Can someone help me please? Ive changed my dose of levo from 100 daily to 75/100 alternate, under the instructions of my endo.

[mandys]

Between her (endo) and GP (him) they say all my symptoms are down to early menopause, not thyroid related. They decided to put me on HRT, I gave in (wasn't really keen on the idea) the first one they put me on Elleste Duet was awful didn't agree with me. I phoned surgery and said I will try another which they gave me just before Xmas called Prempak C. As I only just picked it up about a couple of weeks ago, I wanted the other one out of my system as it was so so bad. I still haven't started on it yet as just got around to reading leaflet about it and on NHS website it says "your prescriber may only prescribe this medicine with care or may not at all if you are taking thyroid hormone replacement therapy"? Now Im even more confused, obviously don't want to take these now, do you think its safe to or will mess with my levo? BTW Im only 43 and because of this thyroid Im now early menopause. The endo did also say this would help with my swelling of legs well info says may cause swelling??

[Hidden]

I can confirm ( though I was older than you) that I was taking the same HRT which was doing nothing for me when my underactive thyroid was finally diagnosed and was immediately taken off the HRT before starting on Levothyroxine.I think I should not have been on HRT in the first place and that it was thyroxine that was needed all along........(all down to those pesky NHS lab test ranges I suspect!)

[mandys in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for reply, I did get my levels checked and GP said estrogen was under 70 so needed to be on HRT I've had 3 periods since January 2013. So they will not look into thyroid as they both state my ongoing symptoms are due to menopause. I know you can't tell me what to do, but advising me you came off it is suggesting to me not to take it. GP has made me an appointment with a practice nurse (one that specializes in HRT) end of February.

[Hidden in reply to mandys]

Your situation is somewhat different to that which mine was Mandy.At that time I had just lost both parents within 5 weeks of each other and driving down our local by pass I felt very shaky and went to my surgery as it had scared me.I was told I was grieving and offered three choices.....anti depressants,counselling or HRT.

As I was in my menopause I took the HRT option though as I say it did nothing and for me was no miracle drug!

Years later after two tests for my thyroid it finally showed up that I was underactive,which I had suspected for ages as my mother had suffered hormone problems.

I imagine that the menopause and changing hormone levels can be a time when thyroid problems show up as well as times of stress.

I am surprised that you are on both HRT and Levo at the same time but perhaps someone else is better able to advise.

The fact that you are already on Levo,do you have any blood test results that you can post here which would help someone advise you regarding your thyroid ?

[mandys in reply to Hidden]

Sorry to hear about your parents, not surprised your body went through the mill.

My last results were b12 382 (200-900)

TSH 0.27(0.35-5.0)

T3 4.2 (3.5-6.5)

T4 19.3 (9-24)

These were may 2013

I am getting tested for t3, t4, TSH, vit D and ferritin end of feb (just read endo note on blood test form - tired on t4 peri menopause) requested by endo. I have been under active and on Levo 100mcg for 14 years. I was told to split dose as rapid heart rate 90+

[Hidden in reply to mandys]

Thank you Mandy .....it was however a long time ago now( 1992)

You have a comprehensive list of results there which could be commented on.....more than I've had done though 2 of them that I know strike me as significant...... TSH at under 1 may be termed suppressed and B12 may be interpreted as lowish.

I think if you don't get further replies here I would post them under a separate question to ask for them to be interpreted for you ......All Best Wishes.X

[silverfox7]

Be very careful. Many years ago I went to GP to ask if I could increase my thyroid meds. I was told yes but as I was leaving I said that I hadn't had a period for 6 months so had a blood test and was told menopausal and put on HRT, never given chance to consider and it was a relative new thing then. Took for ten years with little problem though needed to increase Levo. GP read that shouldn't be on it for more that 10 years so was stopped. Started going downhill with very little help from surgery so went to visit the GP who originally put me on Levo-now in private practice- who took me back to first principles with basal temperature readings. I returned a few months later and was told what I suspected- I was still ovulating! Not every month but I've always had ovulating pain so suspected. So that's 15 years after GP said in menopause! Methinks I only needed to up my thyroid which is why I went to surgery in the first place!