Hrt

[bennion666568]

Getting a little worried about consultant wantIng me to trial HRT. I am reading that it can make medication less active

She has told me that I have thyroid hormone resistance surely will this mot make it worse?

[PoppyRose]

Hello benion. Yes you're right. It is known that you usually need an increase of thyroxin when put on HRT. It's the estrogen. My surgery aren't aware of this as I found out when I told them. There is research out there. I was put on it twice. Second time being now although supposedly this time the correct prescription. and I have terrible side effects which will be dealt with as soon as I return from my holidays. Aren't they just fobbing you off with this rather than dealing with the main issue? Or do you actually need it? Please check first.

[shaws Administrator]

You are correct and your Endo wrong. The excerpts are below with links re HRT.

This is an excerpt re Thyroid Hormone Resistance from Dr Lowe's archived site:-

Dr. Lowe: If a patient has either "general" or "pituitary" resistance to thyroid hormone, this is indicated by the results of thyroid function tests. However, our studies suggest that perhaps 40% of fibromyalgia patients have "peripheral" tissue resistance to thyroid hormone—not pituitary or general resistance.

Patients who have peripheral tissue resistance to thyroid hormone have normal thyroid test results before treatment with thyroid hormone. So, we don't know that they have peripheral resistance until we've treated them with plain T3. (Of course, we treat them with T3 as part of more comprehensive metabolic rehabilitation). A three-part therapeutic outcome tells us which patients have peripheral resistance.

web.archive.org/web/2010103...

This is an excerpt from the BTA:-

Conclusions

Thyroid disorders may cause similar symptoms to the menopause. HRT and phytoestrogen supplements don’t seem to affect normal thyroid function, but may reduce the absorption of thyroxine medication in those with hypothyroidism.

This article was written by Dr Jackie Gilbert and it was included in issue 54 (Autumn 2012) of The Menopause Exchange newsletter.

btf-thyroid.org/index.php/t...

healthboards.com/boards/men...

[bennion666568 in reply to shaws]

Thank you, I know that T3 only is the next step if this doesn't work. I can't see any consultant prescribing the high dosage of T3 that may be needed. I would have to go it alone and this terrifies me not knowing what I am doing

[shaws Administrator in reply to bennion666568]

There may be a hint in this link for you.

stopthethyroidmadness.com/t...

(and vice versa)

[silverfox7]

I would think very carefully about taking HRT in the first place though I don't know your age etc. I went 6 months without a period and had no problem I thought in that direction but remembered my gran, she brought me up, telling me she was a lot younger than I so I didn't worry. But I mentioned it at an appointment to see if I could increase my Levo. I was put on HRT with no discussion and taken off 10 years later when another doctor had read it was dangerous to be on longer. At this point I again wasn't happy with my dose so I went to my original GP now in private practice and he went back to first principles and basal temps and I was still occasionally ovulating so periods had stopped through low meds! I then has to go through all the symptoms which were not that bad once properly medicated and I've since been told by an Endo that you still have to endure this when come off the HRT so I did wonder if the only advantage was to help bone density if on the young side. May be others can chip in with their experience when stopped HRT.

[bennion666568 in reply to silverfox7]

I am 45 my Mum was young also when she went through menopause . Did the HRT help in anyway at all ?

[silverfox7 in reply to bennion666568]

Hi. No problems on HRT at all other than having to adjust thyroid meds but hind site says not menopausal anyway at think was low thyroxine stopped periods. When I came off I went through the menopause then! That was probably because it was about the right time then, I was still ovulating spasmodically when I'd been on HRT for 10 years!!!! So bit difficult to say which it was, stopping HRT or the real thing as the 10 years before probably wasn't. However I mentioned it to an Endo last year who said that after HRT you still have to go through the menopause but I have no experience of whether he was right or not. So I just said to him then there's no point on taking HRT then and his answer was true, no point. He isn't well thought of by many so I wouldn't trust anything he says. Sorry that's not really very helpful but just my experience. Hindsight also says my gran had an undetected thyroid problem as well.

[Caze]

I was put on HRT shortly after being diagnosed with hypothyroidism because I was still tired. Only go on HRT if u really have to. I had terrible problems coming off it. I had PMS symptoms that went on for a year - drove me crackers. U can also have menopausal symptoms like hot flushes etc.

[PoppyRose in reply to Caze]

My GP put me on hrt for fatigue despite me not having typical symptoms and it hasn't helped and now suffering with side effects!! Awaiting review appointment.

