Hypothyroid & Menstration
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bmskid
Posts: 153 Member
Hello there. I'm new to the group, and I'm hoping to learn from your experiences.
I've had zero thyroid function for the past 16 years (I'm 27 years old). I've been on different levels of sythroid every since then, and I have it checked around every 6 months, depending on whether or not the dosage has been changed. It very often has to be changed. I am currently on 250 MCG, which I take in the mornings on empty stomach. I'm also on birth control pills, that I've been on steadily for the last 2.5 years (since my youngest daughter was born) and had been on before I had any children.
Current predicament:
I see a military doctor, at an Air Force base. While I don't want to bad mouth them, they're not exactly known for their awesomeness, and they do not follow patients' histories very well, so I really have to be my own advocate.
I last had my thyroid tested in late June because it hadn't been tested for 6 months and I needed a refill on medicine.
I requested the lab work through the nurse, gave the blood, and scheduled an appointment for 8 days later (it takes 7 days to receive the lab results).
The day I was supposed to have the appt, we had a family emergency come up and had to go out of town. I asked if they would call me with the results instead. They called and said that the TSH was just out of normal range (5.4 to be exact) and they still base the normal range from 0.4-4. Since it was "just slightly" out of range, the doctor wasn't going to change my medicine. They didn't mention the results of the T4, or whether they take it. Though I disagreed with the steps, I just said okay.
For my whole life (since being on synthroid), I have had very regular periods that last 6-7 days.
In July, my period came one week sooner than it should have, but I thought it was just a fluke.
The same thing happened in August and I started writing down the information (start date, end date).
My last period was from August 21 to August 29th. Today (September 12) I started a period again.
I called and asked for another lab test, and even though she ordered the test, she acted like I was stupid to think it was connected to my thyroid. Has anyone experienced a connection? Googling showed me that it is true, that more frequent periods can be caused by hypothyroidism. The problem is that I've still been losing weight and I would think that if my levels were abnormal, that I wouldn't be losing weight any longer. I do have a few other symptoms that COULD be linked (but could also be totally unrelated). I won't have any results for 7 whole days.
I've had zero thyroid function for the past 16 years (I'm 27 years old). I've been on different levels of sythroid every since then, and I have it checked around every 6 months, depending on whether or not the dosage has been changed. It very often has to be changed. I am currently on 250 MCG, which I take in the mornings on empty stomach. I'm also on birth control pills, that I've been on steadily for the last 2.5 years (since my youngest daughter was born) and had been on before I had any children.
Current predicament:
I see a military doctor, at an Air Force base. While I don't want to bad mouth them, they're not exactly known for their awesomeness, and they do not follow patients' histories very well, so I really have to be my own advocate.
I last had my thyroid tested in late June because it hadn't been tested for 6 months and I needed a refill on medicine.
I requested the lab work through the nurse, gave the blood, and scheduled an appointment for 8 days later (it takes 7 days to receive the lab results).
The day I was supposed to have the appt, we had a family emergency come up and had to go out of town. I asked if they would call me with the results instead. They called and said that the TSH was just out of normal range (5.4 to be exact) and they still base the normal range from 0.4-4. Since it was "just slightly" out of range, the doctor wasn't going to change my medicine. They didn't mention the results of the T4, or whether they take it. Though I disagreed with the steps, I just said okay.
For my whole life (since being on synthroid), I have had very regular periods that last 6-7 days.
In July, my period came one week sooner than it should have, but I thought it was just a fluke.
The same thing happened in August and I started writing down the information (start date, end date).
My last period was from August 21 to August 29th. Today (September 12) I started a period again.
I called and asked for another lab test, and even though she ordered the test, she acted like I was stupid to think it was connected to my thyroid. Has anyone experienced a connection? Googling showed me that it is true, that more frequent periods can be caused by hypothyroidism. The problem is that I've still been losing weight and I would think that if my levels were abnormal, that I wouldn't be losing weight any longer. I do have a few other symptoms that COULD be linked (but could also be totally unrelated). I won't have any results for 7 whole days.
