Messed up menstrual cycle

[rayhanalopa]

Hello

I've been taking Thyronorm 25mg from January 19 and since 29th January I have been experiencing spotting and heavy flow. Before taking the medicine my cycle had been very regular. I had never experienced such problem.

Is it a side effect of the medicine?

I have checked my TSH this week and the result was good ( within the normal range).

[greygoose]

I can't say I've ever hear of that being a side-effect of T4. But it wouldn't be surprising if your other hormones were a bit messed up after starting T4. Why did you have your TSH tested after just three days? It's normal to wait six weeks, because that is how long it takes to absorb and synthisise the T4.

So, what exactly was your TSH when you were diagnosed, and what is it now? 'In-range' tells us nothing much.

[rayhanalopa in reply to greygoose]

Hello again

Actually I took the test 7 weeks after starting the medicine.

When I was diagnosed my T4 was 0.9 (0.8-1.8ng/dl) and my TSH was 10.87 (0.42-4.2 ulU/ml) along with Anti-Thyroglobulin Ab (TT) 500.55 (< 4.11 IU/ml) Anti Microsomal An (TPO) 0.79 (<5.61 IU/ml).

The result of my recent TSH test was 3.071 uIU/no (0.35- 5.00 uIU/ml).

[greygoose in reply to rayhanalopa]

That is really not a good TSH result! You are still hypo. You also have Hashi's. So, plenty of things that could be causing the problem.

[rayhanalopa in reply to greygoose]

What other problem I might face?

[greygoose in reply to rayhanalopa]

Low nutrients, for a start. Also, low thyroid will also mean other hormones can be out of whack.

[diogenes Remembering]

Thyronorm is a vetinary medicine for cats. I'm not sure its suitable for humans.

[Kell-E in reply to diogenes]

There is a low dose version for cats, but I think this is the human product.

unitedpharmacies-uk.md/Thyr...

[greygoose in reply to diogenes]

I though cats didn't get hypo. Dogs get hypo and cats get hyper, that's what a vet told me.

[bantam12 in reply to greygoose]

Cats can be hypo, my two are on Thyronorm but are hyper even after surgery, very expensive meds.

[greygoose in reply to bantam12]

So, that's another thing that stoopid vet got wrong! Thank goodness I found another, better vet!

[diogenes Remembering]

These are the stated possible side-effects

Shaking and trembling of arms and feet

Headache

Nausea and Vomiting

Diarrhea

Abdominal cramps

Nervousness and irritabilityRARE

Sleeplessnes

Excessive sweating

Fever

Changes in menstrual cycle

Temporary hair lossRARE

Chest pain and discomfort SEVERE RARE

Rapid or irregular heartbeat SEVERE RARE

Thyrotoxic crisis SEVERE RARE

[rayhanalopa in reply to diogenes]

Hello Diogenes

Thank you for the information. It's helpful.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

On Levothyroxine TSH should be around one and FT4 towards top of range and FT3 at least half way in range.

You need dose 25mcg increase and bloods retested in 6-8 weeks

NICE guidelines saying how to initiate and increase. Note that most patients eventually need somewhere between 100mcg and 200mcg Levothyroxine

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

Official NHS guidelines saying TSH should be between 0.2 and 2.0 when on Levothyroxine

(Many of us need TSH nearer 0.2 than 2.0 to feel well)

See box

Thyroxine replacement in primary hypothyroidism

pathology.leedsth.nhs.uk/pa...

High antibodies means Hashimoto's and low vitamin levels are common

Ask for vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 to be tested

Read up as much as possible about Hashimoto's

[rayhanalopa in reply to SlowDragon]

Hello

Your reply is really very helpful. Thanks a lot.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to rayhanalopa]

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, TT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies. Plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.

Essential to test FT3 and FT4 plus vitamins

Private tests are available

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

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 and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 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

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

List of hypothyroid symptoms. Heavy periods are classic sign of being hypo. Will also lower ferritin levels if they persist

thyroiduk.org/tuk/about_the...

Hashimoto's affects the gut and leads to low stomach acid and then low vitamin levels

Low vitamin levels 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 is very poorly understood

Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms and help gut heal

Ideally ask GP for coeliac blood test first

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...

amymyersmd.com/2017/02/3-im...

chriskresser.com/the-gluten...

scdlifestyle.com/2014/08/th...

drknews.com/changing-your-d...

thyroidpharmacist.com/artic...