Estradiol level?

[Chelee]

I had a FSH and it came back at 22 so my onc said she would put me on Femara. I mentioned to her the other cancer center said I should be on Tamoxifen since they felt I was peri-menopausal before I started chemo. (Which they are right, I was peri-meno.) My onc said instantly "Tamoxifen WILL bring your cancer back!" She was serious. She said I have to be on Femara.

Since my FSH results were 22, my onc said that it was "close enough" to be considered menopausal? I asked what the # SHOULD be at? She said they like you to be 20 or lower...but 22 is "good enough" for Femara?

(Well I read Femara doesn't do you any good if you aren't completely in menopause?) But in all honesty, I don't know? I mentioned my concern about Femara if I was NOT fully into menopause. So she ordered a drug called "Zoladex". She said it was to shut down my ovaries.

I have heard of Lupron, but not Zoladex? Is one better then another? And is 22 really LOW enough to have Femara work *without* Zoladex? Because if she is right...I rather NOT have the Zoladex. Any time I can NOT add another drug to my body...I am happy. But I don't want to take the femara if I am NOT really menopausal. Anyone have any info on this or can point me in a direction.

How come I have only heard of Lupron and NOT Zoladex...is it new? Sorry for all the questions.

Chelee

[Yorkiegirl]

OK, I know that my FSH level was 62, and that meant that I was in menapause.


The higher the number for FSH means menapause.
Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) Menstruating women

(follicular or luteal phase):

5–20 international units per liter (IU/L)

(midcycle peak):

30–50 IU/L

Women past menopause:

Greater than 50 IU/L




My Estrodiol level was 6 , the lower the number means menapause.

Normal Values Estrodiol

Female (premenopausal): 20 to 400 pg/ml

Female (postmenopausal): 5 to 25 pg/ml

[Chelee]

Yorkiegirl, Thanks for your reply. Its much appreciated...more then you know.

Chelee