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Is it possible to see a doctor off base? A TSH of 5.4 is definitely not ideal and yes, having a thyroid problem can mess with your cycle in all kinds of ways.0
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I'm fairly new to hypothyroid but my cycle usually starts on the 23rd day, so close to 3 weeks. It is pretty clockwork. I am on medication but I'm still running a little hypo but they don't want to increase my dosage too quick. Never thought about that all being connected!0
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Is it possible to see a doctor off base? A TSH of 5.4 is definitely not ideal and yes, having a thyroid problem can mess with your cycle in all kinds of ways.
I could, if they refer me to an off-base doctor. Or I could go to an off-base doctor and pay out-of-pocket, but I can't go while using insurance without "permission". I suppose I'll try for a referral if the results come back out-of-range again.0 -
From my own experience, when my levels are off, my period is totally strange (and I'm usually very regular)- earlier, spottier, just off. So I think the two can definitely be related.
I'd definitely see if you can get a referral to an endo off-base if your military doctor isn't super up on thyroid disease (maybe ask a few questions about conversion of T4-T3, interactions with vitamin D, etc., and see if they'll offer a referral up front.)
Good luck and I hope you'll be back to normal levels soon. -And congrats on the weight loss- that's awesome!
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From my own experience, when my levels are off, my period is totally strange (and I'm usually very regular)- earlier, spottier, just off. So I think the two can definitely be related.
I'd definitely see if you can get a referral to an endo off-base if your military doctor isn't super up on thyroid disease (maybe ask a few questions about conversion of T4-T3, interactions with vitamin D, etc., and see if they'll offer a referral up front.)
Good luck and I hope you'll be back to normal levels soon. -And congrats on the weight loss- that's awesome!
Thank you. That's helpful. I tried going the round-about way and asking for a "second opinion" referral (which is a real thing), but they said that since I haven't been seeing an endocrinologist on base (doesn't exist), I have to wait for a referral from the doctor. In the meantime, I'm just trying not to think about it too much.0 -
Agree with maracuya23. Ask for a referral to an endo and keep pushing for tests for T4 and T3. I don't believe that 5.4 is "just outside the normal range." I just went for a followup with my endo who said normal range ran to 2.5. (I believe the "normal" range has been ajusted in the not too distant past).
At the top of this group discussion are some fantastic links with great information. Go armed to the doctor. WIshing you luck!0 -
There is definitely a connection. My Dr lowered my dose a year ago and my periods were horrible. I was also on the pill. I ended up having a hysterectomy at age 36 because of fibroids that wouldn't stop bleeding. I know it may not have been my thyroid meds to blame but I hadn't been having problems until my dose was lowered. I think seeing an endo is a great idea!! Regular MDs. Are so clueless on thyroid problems from my experience.0
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Agree with maracuya23. Ask for a referral to an endo and keep pushing for tests for T4 and T3. I don't believe that 5.4 is "just outside the normal range." I just went for a followup with my endo who said normal range ran to 2.5. (I believe the "normal" range has been ajusted in the not too distant past).
At the top of this group discussion are some fantastic links with great information. Go armed to the doctor. WIshing you luck!
holy cow I spent 2 hours last night reading just ONE of those websites. Thank you very much... they were very helpful!!0 -
I had an absolutely horrible time with my periods due to the hashi's. I would spot for a week...have my period for a full week...have a week off...and then start back over with the spotting again. It was also extremely heavy. Unfortunately even after getting my levels normal and keeping them there, the periods never eased up. I actually ended up getting Mirena and they have almost disappeared I also just want to say that I cannot believe your doctor would do nothing with your levels being 5.4. You really need to push for a referral and find a doctor that listens to how you are feeling as well as the numbers. I was still symptomatic even though my levels were at 2.5 so my doc upped my dose and we found that MY normal is closer to 1.4. 0
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Aw man! Mine last foreeeeeever but aren't very heavy. I'm on Day 7, which is one day longer than what's normal, but it doesn't seem to be ending anytime soon. Im glad you got that worked out! I called the nurse today to see if my results are in and she said that ONE of the results are in and that they'll have the other by today or tomorrow. Since there are two, that means that the TSH was out of range. They only test TSH and then if its abnormal, they test T4 and free T4. I did go ahead and ask about a referral and she's going to ask the doctor! Hopefully I'll have some progress with it by the end of the week! Thank God! Meanwhile, my symptoms seem to be getting more and more prevalent. More fatigued, colder often, trouble focusing. Maybe it's just because I'm paying attention now. Haha. Thanks everyone for your help!0
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My husband is retired Air Force, and we see a primary on-base here in Las Vegas. But I was immediately referred to an off-base endocrinologist when I was diagnosed with Graves' disease in 2007. So there's no reason your primary should not refer you to an endocrinologist off-base. And it doesn't take long AT ALL for that referral to be processed. The doctor types it into their little computer system, and you should be able to make an appointment a week later.
