I'm 22, and I have hot flashes. Two different doctors have checked my hormone level and said my estrogen level was a little low but not low enough to cause hot flashes. They both said I shouldn't be having hot flashes, but I'm still having them. I was told my level was 85. Is that low enough to cause hot flashes? If not, what else is causing this?

Allison

Estrogen levels fluctuate so widely over the course of a menstrual cycle that knowing a number is not helpful unless I also know exactly when in your cycle the test was drawn: 85 is perfectly fine early in your cycle, but is low if it was drawn midcycle.

Still, at 22, you should not be having hot flashes due to low estrogen levels. There are many other possible causes. Some medications may cause hot flashes. You may feel warmer if you are overweight. An overactive thyroid may lead to hot flashes. Anxiety or panic attacks are frequently associated with hot flashes. Pregnant women often have hot flashes. If you are hypoglycemic or have low blood pressure, you may have hot flash-like sensations.

If you are continuing to have these symptoms, see your doctor for a complete physical. You may be better off seeing a family doctor or an internist rather than a gynecologist because we specialists tend to concentrate on our particular areas.