I know I have Hashi, but my GP says all other levels are normal so refusing to give me any thyroid medication (even though the Greek GP said I should be taking it but that's another long story).
I also have a fibroid but GP is saying I do not need it removed, it's outside the womb, so it's all ok, etc..
I had REALLY heavy periods that made me iron deficient and told me I need the mirena coil. I had it fitted three weeks ago, two weeks of spotting and now I got my first period with it, and OH MY GOD the cramping and the pain!! Ok, not so heavy, but still, painful.
Is that subsiding? Also, what else contraception should I think about (as I don't want the condoms)
I am seriously thinking of going back tomorrow and asking them for it to be removed.
Also, forgot to mention, that just before I had the coil fitted, I was starting to have period cycles that were only like 19-20 days, and I got scared that I am entering perimenopause, and I am only 37 with no kids!
Any ideas?
Any help would be appreciated.
aat
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Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers.
All thyroid tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, GP will be unaware)
If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's
You can test vitamin levels at same time if required or cheapest test for just vitamin D is via vitamindtest.org.uk £28 postal kit
As you already know you have Hashimoto's have you looked at going strictly gluten free?
Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels
Low vitamin levels can affect Thyroid hormone working
Poor gut function can lead leaky gut (literally holes in gut wall) this can cause food intolerances. Most common by far is gluten
According to Izabella Wentz the Thyroid Pharmacist approx 5% with Hashimoto's are coeliac, but over 80% find gluten free diet helps significantly. Either due to direct gluten intolerance (no test available) or due to leaky gut and gluten causing molecular mimicry (see Amy Myers link)
But don't be surprised that GP or endo never mention gut, gluten or low vitamins. Hashimoto's gut connection is very poorly understood
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
Ideally ask GP for coeliac blood test first or get a postal test kit online
The first couple of periods with a mirena can be very heavy, with cramping, as the womb is trying to expel the coil. Then the hormones within the coil kick in full time and life is wonderful. I had two mirena due to heavy periods, and the relief of not having to check you have not flooded through your trousers is wonderful! And think of the money you save! Try and stick with it, the benefits are worth it.
I had a coil and had very heavy painful periods etc for the entire time it was fitted (before the advent of hormone ones, though), so it may never get better.
I’ve had my Mirena for a year and a half. My first period was lighter but the same pain. They then got lighter slowly. I spotted for six weeks then 50 days ago was my last period so far! I use the app pink pad. Definitely not pregnant! I’m 41 and childless through choice. Please remember pain is our bodies way of telling us something is wrong and it sounds to me like you’ve accepted that your periods will always be heavy etc.
I had a myomectomy 7 years ago and when they went in found I have cysts and fibroids inside, outside and in the wall. They removed half (only for safety reasons) and it got better pain wise.
I’ve put on three stone since having Mirena but it’s the lesser of two evils. I’m going to start doing something about it for summer. Is suggest hanging on for six months to give it a chance to settle.
I know this is hard but maybe consider freezing some eggs.
You don’t need other contraception with the coil. Unless you have extra large fibroids as they can literally kick the coil out of its place. (Doctors forget to tell you that a bit like antibiotics and the pill!) There are many other options - maybe pop to your local family planning centre as they have more time and info. I loved the patch but my BMI was too high 😞 after a few years and I was getting headaches.
I also have bought menopause testing kits off of Ebay - might help put your mind at rest if your doctor won’t test for it.
Ebony
I had my first coil fitted in the 1960's I was only 21 years old then. I used this method for 5 years before my first born and then again for 9 years until the second. I was told by the family planning clinic that as I had never had any children it was unsuitable and could cause heavy bleeding. I was lucky that never happened to me but it sounds as though it is happening to you.
The Mirena is hormones as opposed to the copper ones. I was told the same 10 years ago and wasn’t allowed one fitted. But the new Mirena is a supposeded revelation. The copper ones are usually for women that have been pregnant and or preferred for younger woman as they e changed slightly. They also last ten years so god forbid anyone wanting to have one that hasn’t had several children and under 35. They assume you’ll be wasting money by changing your mind within a year and wanting it out to start a family 🤷🏾♀️ utter madness
I had a copper coil when I was 21 and it had to be removed with a general anaesthetic after about 10 years - after that I just went without or used a barrier method.
I'm not sure what effect fake hormones have on the thyroid, but it seems like a sledge hammer to crack a nut, when artificial hormones have been shown to have adverse effects. Can't you take ferritin yourself and perhaps self-medicate for thyroid. Althohgh you don't technically need contraception as the mirena coil is a contraceptive, condoms help protect against disease and infection as well as pregnancy
It's a progestin-only contraceptive - it's main function is as a contraceptive (the progestin stops sperm swimming up the neck of the womb, and also stop the womb lining thickening to support a fertilized egg. The plastic part may also stop implantation). There does seem to be a link between Mirena and hypo, although you'd think that extra progesterone would be helpful - of course, it's not true bioidentical progesterone which might make a difference.
Oh, sorry. Well, condoms are the most body-friendly. If they still do caps, they are also body-friendly, but take too much planning and have a habit of suddenly pinging jelly on to the ceiling - not very romantic. Everything else contains hormones, but are less prone to human error and forgetfulness. I'm glad I no longer have to worry about that stuff.
Ladies, I just wanted to recommend a great book I read which addressed heavy periods and the female cycle in general. It is called WomanCode by Alisa Vitti and it is quite holistic in natural. She also done an interview via podcast on The Lively Show (available on the website or through Stitcher) which would give you an idea if the book would be any use. I learned a lot from the podcast and the book. Great woman!
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Is there a link between having Mirena Coil fitted and a flair up of Hashimotos?