I would recomment asking your primary for a referral.0 -
Well, I wanted to update you guys about my appointment. It was awful.
First, I told him why I was there: I think my medicine is wrong, I feel the hypothyroid symptoms, and most importantly the period coming every two weeks. Reiterate the zero thyroid function and complete dependency on medicine, so perhaps I should switch to Armour.
He responded by asking if I understand the thyroid. I told him yes, that I've done a lot of research the last two weeks waiting for my appointment. He then went on to explain it anyway. I told him that my TSH was out of range and that I thought it curious why my T4 and Free T4 would be high when my TSH is high. He tells me that my TSH was high because my pituitary gland wanted my body to make more T4, and likely they tested my blood at a time where my body was producing the extra T4 the pituitary gland was asking for. So, of course, I have to say, "my thyroid can't make T4. It's totally dependent on the amount of T4 the medicine gives me, and isn't effected by the TSH." to which he asks, "who told you that your thyroid doesn't work?" I later asked if my T3 has ever been tested and he told me that (and I'm quoting this), "T3 is completely useless to us. T4 is what we need to know about."
Obviously it went a little downhill from there, but the result is that I got a referral!!!!! Thank God. I hated every second of the appointment and want to hide under a rock now, but I got what I NEEDED. Along with the referral, I asked for my last 3 lab results. They're all over the place and I don't even know what to think now:
December 2012 dosage: 250 MCG
TSH: 1.75 (range 0.3-4.5)
T4: didn't test
Free T4: 1.5 (range 0.9-1.7)
July 2013 dosage: 250 MCG
TSH: 5.38 (range 0.3-4.5)
T4: 11.3 (range 4.5-12.0)
Free T4: 1.5 (range 0.9-1.7)
September 2013 dosage: 250 MCG
TSH: 1.0 (range 0.3-4.5)
T4: 16.8 (range 4.5-12.0)
Free T4: didn't test
I'm so glad I will be able to go to an endocrinologist. Hopefully it won't be a whole week before I get the referral in the mail. Thank you all for your help learning and advocating for myself.0 -
So glad to hear you're going to an endocrinologist! Those are some very strange results, and a specialist sounds like they'd be much better to able to decipher them. Odd that they tested your total T4 and not your free T4. Wonder if you have some kind of reverse-T3 problem or a T4-T3 conversion issue. If you haven't, definitely have them check your nutritional status for Vit D and other common deficiencies (ferritin/ iron, B-12, etc, since maybe it's possible you can't properly convert your medicine due to a lack of vitamins that aid in the conversion process.) Hope you start feeling much better soon!0
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So glad to hear you're going to an endocrinologist! Those are some very strange results, and a specialist sounds like they'd be much better to able to decipher them. Odd that they tested your total T4 and not your free T4. Wonder if you have some kind of reverse-T3 problem or a T4-T3 conversion issue. If you haven't, definitely have them check your nutritional status for Vit D and other common deficiencies (ferritin/ iron, B-12, etc, since maybe it's possible you can't properly convert your medicine due to a lack of vitamins that aid in the conversion process.) Hope you start feeling much better soon!
