Estrogen and t3 only

[Darlene1]

Does anyone know if cytomel can increase estrogen? I keep seeing estrgen dominance automatic since I started the cytomel 13 days ago. Migraines puffy face and ankles. I'm only on  5 mcg plus 2.5 mcg later in day. I started my progesterone cream today I uase it 15 days out of the month.

[radd]

Darlene,

Sex hormones work with thyroid hormones in negative feed back loops (HPA axis) and one imbalance usually shows up further down the line. 

Hypothyroidism can cause low SHBG but this can rise when medicating additional T3 but also with a high oestrogen or progesterone level. Too high SHBG can bind to thyroid hormone preventing it from being delivered to receptors and so increasing hypothyroidism symptoms..  I have also read that high levels of T3 can decrease the metabolic clearance rate of estradiol, giving PMS type symptoms but your dose is very small.. 

Oestrogen dominance can happen when not enough progesterone is produced in the female cycle to balance the effects of oestrogen common in the lead up to the menopause   ...   . but hypothyroidism can do weird things to our sex hormones. I had blindly used progesterone transdermal cream in an effort to offset supposedly  high oestrogen but when eventually tested was deficient in both ! ! .! .

Thyroid function tests should be performed 6 - 10 weeks after starting/adjusting any medicated hormonal dose including progesterone cream.

There are many things to consider but any approach to correcting poor thyroid function must address the endocrine system in its entirety. I wouldn't think you will get high oestrogen from 7.5mcg T3 but you may have it already. 

Migraines, puffy face and ankles could be down to low thyroid hormone. Do you have recent thyroid hormone test results complete with ranges (numbers in brackets) ? Are you menopausal ? 

 

[Darlene1 in reply to radd]

Yes all my labs are in normal range except my t3 is 2.0 in a scale of 2.3-4.3 so it's low and my reverse t3 is crazy high at 26 on a scale of 20 being the highest. So my reverse t3 is high. I'm probably in Peri menopause I'm 41. I am giving cytomel 6 weeks to see if things clear up

[radd in reply to Darlene1]

Darlene,

I read that administering additional T3 will offset RT3 but only if the underlying cause is addressed. Otherwise it becomes a self perpetuating circle.

High RT3 indicates your thyroid hormones aren't working properly. Perimenapausal hormone changes can affect thyroid hormones and the only way to get a clear picture is to have sex hormones tested.

We continually read about oestrogen dominence but long term undiagnosed hypothyroidism turned everything upside down for me.

[Darlene1]

Yes I am having all labs again free t3, t4, iron, progesterone, estrogen in 1 week. I'm still losing a ton of hair and look like I'm gaining weight but I refuse to get on the scale. As far as the cytomel I am going to stick it out for 6 wks. I no longer have carpal tunnel and I feel slightly happier mixed with anger while on t3.  I have to see if this works . If it doesn't than I have tried all thyroid medication synthroid, armour, and wp thyroid. So that would mean I tried it all and nothing helps. I might try thyrogold if all else fails. In 2 months I am doing an early retirement because of depression. So I'm thinking some health issues might clear up once im not working.

[radd in reply to Darlene1]

Darlene,

There is research that shows too much T3 can make us angry - see link below.

I never experienced anger but after introducing T3 last June physically improved but psychologically experienced unbearable sadness and then depression which I am just managing to lift myself out of now. 

I am not suggesting you are medicating too much T3 as your dose is small but that it might be your body acclimatising to a long absent hormone.

Post results complete with ranges (numbers in brackets) for members to comment.

tiredthyroid.com/blog/2014/...

[Darlene1 in reply to radd]

Thanks I just read the article about t3 and anger. It was very good.