I had a complete hysterectomy 6 yrs ago, and have been exhausted ever since. I use the Vivelle-dot patch for HRT, is there a po

Hi

Look at this very interesting information:

http://www.virginiahopkinstestkits.com/hysterectomyhormones.html

You probably need some biodentical progesterone cream!

Ingalill

Hi there,

I also had a difficult time locating this information, but called the office and found it on the Red Book on the home page. You can click on the "Click to Download" link underneath it. Here's the test information I found:

Medical Tests for Women
Here are the lab tests I think need to be checked:
Hormone Tests
These should be done using blood (serum). Saliva tests
don’t give reliable enough information to use for diagnosis or for monitoring treatment because too many variables affect the saliva levels.

Pituitary hormones that regulate the menstrual cycle: Fol-
licle stimulating hormone (FSH), and Luteinizing Hormone
(LH)
Ovarian hormones: Estradiol (E2), progesterone, testoster-
one (total and free), DHEA, DHEA-S.
Ca125: a test that helps detect early ovarian cancer plus several benign conditions such as ovarian cysts, endometriosis, fibroids

Thyroid hormones: Thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH),
free T3, free T4, and thyroid antibodies
Adrenal “stress” hormone, cortisol. Baseline test is done at 8 am in the morning, and if too high, other tests to look for causes.

Here are the lab tests I think need to be checked:
Metabolic Tests Ferritin, a measure of your body’s iron stores. Your “savings account” for iron can be low long before a full-blown anemia. Fasting insulin. If insulin is too high, you gain fat around your middle, a symptom of prediabetes. If insulin is high, check Hemoglobin A1C to screen for diabetes.

Fasting comprehensive metabolic profile: this measures
blood sugar (glucose), calcium, liver and kidney function, magnesium, electrolytes.

Fasting cholesterol profile (lipids): total cholesterol, HDL, LDL, and triglycerides

Complete blood count—red cells, white cells, hemoglobin,
hematocrit, platelets, and differential.

Please keep us updated.

Because you mentioned surgery to correct a deviated septum, I'm inclined to believe that your sleep apnea had nothing to do with your hysterectomy. Instead, it probably contributed to your feeling of exhaustion.

Just my opinion.

As for relating your hysterectomy to your chronic feeling of exhaustion, have you discussed chronic fatigue with your doctor? There may not necessarily be a relationship between chronic fatigue and hysterectomy.

It's really best to consult your doctor. Meanwhile, let's present your question to our panel of Experts and see what they suggest.

Thank you for your question.