> Date: Tue, 1 Oct 96 19:42:28 UT
> From: "Paul Caldwell" <[log in to unmask]>
> To: "Prof Purdie" <[log in to unmask]>, "GP-UK Bulletin Board"
> <[log in to unmask]>
> Subject: TESTING FOR THE MENOPAUSE AND HRT
> Reply-to: [log in to unmask]
> Testing of FSH, LH and oestradiol is widely performed in women who have some
> symptoms of the menopause. What should be the timing of the tests and is it
> necessary to measure oestradiol after HRT has been started to obtain adequate
> bone-protecting levels?
Not currently recommended, as far as I know, but I was at a market
research night ( are they confidential??) where they were trying to
find out our thoughts on the marketing potential of citing a level of
oestradiol of smth like 40 picograms for optimum maintenance of bone
mass. Interestingly reminded that not all these HRTs are licensed
for bone loss prevention, many only for symtpoms (flushing and the
like).
>Are resolution of symptoms on HRT a reliable clinical
> indicator of adequate bone-protecting oestrogen levels?
Apparantly not, if we are to believe what htey were saying.
If a women with high
> FSH + LH has a normal oestradiol level, presumably there is no need to start
> HRT, but should it be repeated in what time interval?
You can get a normal FSH and LH at perimenopause AFAIK, but it may
still need treatment. Treat the symptoms, use FSH LH as a *guide*, I
think.
Repeat it if their symptoms get worse - no hard and fast rules I
would've thought.
Paul
Dr Paul Miller
Bridgeton Health Centre, Glasgow
http://users.colloquium.co.uk/~p_miller/index.htm
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