Can menopause trigger hypothyroidism?

[M33R4]

When I turned 50 (few years ago now) over a few months my health changed, I developed weakness, brain fog, insomnia, heat intolerance, poor appetite, joint aches, atrophy etc etc. I even stopped exercising when I had been reasonably fit before.

GP sent off some bloods and called me within days to start me on Levothyroxine. Even on Levo, the brain fog was not lifting and the insomnia and heat intolerance continued. I asked for a hormone test and the results showed me to be menopausal. I was started on HRT too.

The battle to get my thyroid levels normal continue, 5 years on nearly. I tried the Thai dessicated porcine thyroid for a year but my bloods were never stable. One blood test would be normal and another on the same medications wouldn't be normal. After trying different brands, I returned to Levothyroxine but added T3. Now, my TSH remains abnormal but T4 and T3 are normal so I ignore the TSH, rightly or wrongly. As Levo has taken over the job of my thyroid gland why would my TSH be normal right?

My menopause symptoms treatment however is a constant learning curve and I've not found one that suits me 100% yet, if there is indeed 100% achievable?

I was started on Estradot, then Estradiol, then the gel, then the spray, then the vaginal oestrogen, then Tibolone, then back to Estradot at a higher dose, then I stopped dead, because..... past few months, I was bleeding my insides out for 2 months without a break; using Always night time pads 24 hours a day, which are the heaviest absorbing one, changing them every 2 hours and having to also use a tampon! I am born mildly anaemic and this was tipping me over. Breathless, sunken eyes, dark under eyes, losing hair, and so on. Having to stop when walking my dog gasping loudly for air.

GP has put me on Evorel Conti patch which is a combo of oestrogen and progestogen. I started it 3 weeks ago, and had spotting and a period 2 weeks into it. It was manageable as it was like a regular period before I had the menopause. So far it has helped me sleep better, my heat is less frequent, my hair is less dry but I need more help with the brain fog.

I digress....so my thyroid was diagnosed same time as my menopause = is there a link?

[Lizzo30]

Looking back at your previous posts I can't help but think if you were put on DHEA it might have really helped you -DHEA helps menopause restores testosterone helps thyroid and adrenal glands I take 5 mg every morning

[M33R4 in reply to Lizzo30]

Thank you - please PM with the one you have tried and tested please. Much appreciated friend.

[wobblybee Administrator]

🙂 To reach the widest community related to Thyroid issues see..

healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk

[M33R4 in reply to wobblybee]

Thank you - I am on there too.

[Lavender-Blue]

Maybe cut and paste your question and put on the thyroid forum....they are very knowledgeable on there. X