Some stupid questions

Ok, I'm an R.N. and should know these things, but somehow along the way I've lost track of a few of my marbles. Got some questions about the compound pharmacist. (just found out there is one in my neighborhood)

I'm on Estrace 2 mg, taken at night since I can't take it w/ my Levoxyl .137 in the morning. (In case you don't know this, never take estrogen w/ a thyroid medication, your liver can only metabolize so much), anyway, I'm wondering, how do I get meds from the pharmacy, is it something my Gyn needs to prescribe?
I have done a search on here about it, but it never really goes into detail on HOW to get the meds.

Thanks everyone!

From what I understand your doctor needs to write the prescription. I called the pharmacy near me and they said I needed to do the blood work to get my levels, have the Dr write the prescription, if he didn't know how the pharmacist would read the levels and let him know how to write the script. My doctor wouldn't go for it so now I have to find a doctor who will do it. I will see an endocrinologist in April. If she doesn't do it I will go to the pharmacy and ask them which doctors will write the scripts.

Hope this helps. Someone else can probably explain it a little better since I haven't actually done it yet.


Shelly

Shelly,

This may also help you, I just found it and it explains some more about bio-identical hormones and compounding pharmacies.

http://www.communitydrug.com/Cat_Main.cfm?CategoryID=4

I went to the compounding pharmacy today. I am so excited to get started. My endocrinologist should be able to write the prescription I need. If not they gave me a list of Drs that do write prescriptions. So I can't wait. I don't think I have ever been balanced. This will be a new experience for me. I hope you have luck with it.

Shelly

Shelly,
Hey girl, am glad to hear the you that you are going to the "new" pharmacy.
I also have an appt w/ an endocrinologist in June. The earliest I could get....ugh!

Let me know how things go! Am excited to get started too.

Do endrocrnologists help with hormones? I thought I had to go to a gyn only for that . Do they do blood work and are informed with hrt?
Tah 8/15/03 ovaries and cervix kept

Not what u asked, but I take .1 mg estrace a.m. and p.m. 1mg. I take syntroid .075. If the liver can't assimilate this all at once---does the .2 mg of estrace keep u asymptomatic--no flashes sweats evenly all day? Got to talk to my dr. , but would appreciate more info. Thanks

One idea that works with estrace is...don't swallow it. put it in your mouth, under your tongue and let it dissolve. This way it isn't going through the digestive system at all but becomes a sublingual.

Back when we were working on stabilizing my hrt, I took estrace sublingually in order to get the estrogen directly, bypassing the liver.

Daisycats
Yes, that is what endocrinologists do, is manage hormones, of all types, they also manage diabetes. However, I have found that a reproductive endocrinologist "specializes" more in menopausal symptoms and fertility, so don't let that freak you out if you call one and they say that.

The reason I am going to an endo is because my Gyn is just not listening and neither is my family DR. On top of that I had thyroid cancer in 1992, so I have no thyroid and have been on Levoxyl for years now. Right before my surgery, they did a t-3, t-4 and a Tsh panel and my levels came back "low Normal", since the surgery, it is coming back "high Normal", and they will not adjust my thyroid meds since it is still in the "normal" range.
I have always had a good repore with my endo, so it's back to him I go, I don't get to see him until June, so I made another appt. w/ the reproductive endo to take care of the immediate problems of hot flashes & moodiness, I will see him March 30th.

I'll keep you posted.

Thanks once again Kathy for the suggestion, I am going to try that today w/ my estrace, hopefully I won't get a hot flash tonight!

Suzi, so far the 2 mg is not "working" fully, but I'm still holding out for hope. I don't have a lot of symptoms, 1 hot flash (usually at night), and some irritablity. Will let every one know about the under the toungue method!

thanks ladies for posting & helping as always

thanks for the tip Kathy. I am still having those hot flashes on .5 estrace in the morning and .5 at night. I will try letting it dissolve and see what happens.

I am going to see a "reproductive" endocrinologist April 7th. They deal with hormones and women's health and issues. I really wish I would have seen one before the surgery but can't live in the past. I am just hoping she can help me.

good luck Cricket!!

Shelly