Exhaustion before periods

[mistygrey]

Hi

I have Hypothyroid and Hashimotos and sjogrens diseases but a week before periods start I am floored and can hardly move. The same for a week after my period and have heavy periods on Tranexamic acid for heaviness but Gp has suggested coil or try another Progesterone only pill.

Has anybody had similar experiences with the severe fatigue before periods start and found anything to work treatment wise?

Thank you

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Heavy periods are classic sign of being hypothyroid are you on high enough dose of Levothyroxine?

How much Levothyroxine are you currently taking and what are your most recent blood test results and ranges?

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if Thyroid antibodies are raised

Heavy periods frequently cause Anaemia

Low ferritin very likely

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

Medichecks currently have an offer on until end of May - 20% off

thyroiduk.org.uk/index.html

[SlowDragon Administrator]

See you also take T3

How much T3?

2 x 5mcg ? Or 3 x 5mcg ?

when also on T3, make sure to take last dose 8-12 hours prior to blood test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test

[WildDeer]

Hi Misty, I feel for you. Firstly I want to say that the pills are progestogen, which is very different from progesterone, and was wrongly named when it was put on the market.

And they are helpful to some people and not others. It may be worth using progesterone cream from just before symptoms worsen to when your period starts-as a trial. and if you can afford to buy it. Take a look at Dr Katharina Dalton's books. Progesterone was a life-saver for me through years of PMS. But I think also that if I had been understood to be autoimmune hypothyroid and with DIO2 conversion problems back then, the PMS wouldn't have been such a problem.

And , of course follow up all the thyroid advice. The two hormonal systems interact in complex ways.

[HLAB35]

You sound like my daughter. She has discovered limiting bad prostaglandins has helped a lot, also reducing histamines in the diet as both are inflammatory. Marilyn Glenville has written extensively about PMS and prostaglandins, so look out for her books. The histamine link is a newish discovery, but it is pertinent to note that histamine intolerance and allergies get worse just before a period, which is also when you get Estrogen dominance which encourages inflammation. I would get a thorough hormonal check done (adrenals as well) and keep a diary to show how your symptoms change. A diet low in 'trigger' foods and good quality supplements are key as well as optimal thyroid treatment.

[NWA6]

I’ve not long started T3. My Endo put me on 15mcg. I’ve just had my first period while being properly medicated and it was still hard work so I’ve added another 5mcg. It’s already working on the slight constipation that was one of my only symptoms leftover from when I was on Levo only. I’ll have to wait now and see if it helps with my periods. 2days before I overreact to everything! Then heavy painful period with a bit of exhaustion and sore joints.

I’m well within range of FT3 so hopefully this is the answer for me 🤗

[MissOphelia]

Hi mistygrey I don’t really have any advice but I just wanted to say I have this too, I barely function normally but my periods leave me unable to do pretty much anything. No help I know but you’re definitely not alone. Xx