what to check or test before HRT
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Before starting hormone replacement therapy (HRT), several tests and evaluations are typically recommended to ensure it's a safe and suitable option. Here’s a summary based on expert discussions:
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Symptom and Medical Assessment: It's crucial to consider the symptoms of perimenopause, which could start as early as 35. Symptoms include weight gain, sleep issues, irritability, headaches, and mood changes due to hormonal fluctuations. emphasizes evaluating symptoms alongside medical history 1.
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Blood Tests for Hormone Levels: Blood tests are considered the gold standard for checking hormones like estrogen, progesterone, and testosterone. While these hormone levels fluctuate, they provide insight when combined with symptom tracking 1.
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Follicle-Stimulating Hormone (FSH): Monitoring FSH levels can be useful since it provides feedback about how the ovaries are functioning and whether hormone production is declining notes this test can be particularly informative for women in their 40s 2.
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Family Medical History and Lifestyle: It’s important to consider risk factors such as family history of breast or ovarian cancer, and lifestyle factors like alcohol consumption and physical activity, which can affect the decision to start HRT. discusses how these factors need to be considered alongside HRT risks and benefits 3.
These steps provide a comprehensive approach to ensure that HRT is appropriate based on individual health profiles and risks. It's advised to have these discussions and evaluations with healthcare providers to form a personalized approach.
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