Menstrual cycle changes?

ramsounds

So I know this isn't the most pleasant topic, but here goes.

My cycle has been really, really off for about the last month. Following are all the details:

I very rarely got my period while I was being undermedicated for Hashimoto's. I understand it's very common to lose fertility/ovulation when your thyroid is underactive. About September of last year I finally got on a good dose of levo, levels weren't great but were improving. I lost about 5 pounds in a month and my period returned with a little bit of regularity. I also understand that sometimes losing weight can affect your cycle, and being very overweight OR underweight can make it stop.

Since then, I have upped my dose a few times and have lost anywhere from 15-30 lbs (I don't weigh very often, so I can't be sure). I am currently on 175 mcg levo and I take Junel (norethindrone acetate and ethinyl estradiol tablets) daily as bc. I take levo in the morning, Junel at night.

Anyway, in the last month or so, approximately when I switched my dose, I have had my period FOUR TIMES. Sometimes it is normal, sometimes it is very light. Nothing too inconveniencing, just annoying!

I wanted to ask you all before I flip out and call my endo/GYN, to make sure this could be a normal consequence of either my levo dose or the weight loss. Thanks y'all!

editorgrrl

I had zero menstrual symptoms whilst unmedicated hyperthyroid, unmedicated hypothyroid, on Synthroid, or on Synthroid + Cytomel.

Please call your gynocologist.

allergictodiets

Before I got pregnant with my DD my cycles were totally off - anywhere between 25 and 45 days! I have Hashi's as well but was misdiagnosed back then and treated for "normal" underfunction ( L-Thyroxine with iodine ). My TSH level was about 2.5. A new endo diagnosed me properly ( based on a scan, not a blood test ) and tries to keep my TSH level <= 1. My cycles have been 28-29 days for the last year or so ( fingers crossed that it stays like that ). Talk to your endo again.

Fuzzipeg

Yes. Allergic has the result one should hope for when your thyroid medication is as near normal for you as you can get. I would suggest a call to the endo to ensure your personal needs have not changed.

All the best.

ramsounds

Thanks, allergic and fuzzipeg (and thanks for the advice editorgrrl, I'm an editor myself ). Up until this month my cycles have gone basically back to 28 days, which is good. This is the only month so far that it has been a bit weird. I'll give them a call and see what they say. Thank you!

editorgrrl

I think we can attribute anything & everything to our wonky thyroids, rather than also pursuing other avenues of treatment. YMMV.

slieber

My age along with the hypo is contributing to wonky periods. If you are of an age to be peri-menopausal, then it might not be unusual to get your period like that. I had mine similarly a few month ago. This month, it was almost non-existent.

ramsounds

@slieber Ha! I am 24. None of that fun for me yet (though my mom is going through it, and I've heard your experience will be like your mother's... yikes!). I guess to update everyone, I kind of freaked when I put this post up, but it just turned out to be spotting, nbd. I think it's a combo of losing weight + new meds + working out that has made my hormone levels somewhat off and led to some intermittent spotting. I will keep an eye on it, though, and discuss with my various doctors when I see them next. Thank you again, everyone!

editorgrrl

Thanks so much for the update—and I'm glad you're ok!

Fuzzipeg

Pleased for you. Good to keep it under review. Its good to get on well with ones advisers.

slieber

Also be aware that even without any complications, a woman's body and cycle can change every 7 to 10 years or so. It's normal. Mine certainly did, well before I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism - about every 7-8 years there would be a change of some sort.