I have been having a thyroid review as part of an infertility review (3.5yrs of trying for a baby and two early miscarriages) and I had been told I had thyroiditis as the antibodies were high. This has now settled down and my thyroid is showing as being underactive so my GP has started me on a low dose of Levothyroxine 25mg to see if it will help - I have a blood test mid-June to check.
I started the tablets the day before my period was due and it started the next day as expected (I am fairly regular 28-31 day cycle - but long periods 10/11 days)..... well this cycle it has hardly shown up and been extremely light for around 5 days. Is this a normal reaction to the medication? should I expect my period to come back at a later time this month?
With trying for a baby I have been very aware of my cycles etc and this one has really thrown me out and been quite confusing...
Any help, advice, suggestions will be very gratefully received.
Lottie
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LottieB85
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High thyroid antibodies confirms cause as autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's.
With Hashimoto's generally need a TSH lower than 2.5 to feel well on Levothyroxine. Plus with Hashimoto's low vitamins are extremely common you need to get vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 levels tested. Add results and ranges if you have them already
Usual starter dose of Levothyroxine is 50mcg. How long have you been taking 25mcg? Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change. You possibly/probably need dose increase
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. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies
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. When 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)
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. Dairy is second most common.
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)
Changing to a strictly gluten free diet may help reduce symptoms, help gut heal and slowly lower TPO antibodies
Hi I have been diagnosed last summer and my periods were all over the place up to 1 week early to 3 weeks late. They have now settled back to normal but have gone heavier, I would definitely ask for bloods done sooner I was having them every 4 weeks to start with, I have found you have to push for everything, I've learnt more joining this forum in 1 day than from my doctors. Good luck
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