hormones

iVillage Member
Registered: 07-26-2004
hormones
2
Tue, 09-28-2004 - 2:56pm
I have been having lots of btb from (I guess) seasonale. Been on it for 2 months. Now my gyno is concerned about my low blood count and is having me go to a hematologist. I'm also amemic. Hemoglobin is 9.6. Do you know how much you need to bleed to lower the hemoglobin level? I have some clotting and I worry that I will need another blood transfusion. Had one in June. He is thinking that I have a hormone imbalance or maybe something else. If it is, how do they treat it? Pills? I still would like to have kids one day. What do they test for? Could it be something life threatning?

I have another appt with another gyno this week for a second opinion. I think having a woman dr instead of a man will help especially one that I can talk to. Can't talk to my current dr...just walks out when I ask a question. If I really like the new dr how do I get my files to her?

Sorry for sounding worried but I'm really stressed out and would like some support.





iVillage Member
Registered: 12-30-2003
In reply to: stoutheart33
Tue, 09-28-2004 - 10:25pm
Hi stoutheart33, welcome back!

I can't answer your question about the relationship of menstrual bleeding to your hemoglobin level. Your hematologist can probably help you there. As far as switching doctors as concerned, once you have determined who will be your new doctor ask your old docs. office staff to send your files to her. I hope you get good news! Let us know how you're doing, ok?

Good luck,

      Jill

    

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
In reply to: stoutheart33
Wed, 09-29-2004 - 12:41am
Hormone imbalances, from what I understand, are found through blood tests. But if you're taking Seasonale, there may not be a point to testing your hormones, as the pills are going to be affecting your reproductive hormones _a lot_. And hormone imbalances are often treated with other hormones. Sometimes it's birth control pills, sometimes it's other stuff.

Many women have bleeding in their first cycle on Seasonale, at least 60%. It doesn't have to be because of a hormone imbalance, sometimes it's just that the body isn't used to the hormones yet, which can take a few cycles. Has your doctor suggested stopping the active pills for a week and starting back up again? You might ask about that, it could help get the bleeding to stop.

As far as being anemic, that's really a question for a hematologist!

And about the doctors, as Jill said, once you figure out which doctor you'd rather see, you can write a letter (has to be in writing) to request that your charts be sent from your old doc to the new one. Some will do this for free, some will charge a fee for the copies.

Good luck, I hope everything is just fine!

Judie
Co-cl for Birth Control
Judie Cl for Birth Control