How can I absorb my HRT better?

After one year on HRT topical drops ALL my levels are low. The note on the report from my doctor said: Notify that ALL levels of ALL hormones are low. Request appt to discuss traditional FDA approved therapy instead of bio-identical . . . (Ug. I'm sensing a treat to the compounding industry. This is a doctor who I switched to specifically because she was fluid with compounded bio-identicals.)

My question: Is there a application site that is best for absorbing into the blood stream. I have been applying Bi-est to my inner thighs and progesterone to my inner arms. Testosterone to my abdomen or wrists. I talked to my pharm and she said the wrist and neck are best locations for blood flow. She said that if I get my progesterone into my system, my Bi-est may better respond. What do you think about that?

I called the doc because since switching to Bi-est from Climara in January, I've started having some hot flashes breaking through and interrupted sleep with some minor sweats. I can tell when my estrogen is low, but I've never really felt the benefits of progesterone. Maybe I haven't been absorbing it all along?

Estradoil: 24 pg/mL
(Range 19 - 528)

Testosterone, Free: 0.7 pg/mL
(Range 0.0 - 2.2)

Progesterone: 2.5 ng/mL
Range: Follicular 0.2-1.4
Luteal 3.3-25.6
Mid-luteal 4.4-28.0
Postmenopausal 0.0-0.7

Thanks for the help.

~Lilbelle

Is there any reason you switched from Climara? That is a bio-identical hormone. If it was working, why change? I don't even bother with progesterone. It makes me feel terrible and I don't need it so I don't use it. I was a world class ***** on that stuff! lol If you really need progesterone, though, they can make it into a compounded capsule at the compound pharmacy and it is much better absorbed. I felt it instantly when I took it orally. As for the estrogen, well, I did not absorb it well from Estrogel, which is the same concept although it is FDA approved. A lot of ladies do well on it though. It is a bioidentical.

You may be one who does not absorb the drops very well. If you've tried different application sites with no success, than it may be that you just don't absorb the drops well. Hrt is not one size fits all. Doesn't matter whether it's patches, creams, oral, drops, etc. Not all women will do well on one particular form. As much as you would like to continue the drops it may not be in the cards for you. I tried troches at one point, really loved using them, but I just did not absorb them well. I had lots of hills and valleys while using them. I moved on to another method of method of delivery.

	Quote:
Is there any reason you switched from Climara?

I switched from the Climara for cost and convenience. The company my DH works for actually manufactures the patch. Lo and Behold, I got it for FREE! They sold their pharmacutical division and I had to start paying for it. The most cost effective way was to lock into a 90 day supply at a time. I wanted to be able to adjust my levels if needed and drops would let me do that. (For example, last fall I started walking 4 days a week and I began using up my estrogen. With a 90 day supply I would have had to waste quite a bit of money or compromise my comfort.)

I did know that the Climara works for me because I could tell the difference each time I changed doses. So that will be an option for estrogen. Yea.

But I don't know what to do about the progesterone. I'm taking 80 mg/day and apparently getting not much of it. My pharmacist thought my symptoms more aligned with progesterone deficiency than estrogen. Looking at the list, I think she might be right. She thought maybe a troche for the progesterone. I haven't tried them.

If I don't soak up the topical might the troches work different?

I'll get there. I know I will. I'm not miserable and that's a good thing.

~Lilbelle