Help with interpreting results please

[Msmoneypolly]

I’ve been suffering from very heavy periods since puberty and more recently after the birth of my youngest child. I had a mirena coil fitted and had some relief but that came with its own problems. I had the coil removed a year ago and the heavy periods returned. I had been feeling terrible fatigue for months - bad enough to severely impact on daily activities/work, and anaemia was suspected. Got my iron levels tested was found to have very low ferritin: down to 17 in May. Started on ferrous sulphate 600mg/day early June. Recently retested and now back up to 46. I’ll continue to replace until it’s up around 70, as recommended by many experts. My question is what might be the cause of the heavy periods? I’m aware low thyroid/low ferritin can sometimes be a combined problem resulting in heavy menstruation. I’m told by the GP that it’s not unusual in peri menopause, although it’s been since puberty for me! So I had my thyroid tested to just check this isn’t the cause as I’ve been suspected of being a poor T4-T3 converter in the past (by Dr Peatfield) and tried T3 but wasn’t convinced of its effectiveness.

I’ve previously had brilliant help from people on here and would really appreciate it again. If someone could have a look and advise upon any action, if it’s needed.

My thyroid test results show the following (ranges in brackets):

TSH 2.63 (0.27 - 4.20)

Free T4 14.40 (12.00 - 22.00)

Free T3 4.98 (3.10 - 6.80)

TAB < 10 (0.00 - 115.00)

TPAB < 9.0 (0.00 - 34.00)

Many thanks in advance.

Polly

[greygoose]

Your conversion looks ok, but you are under-medicated. Your TSH should be 1 or under, and your Frees up at least into the top third of the range.

[Msmoneypolly in reply to greygoose]

Thanks for the advice, Greygoose. I’m not actually taking any thyroid medication at present. So, you would recommend some form of medication with this TSH level then? Do you think that would help with the fatigue too. Wondering if it might just be a waste of time taking this to my GP? I guess it might as they would say it’s in range, so is ‘normal’.... 🙄

I’m having a follow up phone could with Dr Peatfield in a month. I’ll send him these results and put that to him, see what he thinks.

Thanks again for the advice. Much appreciated.

Polly

[greygoose in reply to Msmoneypolly]

You wouldn't get anywhere with a conventional GP with that TSH - because that's about all they look at and yours is in-range. Best to follow what Dr P has to say.

[Msmoneypolly]

No change as yet to the heavy menstrual flow despite raising my ferritin levels back to near optimal level. I’m going to keep replacing the iron till it’s nearer 70. I fear perhaps it’s a vicious cycle and one makes the other worse, and so it goes on. Dr Peatfield has suggested I try Wellsprings natural progesterone cream, so I’m going to see if that helps. I also use tranexaminc acid on the heaviest days, which does seem to help reduce the flooding.

[AllOrNothing1]

I found my v heavy periods were due to an undiagnosed fibroid which was growing in the uterus with its own blood supply. When I finally had this removed, things definitely improved (still relatively early days but I’m so much happier). I had no pain with the fibroid which I think is unusual- must people suffer more than me, but the bleeding that went with it was just apocalyptic!