Menopause...confused, can you help?

[Lolalois]

Hi, I seem to be having the first signs of menopause (I'm 44), including worse PMT, sore breasts, terrible skin at the end of my period (what's that about??), lighter periods and feeling generally very flat and at times quite anxious. I'm hypo too but it's fairly well managed. The symptoms have come on over a couple of months and I've been looking into treatment options, including HRT (seemingly not so popular these days), bio identical hormones (mixed views online) and herbal options (also apparently a minefield). So I'm confused. What have people used and was it helpful? I don't have the classic hot flushes so much, it's more the other symptoms that are bothering me. Any views would be much appreiciated...

L x

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Looking at your previous posts, 3 months ago you were considering increasing Levo dose as TSH was rising. Did you increase? Have you had full test since? Also your ferritin was low - been checked since?

Ask GP to check levels of vitamin d, b12, folate and ferratin. These all need to at good (not just average) levels for thyroid hormones (our own or replacement ones) to work in our cells.

Also have you had thyroid antibodies checked? There are two sorts TPO Ab and TG Ab. (Thyroid peroxidase and thyroglobulin) Both need checking, if either, or both are high this means autoimmune thyroid - called Hashimoto's, the most common cause in UK of being hypo.

Usual advice on ALL thyroid tests, is to do early in morning, ideally before 9am. No food or drink beforehand (other than water) If you are taking Levo, then don't take it in 24 hours before (take straight after). This way your tests are always consistent, and it will show highest TSH, and as this is mainly all the medics decide dose on, best idea is to keep result as high as possible

If you have Hashimoto's then you may find adopting 100% gluten free diet can help reduce symptoms, and lower antibodies too.

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

[Lolalois in reply to SlowDragon]

Hi there,

Thanks for the reply. Yes I increased my dose and have been re tested and feel fine from the thyroid perspective (I think). Results were where I like them, low in the TSH range and towards the top of the T4. They don't test antibodies or T3 at my doctor. I am gluten free, low caffeine alcohol and sugar and take D3 plus a B vits supplement and iron supplements. Iron is usually low for me but is increasing at the moment (about 25 which is the highest it's ever been, I don't absorb it well). I didn't think it was my thyroid as my symptoms are very linked to my monthly cycle and aren't quite the same symptoms as I get usually when my thyroid is off. I spoke to my GP about the symptoms earlier and they more or less said 'oh well' and see how it goes. Maybe I'm just at the early sages of changes but perhaps some vitamins or herbs might help balance my hormones a bit better for now?

[jacrjacr in reply to Lolalois]

sore breast a sign of estrogen dominance which means you have too little estrogen but even greater less progesterone as well so you are inbalanced..some women use over the counter USP PROGESTERONE cream that helps....that or maca powder.....but once on b

hrt in my opinion it is for life bec you teach your body to get used to that as well so take as little as possible to make a difference....i would try other stuff first...maca is natural....