The
following reply was taken from
earlymenopause.comBecause hormone levels can and do fluctuate, many doctors advise getting tested more than once -- about a month apart. as there is a slim chance you're experiencing what is sometimes called "temporary menopause" -- a condition sometimes brought on by traumatic stress among other things.
-- Different labs may use different ranges in their testing. So if and when you do get re-tested, be sure to ask your doctor not only for your specific results, but also for the range used by the lab.
Here, then, are the specific tests you may want to consider asking for:
FSH Blood Level Measurement
This is the key test to determine whether or not you are in menopause. A sample of your blood is taken to measure the levels of FSH -- follicle stimulating hormone -- in your blood. Because your FSH levels rise when your ovaries stop producing enough estrogen, high FSH levels can signal that your body is entering menopause.
Normal FSH day 3 value is 3-20 mlU/ml
FSH levels above 10 to 12 mlu/ml indicate that your ovaries are starting to fail. In other words, this means that you are in perimenopause -- the beginning stages of menopause when you notice physical symptoms, but before you have stopped having a period for a year, or have "diminished ovarian reserve"
Higher FSH levels -- levels about 30 to 40 or above -- are usually taken to signal menopause or ovarian failure. You may even be getting periods with your FSH levels this high, but it still is a sign that your body isn't producing enough estrogen to maintain regular ovarian function.
Keep in mind that you may end up with FSH levels that are well in the post-menopausal range, but still be getting a period. This is one of the things that differentiates premature menopause or premature ovarian failure from "regular" menopause (I.
e. menopause that occurs to older women after a full year without a period). Yet again, this hammers home the unfortunate fact that you may indeed be in premature menopause even if you're having periods. Once your FSH levels have reached a certain height for a period of time, it's highly unlikely that they'll drop back to premenopausal levels. As mentioned above, because hormone levels can and do fluctuate, remember that the FSH is far from foolproof. Some women can test with a high FSH, then revert to normal levels the next month...and so on. Again, it's generally wise to get tested more than once.
Once your FSH Levels are confirmed by another test, talk to your OB/GYN about alternative pregnancy plans.
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Dr. Anderson
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