Symptoms vs. saliva or blood testing

I went to my gyn yesterday for a re-check on a cystocele. I have also not improved in the hormone balancing act. He said some people are really difficult to get balanced & I seem to be one....no surprise there.

He does not see value in doing either saliva or blood testing for hormone levels because he claims that there hasn't been a good standard developed for reading the test results....on further thought, that sounds a bit lame. My saliva testing showed norms & showed my levels based on those norms. Dr. says he goes mainly by symptoms rather than testing. He says lots of his patients do request testing but he discourages it and goes by how a patient is feeling. I do like that he listens and is open to change. He has switched me from tri-est, prog. & test. in capsule form to a rub-on cream. I am hoping that this works.

I guess my question is this..... this site seems to strongly support hormone testing....either saliva or blood work for those of us that can't seem to find a balance. Is my Dr way off base here? Is there value to the testing that the Dr. is missing? Thanks for your replies.

Norma,
I think has more is learned about the tests, we are beginning to realize that they are not the definitive answer when it comes to hrt. While it can give you a baseline, there really is not one set standard for everyone. While you may feel good at a certain level, I may feel awful.

JMHO I think it is better to base your hrt on symptoms. How would you feel if your doc ran a test, your levels were normal, but you felt awful. So than doc says "too bad" your tests show normal.

It sounds like you have a good doc there, I would follow his instructions and see if you fare better on the creams. I know it's frustrating, it's taken me almost 2 years to see my clearing in the jungle.

Good luck Norma. Let us know how you do on the creams.

My family dr did hormone testing..but was really interested in my symptoms...and she said that sometimes the levels don't really give an accurate picture
I see my Gyn on Thursday..and I'm not sure what I want..if I want him to go by symptoms or by Blood work...though my blood work levels do show definite hormone imbalance....
IT is confusing isn't it?? But from being here..I know there is a light at the end of the tunnel
shelle

I got the exact thing Kim M said! I had the hormone testing done, and guess what? They came back fine. If they are fine, then why the 2 hour night sweats every night? My doc went on the blodwork, and not the symptoms! Wait till he sees me next monday!He's gonna get an earful.