Perimenopause

[Angels22]

I wanted to know if anyone is starting perimenopause early? I’ve been getting symptoms of what I think might be perimenopause but not too sure as some symptoms are like Hashimotos/ hypothyroidism. Got an appointment tomorrow to get my routine thyroid test so will ask about it then. I’ve read it’s common for people with thyroid problems to go through menopause earlier. I’m 37 years old and my sister went through menopause at 37.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

It could be more likely

Hashimoto's can cause low vitamins too

As well as tests for menopause, ask for vitamin D, folate, B12 and ferritin too along with TSH, FT4 and FT3

All thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Do not take Levothyroxine dose in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take immediately after blood draw. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

[Angels22 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you.

[milkwoman]

I started perimenopause early - late thirties, like you. This was years before I was diagnosed with hypo (and SLE and Sjogrens). I was in perimenopause for a long time. I suppose, some of my symptoms could have been hypo-related as it took years for me to be diagnosed (hypo DX at age 47). Menopause arrived at age 49.

You have a family history of early menopause (with your sister) so they should take you seriously. But many docs (at least here in the US), find it hard to believe that women can go into perimenopause and menopause before the age of 50.

I’m estrogen dominant, so while in perimenopause, I was using compounded transdermal progesterone cream to balance things. It really helped my mood.

Now that I’m in menopause, I’m on HRT. Started out with estrogen patches and oral progesterone, but experienced issues with that protocol so now I’m on compounded Progesterone/Bi-est cream (combo cream containing progesterone along with estradiol and estriol). I’ve tried testosterone but my body makes enough and supplementing only made me angry.

[Angels22 in reply to milkwoman]

Thanks for the reply.