Can heavy periods affect your levels?

[emcbutterfly]

I've been on 100mcg levothyroxine for several years. My Doctors are of the impression that its a dose that many are on and are ok with. I occasionally play around with my dose depending on how I'm feeling taking a little extra when I start getting headaches and feel tired. I only take 125mcg every other day. I find this helps to optimise feeling ok. Recently I remained on 100mcg for a month. In run up to my last period I have felt dreadful. with days where I couldn't get off the couch or felt like I could go to sleep at 3pm in the afternoon. Yesterday I took 125mcg and by the afternoon I started to feel good. This morning I have woken feeling I could jump out of bed rather than dragging myself out. Is this to do with my period or should I be asking for a higher dose? Should I look at self-medicating with T3? I've noticed my neck aching also during the recent episode of tiredness and headaches.

[researcherUK]

Heavy periods can be associated with low T3.

Do you have any recent blood results for your thyroid function, B12, folate, Vit D and for your ferritin levels?

[Aurealis]

Listen to what your body tells you. T3 should only be considered if wellness cannot be achieved with T4. It is irrelevant if some people are well on 100mcg. How much do you need to feel well? The tests are only useful to check your levels once you’re feeling well. They measure your set point or sweet spot where you feel well. Adjusting dose to get an ‘average’ result is the way madness lies. Do you want to feel average? Or well?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You may be on not quiet enough Levothyroxine. However there is no point testing until you have been on constant fixed dose (either 100mcg daily or 100mcg, 125mcg alternate days ) for minimum of 6, or ideally 8 weeks

Heavy periods are classic sign of being hypothyroid and can lead to low ferritin (Anaemia)

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 thyroid antibodies, FT3 and FT4, plus vitamins

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies

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.

If on Levothyroxine, don't take 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. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances too, especially gluten. So it's important to get tested.

[shaws Administrator]

Periods and infertility go hand in hand at times due to hypothyroidism. Pity doctors are so inept with regard to knowing anything about the dysfunctions of the thyroid gland.

Tick off your symptoms and give him a copy. All of them should be resolved when you are on an optimum dose i.e. a dose that removes symptoms and not by a doctor dictating doses due to a TSH somewhere in the range. The aim is a TSH of 1 or lower and FT3 and FT4 towards the upper part of the range.

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

[Naomi8]

lack of enough thyroid hormone causes heavy periods.heavy periods cause anaemia,which will not resolve with low doses of iron supplements like Spatone,Floradix,when very anaemic.

Underactive thyroid causes iron deficiency.

Its a vicious cycle & iron levels need testing thoroughly.

Not enough thyroid hormone & anaemia will make one feel poorly,weak,breathless etc