Thank you! I'm so relieved I got a referral. It's such a weight lifted off of me. I'm hoping he will want to do Free T3 and I'm also hoping to convince him to test for the antibodies for Hashimoto's. I was diagnosed at 12, but all I and my parents remember is "it doesn't work". It would be nice to know for sure that it's Hashi's. I assume those antibodies will still be present, anyway. I'll also ask for those nutritional deficiencies tests. I know for sure that I haven't been consuming enough iron since November 2012 (when I started logging my food daily), but I don't know if that necessarily means I would be deficient. Anyway, thank you for your response. I will be sure to update again when I see the endocrinologist! I heard from another patient of this endo that the lab work only takes 2 days for results, so I'm pretty excited about the small wait-time. 0 -
Do you have any inflamation around your neck area? Feeling any other symptoms such as fatique, achiness? I was diagnosed with hypo back in the 90's and have been on synthroid/levoxyl since. However, at the end of 2009 - when I was purchasing my first home, I got swelling in my neck/throat and when it finally started feeling hard to swallow, I went in. Was tested and had an ultrasound on my throat and diagnosed with Hashis. Hashimotos thyroiditis <--the itis part means inflamation
I am being closely monitored with an ultrasound every year and had a biopsy that year on two large nodules. Luckily, they raise my med and the swelling comes down - so I've been trying to stay away from unnecessary biopsies. However, thyroid cancer is very common so I need this monitoring.
My menstruals have always been heavy and I have a couple of fibroids as well. Hypothryoidism can cause soooo many symptoms! I hope you get a good Endo that helps you resolve your mystery levels.0 -
Do you have any inflamation around your neck area? Feeling any other symptoms such as fatique, achiness? I was diagnosed with hypo back in the 90's and have been on synthroid/levoxyl since. However, at the end of 2009 - when I was purchasing my first home, I got swelling in my neck/throat and when it finally started feeling hard to swallow, I went in. Was tested and had an ultrasound on my throat and diagnosed with Hashis. Hashimotos thyroiditis <--the itis part means inflamation I am being closely monitored with an ultrasound every year and had a biopsy that year on two large nodules. Luckily, they raise my med and the swelling comes down - so I've been trying to stay away from unnecessary biopsies. However, thyroid cancer is very common so I need this monitoring.
My menstruals have always been heavy and I have a couple of fibroids as well. Hypothryoidism can cause soooo many symptoms! I hope you get a good Endo that helps you resolve your mystery levels.
I actually had an ultrasound on it about a year or two ago, and it was "slightly" enlarged. Of course, that came from the same doctor who said 5.8 is "slightly" out of range, so who knows what that means! Thank you for your insight. I hope your swelling continues to stay at bay. How troublesome and worrisome that must be! I have a friend who had the swelling and nodule issue. She kept having to have biopsies and, even though they never found cancer, decided to have it removed because she was sick of getting the biopsies! Like you, she didn't want to skip biopsies just in case.0 -
Thanks! When do you get to see the new Endo? Hopefully, you don't have any swelling..but...ultrasounds aren't that bad, I guess..better to be safe than sorry. I just hate having to deal with now having an auto-immune condition (Hashis). I have luckily been feeling pretty good this year but keep getting severly low on vitamin D. So low, my doc has to give me an 8 week regimine of a high dosage (once a week) pill. It usually does the trick but low vitamin D symptoms are a lot like low thyroid symptoms.
Onward and upward! :-)0 -
Still waiting for my referral to come in the mail. My period started again yesterday (two weeks since the last one ended) and much more painful than what is typical, and a few days ago my hair started falling out in larger quantities. It almost always sheds a little, but this is a whole different ball game than I've ever experienced. I hate having to wait so long.
In the meantime, I've been doing more reading, and I wondered if any of you "chew" your thyroid pill? Apparently that's a thing... a way to make the pills absorb better? I had never even considered it. I think it wouldn't work for me, being that I think my problem lies in the T4 to T3 conversion. I was just curious, though, about if any of you do that.0 -
Chew it? Never heard of that. I was having trouble with my Synthroid absorption but my tests all came back the way they were supposed to. The endo had no advice, they simply told me to follow the rules. I had to discover on my own (actually through these kind people in this forum) that the longer you wait to eat after the pill the better, and to drink it with a full glass of water (I was only taking sips to get the pill down). That made a world of difference and I finally feel great. So far, this is the first I've seen about chewing a pill. I imagine all the R&D that goes into pills would make absorption as efficient as possible. Chewable pills are labeled as such and I imagine are manufactured in a completely different way so that they can be chewed and retain their efficacy.0
