results.

But I question it all because they don't seem to test the hormones of breast cancer patients

and I find that strange. Then Chelle and tell me your honest opinion, suppose I am tested

and it is a little high, what am I going to do, I don't think I can make it on less estrogen

than I am using. The vagifem is allowed for breast cancer patients because of its

low absorption rate however each woman's body is difffernet. And a dab externally

once a week couldn't add that much,. My problem is I keep worrying about it

and going back and forth as to why I should or shouldn't test myself. Millie

Re: Millie - hormone testing & levels

Millie, a good place to start will simply be to ask for the tests so you can figure out where you are right now. Here are some recommendations by Dr. Vliet.

Total Testosterone levels: 40 - 60 ng/dl

Free Testosterone level: should be 1 - 2% of the total amount

Estradiol: at least 80 pg/ml

After having your ovaries removed I doubt very seriously if you would be anywhere near the above numbers. Again, in your case, you have to take in your past history of breast cancer. I'm assuming it's not estrogen dependent or I would think your doc would not allow you to use the Estrace.

I've read that urinary symptoms can develop when Estradiol is below 60 pg/ml and that sexual problems can arise when it's below 50 pg/ml. Another good thing to ask yourself is why do you want to raise your levels? For me, it's been about the uro/genital tissue (IC & v.pain) and sex drive. Hope this helps some....

Hugs, Chelle or Millie Goodman <mgoodman (AT) carr (DOT) org> wrote:

Thank you, but I am very confused. I looked it up

on the website and they say that there is no

clear way of saying what each girls level means.

I feel confused. Millie

[Guest guest]

or Millie Goodman wrote: >>>>>>>>But I question it all because they don't seem to test the hormones of breast cancer patientsand I find that strange. Then Chelle and tell me your honest opinion, suppose I am tested and it is a little high, what am I going to do, I don't think I can make it on less estrogen than I am using. The vagifem is allowed for breast cancer patients because of it slow absorption rate however each woman's body is difffernet. And a dab externallyonce a week couldn't add that much,. My problem is I keep worrying about it and going back and forth as to why I should or shouldn't test myself. Millie Millie, when it comes to hormones it so frustrating. Why doctors don't pay more attention to them and study them more is beyond me. I mean, the common link between so many of us women with chronic conditions is 'hormones'....it's not gonna be the 'only' issue for us. But it's a good area that needs to be addressed. I think it would be good for you to get your levels tested and have a baseline. If your cancer docs are good to work with you, I think they could help you determine how much estrogen is 'safe' for you to use. I certainly understand your fears. You don't want to rock the boat, so to speak. But I think it could put your mind at ease to know. Just take it a step at a time! Also, Vliet's book...

"Screaming to be Heard" she addresses estrogen and breast cancer, it's very interesting info. Hugs, Chelle

[Guest guest]

Thank you, for your help, I am going to go forward

with the testing and I didn't have that book,

I am going to get it and read it. Thanks, Millie

Re: Millie - hormone testing & levels

or Millie Goodman <mgoodman (AT) carr (DOT) org> wrote:

>>>>>>>>But I question it all because they don't seem to test the hormones of breast cancer patientsand I find that strange. Then Chelle and tell me your honest opinion, suppose I am tested

and it is a little high, what am I going to do, I don't think I can make it on less estrogen than I am using. The vagifem is allowed for breast cancer patients because of it slow absorption rate however each woman's body is difffernet. And a dab externallyonce a week couldn't add that much,. My problem is I keep worrying about it and going back and forth as to why I should or shouldn't test myself. Millie

Millie, when it comes to hormones it so frustrating. Why doctors don't pay more attention to them and study them more is beyond me. I mean, the common link between so many of us women with chronic conditions is 'hormones'....it's not gonna be the 'only' issue for us. But it's a good area that needs to be addressed.

I think it would be good for you to get your levels tested and have a baseline. If your cancer docs are good to work with you, I think they could help you determine how much estrogen is 'safe' for you to use. I certainly understand your fears. You don't want to rock the boat, so to speak. But I think it could put your mind at ease to know. Just take it a step at a time!

Also, Vliet's boo k... "Screaming to be Heard" she addresses estrogen and breast cancer, it's very interesting info. Hugs, Chelle

[Guest guest]

Thank you, I was going to look on amazon, I like to keep books, especially good ones, and thank you for the tip on the website.

I will check it out. Thank you again for your time. Millie

Re: Millie - hormone testing & levels

Just a suggestion here, Millie. But some of the ladies have gotten a copy from the library. For myself, I always order books from Amazon really cheap...you can order new and used ones for low prices and you can also try http://www.half.com Hugs, Chelle

[Guest guest]

Thank you, I was going to look on amazon, I like to keep books, especially good ones, and thank you for the tip on the website.

I will check it out. Thank you again for your time. Millie

Re: Millie - hormone testing & levels

Just a suggestion here, Millie. But some of the ladies have gotten a copy from the library. For myself, I always order books from Amazon really cheap...you can order new and used ones for low prices and you can also try http://www.half.com Hugs, Chelle

[Guest guest]

Thank you, I was going to look on amazon, I like to keep books, especially good ones, and thank you for the tip on the website.

I will check it out. Thank you again for your time. Millie

Re: Millie - hormone testing & levels

Just a suggestion here, Millie. But some of the ladies have gotten a copy from the library. For myself, I always order books from Amazon really cheap...you can order new and used ones for low prices and you can also try http://www.half.com Hugs, Chelle