Brief Answer: Your hormone levels are OK Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to health care magic. I understand your concern for HRT after the melanoma and family history of breast cancer. Let me first clarify a few things. Your hormone reports are completely normal considering the standard reference ranges and your age and menopausal status. If the lab that tested your hormones has a different reference range for comparing the levels then maybe they are abnormal. I would appreciate if you could provide the ranges for different hormones [they are usually mentioned with the report]. Your cortisol if OK, TSH is also OK so there is no need to take synthrod at all. B12, fish all, D3 are all needed for our every day good health. So taking them will not cause any harm. Now about HRT and bioidentical cremes: these cremes contain the same drugs or similar drugs [hormones] that are used for HRT. Their source is natural [plants, cereals etc]. But some preparations contain these drugs in concentrated form like tablets cremes or patches. So they may have the same effects as HRT. Another thing about HRT is that it is not used to manage anxiety [ I said this because I understand from your query that this was the main reason for beginning HRT, please correct me if this is not the issue]. HRT is used primarily to protect your bones from becoming weak after menopause. It also prevents menopausal symptoms like hot flashes. It may help with mood swings. It is to be used for a short term only at very low doses just enough to prevent these effects. Exact research data on effect of HRT in causing breast cancer in females with a positive family history of breast cancer is not available. Most of the studies say that the risk of HRT does not add to the risk posed by family history. Both act independently. HRT poses similar risk of breast cancer in females with or without a positive family history. The additional risk due to family history remains and is independent of HRT. However it is better to exercise caution. For me as a physician you have two options. 1. try HRT for short term 2-3 months to get over the symptoms. 2. try anti anxiety drugs like klonopin after consulting a behavioral therapist. The second option is a better one as it may be continued for long term if needed. Also try lifestyle changes exercise like morning and evening walk, eat more fruits and green vegetables as well as sprouts and soya as they contain natural estrogen which is used in HRT. Talk and spend time with your friends, do not stay awake for long and meditate daily. These will benefit in the long term and maybe you will be able to control the anxiety without needing drugs. Hope this satisfies your query. Thanks for using HCM. Feel free to ask any more questions that you may have. Dr Madhuri Bagde Consultant Obstetrician and Gynecologist

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