I haven't posted here for some time. Guess I could say things haven't been too bad part from a couple of blips, too long to explain just now.
I'm sure my question has been explored before and I did find a couple of posts but they were quite old, so I thought I'd ask again.
Briefly, for background, I'm 64, live in Bedfordshire, have been diagnosed Hypothyroid for about 10 years. In more recent years with help from a couple of forums (including this one) I worked out that I have Hashimotos. Also saw a private doctor in 2016 and got NDT prescribed as I didn't feel Levothyroxine was working very well for me.
Almost 3 years on, I'm still doing OK on NDT (Erfa) though I did have a very rocky start with it for various reasons.
I'm obviously post menopausal and currently attending to some gynae issues which are bothering me, related to menopause and looking at Sea Buckthorn Oil but can't find any information to suggest those with Hashis / Hypothyroidism shouldn't take it.
So I wondered if anyone had any experience or knowledge about it.
It's a new supplement to me, though I've seen it growing. Here's some info that you probably have already, but nothing about medical interactions: webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingre...
Do you have a Neal's Yard nearby? The staff are extremely halpful as well as knowledgeable. They have a big herb "bible" in every shop, & might be able to look up whether you're safe to take this. If it's something they sell, maybe call them to ask.
To be really sure & get something appropriate, see a medical herbalist if you can afford it. They would very likely prescribe herbs that work well for whatever your symptoms are that won't clash with THs. OTC products are very hit & miss, & the quality control is more geared towards pharmaceutical hygeine control than actual efficacy.
Thanks BadHare, how funny, I found that link earlier and read through it.
One of the worst things I'm currently dealing with (rather graphic sorry) is vaginal atrophy, comes to many of us (not all) in post menopausal years. It's not just dryness, it's skin thinning, soreness, flare ups, raw skin and more. Many women are prone to frequent urinary tract infections as a result, though thankfully I'm not experiencing those (yet)
One sure fire remedy is topical oestrogen which will thicken the skin again, but I don't wish to use this for various reasons. I'm using a moisturiser which is lovely but it won't actually thicken the skin. Sea buckthorn oil is purported to improve the situation (though not thicken the skin) hence I was thinking of trying it, but not sure whether it would have contra indications with thyroid medication (I'm taking NDT)
Maybe try it well away from your NDT, & see how you feel. I take HRT, & notice whether anything is interfering with that or my NDT/T3 intake quite quickly.
Have you thought of trying nature-identical oestrogen?I have fibroids,even though I am 69,so I cannot.I use progesterone-only trans dermal cream.To help VA,you could use a product with progesterone & oestrogen eg from Wellsprings.
Some time ago when I was first using NDT I was advised in another forum to use natural progesterone though the VA wasn't really showing itself at that time, the progesterone was related more to adrenal fatigue. Another specialist I'd seen had also said I was 'oestrogen dominant' (I was very overweight at the time) I bought a particular brand recommended from the US and used it on my thigh / wrist / arm for some time, but didn't feel any different at all and eventually just stopped it.
I don't wish to use anything oestrogen based, whether 'natural' or not as I had a reaction in the past to something I used. I have heard in a forum for VA that topical oestrogen is supposedly very safe, but I don't wish to use it. My mother died of bowel cancer over 30 years ago. I have two sisters, one is 73 and had breast cancer 5 years ago and during the last 5 years, both her daughters have had breast cancer, one being a very aggressive form.
My fibroids indicate I am oestrogen dominant.2 different genetic tests also indicate an issue with oestrogen clearance.I also prefer to avoid anything with oestrogen in it.
I had an early menopause, probably started around age 40, probably coincided with thyroid problems, but I have only been diagnosed hypothyroid in the last 12 months!! (I am now 58!!)
I have had increasingly worse symptoms of vaginal atrophy and I have tried sea Buckthorn supplements, I have to say that for me they did not seem to improve matters very much and it was only last year when I had a smear test (which was excruciatingly painful) that the fantastic nurse suggested I try oestrogen gel, she also said that the hypothyroidism probably contributed to the dryness and atrophy and it had probably been getting worse for years.
