Adrenal Insufficiency Support Group

Went for my annual lady`s check-up yesterday. Was told that last year when she did my labs my Progesterone level was the lowest one she had ever seen. Good time to tell me!!So she put me on Progerterone 200mg at night.I came home & tried to research the proper levels in post hysterectomy women and could not find the info I wanted.I wanted to find out if I need to be taking this med.All I could really find was adds for it.Or small blerps about it.Does anyone else take this or know anything about it.I do know it has something to do with the adrenal glands in someway.I feel like I should know this but I don`t remember. Sheila

Not me obviously!

I hope she considered your AI state and looked at some recent tests!

Yes the adrenal glands kind of start this one off. ie ACTH>DHEA>Progesterone>Estrogens. Low DHEA can be an AI symptom and can be a cause of women health issues.

I cant remember what your AI state is about.. If however you are on cortisol replacement, any underlying DHEA/progesterone problem wouldn't be being treated.

This may be a good start point;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endocrine_system

And this is the steroid flow;

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/13/ Steroidogenesis.svg

Yes its complex, take your time!

Bob

I have not had a hysterectomy but I take progesterone. I started it a year ago (before knowing I had AI). My GYN prescribed it because my periods had gotten so heavy that I literally could not go anywhere the first 3 days. I had to be in the bathroom every hour, or even more often. It has helped quite a bit. Now usually only the first day is bad.

I use the cream starting on the 14th day of my cycle to the 28th. I use .5 mls each day.

Post edited by: GeoKasher, at: 09/28/2010 02:48 PM

Bob, She didn`t look at anything I reminded her I have PAI but her only comment was that a low level is not good for anyone even if they don`t have AI...That was not the point I was trying to make.Good grief I clicked on those sites you listed & one was so confusing I started to laugh at myself.I was also laughing because of your opening line.I am so glad for you that you did not have to have a hysterectomy.But you could have been a celebrity on u-tube, or maybe be on Dr Phil or Opra.I am thinking I should call my Endo to ask about the progesterone before I start taking it. Sheila

I wear an estrogen patch called Climara. It is wonderful and does not cause the weight gain that the pills and such do. Tried the Progesterone, gave me terrible headaches. I had a complete hysterectomy when I was 27 so I have been on the patch ever since and my Endo says I can wear it until my last breath, so I do.