[Gerri]

Hi Laurel,

I am triple positive (not as highly as you) and was premenopausal when dx'd at age 52. My onc put me on Tamoxifen and the plan was to be on it for two years and then switch to an AI. The assumption was that by that time I would be postmenopausal. I had my FSH, LH and Estradiol levels checked periodically during treatment - they always came back as premenopausal. Right about the two year mark I started getting antsy to be put on an AI, mostly because I had read that poor metabolizers of Tamoxifen do not have hot flashes - I got very warm at best. I was getting more frequent warm flashes so my onc ran the levels again. Two out of three (LH and Estradiol) came back as postmenopausal. My FSH was still in the premenopausal range. My onc consulted an endochrinologist who recommended that I have a more in-depth test called the Anti Mullerian Hormone Test. It is also a blood test but most often has to be sent out for the results. Mine came back as being definitely postmenopausal so I started on Femara. My side effects are basically the same as when I was on Tamoxifen. I guess I just don't overheat as much as everyone else...for that I am grateful.

Best of luck to you. I hope your results show that you are officially postmenopausal and can move on to an AI. Who would have thought (pre dx) that we would be wishing to be declared postmenopausal - something most women dread....Ah, the crazy mixed-up world of bc.