I tried the gel but it culminated in me having a couple of periods, and since I have been free of those for many years I did not want to go back to having them, I took progesterone for a few weeks to prevent periods but decided that I didn't like how that made me feel.
At present I am using vagifem 2x per week.
I no longer have any soreness and from what I can gather the oestrogen dose is very small, my sister who has had breast cancer was told she could use vagifem if needed.
You may be able to use the seabuckthorn berry supplements especially if the atrophy is not too advanced and they may help.
I'm not sure about contraindications with levothyroxine, but natures best brand sell sea buckthorn berry supplements and their site lists any contraindications so maybe check them out.
Some years ago when the VA started, there was a particular doctor at our surgery who I thought I would see. I went primarily because I have a ring pessary fitted to shore up my falling womb and when the pessary is changed at the 6 monthly interval, it's becoming very painful as the ring can't be squeezed down to take it out, so it 'scrapes' down my inside quite painfully. The pain is only momentary but it now usually is followed by a little bleeding. I went in to ask this doctor if she could recommend something for the VA which was not hormone based. After a few minutes discussion, she sent me away with a prescription for Vagifem! I did go the chemist and get them, but when I saw what they were like, I just took them straight back. Because of the ring pessary, I wouldn't be able to get the Vagifem inside into the right place and I don't wish to use them.
I've replied to Naomi with reference to cancer in my family and hence don't wish to try oestrogen based treatments, no matter how small the dose or how much people keep telling me it's safe.
Thanks for the info about contra indications, though I'm taking NDT which works rather differently to Levothyroxine, so I might just drop a line to Pharmanord and ask them about contraindications.
Hi Georgina1955, I use the sea buckthorn capsules daily, away from taking my Levo. My optician recommended them for my very sore and dry eyes. She takes them too and has Hypothyroidism. Haven't tried the topical oil yet though. Re Vaginal Atrophy, I have recently discovered Olive and Bee 100% natural intimate moisturiser cream which I use for soreness. Also VMAGIC is great as a barrier cream to help with burning and soreness after urinating or to stop it burning.
So do you find the capsules help for sore and dry eyes? I do have this problem too, have had that for many years even before Hypo / Hashis because an optician once told me that apparently I sleep with my eyes partially open, so tear fluid doesn't reach the lower part of my eye and it ends up continually dried out and develops small calcified spots. Also another eye specialist I saw said I have a very low blink rate which means even less tear fluid.
But it was for the VA I was wondering about taking Sea Buckthorn.
Interesting you mention about the creams for VA. I had recently tried Yes VM water based moisturiser as I was having some sort of flare with the VA and the GP also prescribed Canesten to 'sooth' things. But I realised after a few days that probably both the Canesten and the Yes water based were making things worse. In desperation I ordered V Magic and some Gyntima pessaries with hyaluronic acid which had good reviews.
I left everything to 'dry' out for a couple of days then tried the V Magic - total bliss! So I was very pleased. Tried to use the Gyntima pessary but it was a bullet shape thing with hard and fairly sharp edges so had a struggle to insert it without damaging myself and couldn't get it in far enough because of the ring pessary I have in place which holds up my 'falling undercarriage' So I had to abandon the pessaries but currently using the V Magic every morning over that whole area and much more comfortable, thank you.
Hi Espeegee
Thanks for your reply. I did read somewhere the other day about topical use of sea buckthorn and wondered about trying that for the VA. An orange vajazzle might prove interesting if you were to go for an examination ! So would you break capsules open or can you buy the oil separately? I haven't explored
Good to hear that VMAGIC helps. Only recently discovered it and such a relief. Sea Buckthorn has helped with making my eyes less sore. Generally it might be helping elsewhere but a definite if only slight improvement in eye dryness.
I might explore that option - after next wednesday as I have an appointment with a private gynaecologist that day, don't want her to be too alarmed lol
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