Underactive Thyroid & Periods......Sorry for being so blunt!

[nessa263]

Hi,

Can having an underactive thyroid cause periods to stop......and therefore start again once medication has started?

This has happened to me after taking levothyroxine and having a session of accupunture. The GP said I was post menopausal at 39 following blood tests but things seem to be coming back to life now I've started medication. Anyone else experienced this?

Thanks,

Vanessa

[Muffy]

In a word, yes. Hypothyroidism can cause ‘period’ problems and if the thyroid isn’t treated then it can, if not treated, cause cessation of periods.

[DawnD]

Yes - for me, the reason the doctors found out I had an underactive thyroid was because my periods didn't return after the birth of my second child. They had always been irregular (which makes me think my thyroid had always been a bit under par, especially as I stopped growing at the age of 12 years). Two male doctors dismissed my concerns, saying that various symtoms (weight-gain, feeling depressed, etc.) were all to do with having had a baby - it was a female doctor who finally listened, took my pulse (54bpm) and did a blood test.

[HashiFedUp]

No!. I’ve Hashimotos and my periods are very heavy! Which is a symptoms of underactive thyroid. Not sure why yours stopped. Stress can stop periods if you’ve had any. Have they tested FSH and Testosterone? This will indicate whether you have menopause or not. It can start and stop.

[Muffy in reply to HashiFedUp]

Both heavy periods and cessation of periods can be a symptom of hypothyroidism.

[HashiFedUp in reply to Muffy]

thanks muffy. That I didn’t know. I was only told that heavy periods was a sign of underactive thyroid!

[nessa263 in reply to HashiFedUp]

So confusing isn't it. For years I'd Googled my symptoms and tried to work out what was going on. Got myself into a real pickle. This forum is a godsend. Had loads of symptoms that I was worried about that there's very little info about.....swollen ankles (doctor told me it was the weather), really sore sternum, lack of periods (doctor diamissed my worries), deafness etc. Glad for the diagnosis and the chance to do something about it.

[nessa263]

Thanks. I always thought it caused heavy periods which is why I was confused. It's good to hear others have experienced the same symptoms as me. I have had FSH tested and indicated menopuase which is why I am even more confused. I am learning though it's not always as straightforward as that.

[Muffy in reply to nessa263]

You are so right, hypothyroidism is confusing .... especially for doctors!!!!

[silverfox7]

Yes! Many years ago now I visited my doctor to ask for an increase of meds but then on the way out I said that my last period was 6 months ago so thought better get that in my notes so she gave me a prescription for HRT. Was on it for 10 years then taken off as it had just been announced that 10 ywars should be maximum time. Then visited a previous GP who was now in private practise but was the only doctor who understood the Thyroid as we had been diagnosed around the same time. He said to go back to first principles and take my basal temperature for 3 months. That showed I was still ovulating. Now I know you are advised to take precautions for a while after periods cease but 10 years!!!!

[Mouse]

I went to the GP because my periods had stopped and I was tired. I thought I must be pregnant again, he diagnosed Hypothyroidism. He was an old doctor and took one look at me and said he didn’t think I was pregnant but that my thyroid was struggling. A blood test proved he was right

[Fox78]

Everyone is different and experiences different variations of symptoms mine stopped and would miss months but then be really heavy and clotted

I’m 41 this year and I thought I was going through the menopause too..

Ask for a valuation of bloods to be done for your hormones but yes it could be the case

[Judithdalston]

Yes, at 41-2 before diagnosed hypo, and just assumed it was early menopause.

[nessa263]

Thank you everyone.

[shaws Administrator]

Everything is affected in our bodies, from head to toe if we've hypothyroidism. Thankfully we don't get all the symptoms but few doctors are aware of any, it appears to me. Before the introduction of levothyroxine along with blood tests, we were all diagnosed upon our clinical symptoms alone and given NDT (natural dessicated thyroid hormones). This was increased slowly until we were symptom-free. Seems a kinder way than only going by the TSH which the majority of doctors seem to do. They treat a number but not the disabling symptoms..

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