Hypothyroid with abnormal uterine bleeding

[Sparklechick]

Hi, have any other ladies out there experienced prolonged bleeding before being diagnosed with Hypothyroidism? I’ve been bleeding for nearly 3 months now and was diagnosed 2 weeks ago. I’m on levothyroxine 50mg and I understand it can take weeks to make a difference - my TSH was WAY out, reading 61 which I understand is pretty drastic! Anyway, GP reckons that’s what’s causing the bleeding but just wanted to hear of anyone else experiencing the same problem. Looking for reassurance that it’ll settle down soon I suppose. Thank you in advance xx

[shaws Administrator]

Welcome to our forum,

Yes, your TSH was high at 61 but hopefully your GP will have some knowledge about how best to treat you. This is a link and the monthly cycle can be disturbed as well as many other things in our body. This is a link which may be helpful:

changethecycle.com/blog/201...

These are a few hints to enable you to get the best possible results on blood tests.

1. Always have the earliest possible appointment for blood draw.

2. It should be at the earliest possible and fasting (you can drink water).

3. Allow a gap of 24 hours between last dose and test and take afterwards.

4. This procedure helps keep the TSH at its highest as that's all doctors seem to notice.

5. The aim, eventually, is to have a TSH of 1 or lower (a number of GPs seem to believe that a TSH anywhere in the range the patient is on a sufficient dose) with relief of all symptoms

6. Starting dose of levo is 50mcg with a blood test and increase of 25mcg every six weeks until symptom-free .

7. Always get a print-out of your results with the ranges for your own records and post them if you have a query. Ranges are very important to enable members to comment on them.

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

Levothyroxine should be taken, usually when we get up with one full glass of water and wait an hour before eating. Food/coffee can interfere with the uptake. Or at bedtime (as long as you've not eaten for a few hours).

B12, Vit D, iron, ferritin and folate should also be optimal.

[Sparklechick in reply to shaws]

Wow, this is all so helpful- thank you!

[Naomi8]

I am long past menopause now,but when I was perimenopausal,I was diagnosed hypothyroid.I was severely anaemic & periods were huge & ongoing.

I had large fibroids.The NHS offered only hysterectomy & iron tablets in addition to thyroxine.

The problem is made worse by being hypothyroid & anaemic for a long time before diagnosis.

[Sparklechick in reply to Naomi8]

Than you for replying Naomi8

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Highly likely to have low iron and/or ferritin with prolonged bleeding

Ask GP to test for Anaemia

Also GP test vitamin D, folate and B12 as well

These are all often too low when hypothyroid and need improving by supplementing to help thyroid hormones work better

You also need Thyroid antibodies tested to see if cause of hypothyroidism is due to autoimmune thyroid disease also called Hashimoto's

[Sparklechick in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you for the info SlowDragon