[bennion666568 in reply to Caze]

Thank you I wont be making any decison untill I have all the facts

[bennion666568 in reply to Caze]

Sorry to hear you had such a bad experience and thank you x

[helenbones]

Personally I found HRT to be great - and even lowered my thyroid medication. Just goes to show each case is different. I have felt so well I started running (never done that before) - still fatigue easily but feel so much better. also take supplements and gluten free, which I was before HRT. The only thing that wasn't great was the first month when symptoms got worse.

[bennion666568 in reply to helenbones]

Proof everyone is different and that's why we have to try things for ourselves obviously great to get guidance though of people who have been there bought the T shirt .

Which HRT did you use ?

[helenbones in reply to bennion666568]

I take premique

[marmaris]

I have recently gone back on HRT patches estrogen and progesterone. At the same time Endo reduced my Levo T4 from 100mcgs to 50mcgs as she upped my T3 Liothyronine from 20mcgs to 30mcgs. I must say I have noticed the difference. Bloatedness, fatigue weight gain etc. I am now wondering what to do? I had heard that being on HRT can effect your dosage. I have just had a blood test so I will wait and see the results and if there is any change. All this is really getting me down, been Hypo for 20 years and just want my life and health back.

[bennion666568 in reply to marmaris]

Sorry to hear that it has made things worse really not what you need is it I sympathise X

[bennion666568]

I have just spoken to GP who has referred me to hormone specialist if i am to go down HRT route. He is hesitant to prescribe because of my family history and uterus cancer. Mother died 3 years ago of Uterus cancer age 63, her sisters have all had uterus cancer and another sister in now terminal with secondary she 53. He said that if my consultant endo wants me to trial HRT he would prefer I spoke to women's Hormone Consultant first. I dont think i will won't end up taking HRT after all.

[PoppyRose in reply to bennion666568]

I definitely wouldn't take it if it put me in the high risk brackets as with other members of your family. so sad I'm sorry to hear about your loss and family ill health. X

[bennion666568 in reply to PoppyRose]

I have just spoken to genetics from Exeter who dealt with our screening for cancer risks after Mum passed away. She is going to ask further information and call me back.

It just shows tho how desperate we are to get well that we are prepared to consider this even when there could be risks. This is the truth if this made me well I would rather have the next 20 years of good health to enjoy my life than be like I am now. This illness like most has already taken the last 7 years.

[PoppyRose in reply to bennion666568]

Good point good that they are on with it and hope they get back to you soon. x

[asmile4u]

I am on HRT but am wondering if I really need it since I was also diagnosed with Hashi's about the same time. I am only on testosterone and progesterone days 12-26 of my cycle. I have developed problems with the progesterone so have stopped taking it. I am of the mind to stop the testosterone until I am optimal on Thyroid Meds and then test to see where my hormones are.

[suzannai]

My understanding is that estrogen can block thyroid hormone receptors, causign the patient to need more, while the reverse is true for progesterone. It allows the thyroid hormone to work more efficiently. Anyone have any comments on this.

[PoppyRose in reply to suzannai]

Interesting . but haven't come across this in research.

[bennion666568 in reply to PoppyRose]

It's true oestrogen can sometimes interfere with thyroid medication. When I was pregnant my dosage needed to be increased because of the high oestrogen levels

[bennion666568 in reply to suzannai]

ThIs is sort of a long the lines of what the consultant said she wants to see if it will help the thyroud hormone to work more efficiently.

But how can it work more efficiently if it gets deactivates by oestrogen . Oh my so confused . Maybe I could just have progesterone ?

[Hidden in reply to suzannai]

You are absolutely correct in what you say. And I have experienced this for myself.

[suzannai]

Perhaps. Have you had your hormones checked? Do you know if you are low in both. Progesterone is the main hormone needed to make all the others.

[bennion666568 in reply to suzannai]

I have been for the appointment today and after looking at the blood results she is sending me for a pituitary Mri scan and a bone density test . Not what I expected to hear .

[noenergy]

I was only on femoston for 3 months- my periods were more controlled but I experienced a lot of other problems. Sensitivity to sun, crawling sensation over my body- it was horrible. With an under active thyoid I am used to feeling bad but these were new symptoms. Within two weeks of stopping hrt the new symptoms had stopped and heavy periods returned- but at least I can cope with these!

[bennion666568 in reply to noenergy]

. I agree you don't want added symptoms its difficult enough