what's up doc?

Oh yes, that is the question indeed.

I just got back from the doctor again.  My second set of blood work is back.

Thyroid, all three tests for it:  Normal
Lupus:  negative
Other hormones, aside from estrogen: normal range


This was good news, and calmed my heart a little, but they also didn't answer the big question.  Why is my estrogen so low!

I guess that a "kind of low" estrogen number is around 40.  Mine is 20.  Yup...a big fat 20.
That is the range where they diagnose it as ovarian failure.  So, as of right now, that is my diagnosis.

Oh, and guess what else.  It is not being caused by pre mature menopause!  I am over the moon about this.  Apparently, low estrogen is the cause and reason for menopause, but menopause isn't always the reason for low estrogen.  Think on that for about an hour, and get back to me.  hehehe

My body is showing a lot of symptoms and signs of low estrogen, because it is low.  Those can be the same symptoms as menopause, and can be easily confused. 

So, back to the original question.  The cause.
The doctor did an ultrasound and found quite a few cysts on one side.  He is now thinking along the lines of poly cystic ovarian syndrome. ( PCOS)  That could answer a lot of questions, and explain the pain.  He is also thinking possible endometriosis.

Either way, we will know nothing until the third set of blood tests come back.  Those will tell my true estrogen count, and show if it is consistently low.

If the number has dropped, I will for sure be completely infertile, even with medical help, and we will be back to square one on what the heck is happening.

If the number is the same, or still in the low range, I have a small chance of having more children...with some medical help, and we will continue looking into the cause.

If the number is normal...we will all be very confused and probably do more tests to check consistency.

So there it is. 
I have more hope.  I still worry about my body and what is going on, I am still dealing with a lot of nasty symptoms, and I pray every night for God's will to happen as far as fertility, but at least we are checking things off the list, one thing at a time.