Getting oestrogen level checked by GP on the NHS query

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Hello

I am wondering if somebody could help me with my query please.

I am 49 years old and post menopause (due to surgical menopause in October 2021 due to ovarian cancer) and I have ovarian cancer and endometrial cancer both of which were oestrogen receptor positive. Thankfully both were diagnosed as being at stage 1.

I believe it can be a fine line about managing oestrogen when post menopause as if it is too low this can cause osteoporosis however I would like to keep my oestrogen level naturally low to minimise the risk of future recurrence of my cancers and I am aware of the potential link to breast cancer too. I ensure I have healthy levels of vitamin D, K2 and calcium for my bones.

I have never had my oestrogen level checked by my GP but this is something I would like to request. Is it simply a blood test that they take or are other women on here finding GPs are reluctant to do this test? Or can I simply ask to have my oestrogen level checked at my GP practice?

Also I believe avoiding or keeping alcohol, coffee, red and processed meat and dairy to a minimum is sensible but does anybody else have any tips as to how I can naturally keep my oestrogen level low please? Food to eat or other types of food to avoid? I should add I do not have my ovaries anymore (both ovaries were removed when I had my hysterectomy) and I'm not overweight (slim but definitely not underweight) so don't think I have much fat on me (height 5'5" and weigh 9 stone) as I was gratefully informed on this forum that post menopause women make oestrogen in their fat cells.

Thank you for any help and advice.

Etna over 3 years ago

Hmm I'm still having periods so still producing oestrogen.

But will be having hormone therapy to stop this, as I have breast cancer.

I always thought that of overies were removed you no longer produce it.

I think no harm in requesting blood tests.

As for food I think soya is a well known for increasing it, if your eating it I'm large amounts I would of thought, so it's worth looking into that.

I'm still learning myself,

Hope this help,

HappyFeet1 over 3 years ago

Hi Sarah16, sorry you find yourself here. I’m also interested in reducing oestrogen through diet even though I’m on hormone therapy (Anastrozole), as I know it doesn’t guarantee non recurrence. A lovely lady here used to post a link for a list of oestrogen reducing foods so I’ll tag her - hope you don’t mind lesleyhelen. Also another lady here seems to be great at researching and posting interesting stuff - hope you don’t mind either Londonmumof2!

I did look into soya as I use soya ‘milk’ in my hot drinks (oat milk for porridge) as I’ve long avoided dairy for ethical reasons. From what I read, things like soya milk, tofu, tempeh and edamame beans seem to be regarded as beneficial, while ultra processed soya products often found in veggie burgers and sausages are not. So I stick to quorn or bean based versions if I want that type of food.
Re getting your oestrogen levels checked, I’d be really interested if you manage this as I’ve often thought that all of us with oestrogen receptive cancers should be getting this as a matter of course. But it’s never been mentioned. I’ve been on Anastrozole for over 3 years with no blood tests or monitoring. I think that’s usual.
Good luck with your quest and I’ll follow with interest. Love and hugs, HFxx

HappyFeet1 xx

Don’t be afraid to cry. It will free your mind of sorrowful thoughts. – Hopi

lesleyhelen over 3 years ago in reply to HappyFeet1

Hi HappyFeet1

Of course I don't mind you tagging me

I've not been able to 'insert files' for a long time, so I'll have to cut and paste, but tabbing along the spreadsheet hopefully will help. It's a list of vegetarian food with their vitamins. (I've been vegetarian for 41 years, so it didn't occur to me to do meats - sorry!)

At the bottom is ER reducing foods. This is all based on me just doing research, so I hope it's accurate, but don't class it as gospel...

eggs

yellow veg

red veg

green leafy

broccoli

brussell

cabbage

carrots

corn

nuts

olive

peas

potatoes

seeds

sweet

cereals

fruit

Bananas

oranges

strawberries

whole grain

B/rice

wheatflour

tomatoes

peanuts

veg

sprouts

oil

potatoes

breads

Vit A(0.6mg)

immune/eyes

> 1.5mg bad(S)

B1 (0.8mg)

nerves

B2 (1.1mg)

nerves/eyes

B3(13.2mg)

nerves

pontothenic acid

food energy rel

B6 (1.2mg)

store protein

red blood cells

breaks down fat

varied diet

Folic Acid(200mcg)

red blood cells

B12 (1.5mcg)

nerves

red blood cells

Vit C (40mg)

cells/bone/cuts

not stored (NS)

Vit D (10mcg)

bones/muscle

Vit E(3mg)

eyes/immune

Kit K (65mcg)

wounds/clotting

stored in liver

Calcium (700mg)

Iodine(0.14mg)

Iron(8.7mg)

zinc(7mg)

wounds healing

ER reduction

apples

black

black-

broccoli

brussel

butternut

cabbage

carrots

cauli-

celery

cherries

cucum

flaxseed

fresh

ginger

red

green

greens

kale

lettuce

mustard

olive

all onions

pomegra-

rasp-

almonds

pepper

berries

sprouts

squash

flower

ber

garlic

grapes

tea

oil

nate juice

berries

rice

saffron

straw-

tomat-

tumeric

walnuts

water

water-

brown

berries

oes

cress

melon

Etna over 3 years ago in reply to lesleyhelen

Hi,

I was just looking at your list of ER reducing foods, it's interesting as I eat some of them already, my partner cooks with all those herbs & spices.

I wil keep this up, ,

Can i ask soya dosent increase it ? as I use to work in a health shop it was a known estrogen raiser ?

Thanks

Boaterry over 3 years ago in reply to HappyFeet1

Hi. I'm also interested in oestrogen reducing foods. I've been on Letrozole since Sept.

Londonmumof2 over 3 years ago in reply to Etna

Soda isolate is no-no, and found in some plant- based nuggets, burgers etc. M&S sell ones with pea- protein which is better for the environment (and they taste good too!) If you are ER+ then cheese should be kept to a minimum. Los if women on hormone blockers find that turmeric helps with joint pain and is considered ok, but you should avoid curcumin.

“Remember to look up at the stars and not down at your feet. Stephen Hawking,

Etna over 3 years ago in reply to Londonmumof2

Ah interesting, I don't eat dairy as I'm allergic,I only have soya sometimes that's in food eg , chocolate or added ingredients in food ,I don't eat plant based as it has wheat and I'm sensitive to it.

Might cut back on the soya anyway.I do have pea protein sometimes,

Is coconut milk ok? I drink alot of this,

Are their any foods that reduce progesterone and decrease it , My ER =7 my PR =4.

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Getting oestrogen level checked by GP on the NHS query