Hyperthyroidism and HRT

[Me09]

I've been suffering for approx 6years with hyperthyroidism symptoms. Blood tests don't show thyroid problems but I've been on HRT for 30years and some sites says HRT can confuse test results for hyperthyroidism. Looking for advice on different tests or anything that can help get my life back. Or if anyone has had similar experience. Thank you

[Jazzw]

What blood tests have been done, Me09? Do you have the results to hand? If so, it can be useful to post them here for comment (numbers plus laboratory reference ranges).

I’m always a little dubious when I read “blood tests don’t show anything” because often, it’s because the right tests haven’t been done.

Also, what symptoms are you experiencing?

[Me09 in reply to Jazzw]

Thank you for your reply Jazzw.

The doctor just says the blood test isn't showing thyroid problems.

Symptoms, have loads... Some days I feel like I'm wading through waist deep mud, memory is terrible, feeling cold all the time, cramp in legs hair is really thinning, exhaustion, bad depression, weak muscles, lack of appetite...

Appreciate you taking the time to reply.

[Jazzw in reply to Me09]

Ah. That sounds more like hypothyroidism. Under active thyroid. Not hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid).

Well, many doctors think that an in range TSH is absolutely fine. It isn’t for many of us. So the first thing to find out is what your thyroid blood tests showed. You are entitled to know your thyroid test results. Ask the receptionist at your surgery for a printout of your thyroid blood tests. Some receptionists will get a bit funny about that but it’s your legal right to know what your blood test results are.

If you discover that your TSH is over 2.0, then ask your doctor to run a fresh set of thyroid blood test results, to test antibodies and FT4.

Or if you have the funds, private blood testing can be the way to go to find out what’s going on. There are a few companies which offer finger-prick testing (you do the tests yourself using blood from a pricked finger and send the test to their lab). Blue Horizon is one, Medichecks is another. Prices start from around £40 to around £100 depending on how much you decide to get tested.

But your doctor should be your first port of call because why should you have to pay for something they should be testing?

[Jazzw in reply to Me09]

Also, have a read of this from this forum’s parent site, Thyroid U.K.: thyroiduk.org/tuk/diagnosis...

[Me09 in reply to Jazzw]

Thank you so much for the information Jazzw. I have another appointment in weeks time and will put together information as per the advice in the links.

[MjM2015 in reply to Me09]

Next time you get your thyroid tested get the first earliest app as your hormones change throughout the day

[pennyannie]

Hello Me09

When you say you have been dealing with hyperthyroidism symptoms for 6 years what course of action was taken then ?

Were thyroid blood tests taken, do you have any results and what, if any, medication was prescribed.

Were you given a diagnosis and can you remember what that was ?

[Me09 in reply to pennyannie]

I've had lots of blood tests but doctors say they ok and that was the end of it till I went back again saying how bad I felt. Nothing been done 😞 they're telling me I'm stressed that's why I'm feeling like this.. I had another test last week, waiting on results. My hair has really got thin and looks terrible even after washing. No medication offered apart from anti depressants.. I'm feeling down because of how I feel. Thank you for your message penny Annie.

[pennyannie in reply to Me09]

Ok then, so you have never been on any thyroid medication even from 6 years ago, and a ' watch and wait ' policy seems to have been taken, with antidepressants prescribed as a sort of consolation prize !!!

If nothing is apparent when these latest blood tests come back ask for a hard copy of the results and come back on here with the results and ranges of the blood test.

If that shows nothing obvious and correct tests have been run you'll then at least have a second opinion from well respected and excellent forum members.

If the tests weren't the full story you'll be advised to get tests run, possibly privately, so we can get to the bottom of your health issues.

This is where I was a few years ago, and thanks to this amazing site , am now self medicating and getting on with my life.

[Lora7again]

I was told I was suffering from the menopause when infact it was hyperthyroid. Read my story on my profile page. Don't be fobbed off by your Doctor because I was and it took advice from Elaine Moore's site for me to find out what was wrong with me.

[Googleoo01]

Here’s an article that says the estrogen pill is the problem but not transdermal. It’s written in 2004 so I’d look for more recent research at Pub Med to double check.

Therapy and Thyroid Hormone Replacement in Postmenopausal Women

Norman A. Mazer

Published Online:9 Jul 2004doi.org/10.1089/10507250432...

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Abstract

Based on the use of estrogen therapy/hormone therapy (ET/HT) in postmenopausal women and the prevalence of hypothyroidism in this population, it is estimated that approximately 5% of all postmenopausal women receive treatment with both ET/HT and thyroid hormone replacement. Hormone therapy generally refers to the combined use of estrogens and progestins, the latter administered on a continuous or intermittent basis. HT is indicated for the treatment of postmenopausal women with intact uteri, whereas ET is used in women who have had hysterectomies. Because of its hepatic first-pass effect, oral estrogen therapy, the most commonly used modality of ET/HT, raises the circulating levels of thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG), thereby increasing the bound fraction and decreasing the free (bioactive) fraction of circulating thyroxine (T4). As a consequence, oral ET/HT may increase the T4 dosage requirements of women being treated for primary hypothyroidism as well as alter the pituitary-thyroid axis in euthyroid women. This paper reviews the potential interaction between ET/HT and thyroid hormone replacement based on the prevalence of their concomitant use, mechanistic aspects of the interaction, and recent clinical studies of the effects of oral ET in euthyroid and hypothyroid women. Other agents known to interact with thyroid hormone replacement, including soy supplements, are also reviewed. Because transdermal ET does not affect TBG levels and would not be expected to alter thyroid function, it may be a preferable modality for postmenopausal women who require concomitant treatment with ET/HT and T4.