Enquiry re HRT and Levo

[smilingjane]

Wondering .... If Taking HRT means need more levo needed, is that refllected in blood results?

[helen_m]

It was reflected in my TSH but only in a small way eg it went from very low approx 0.02 to 1.25. I did feel underactive though and my GP was happy to put my levo up by 25mcg. I am on transdermal patches though but even so I still needed more levo. If you're taking HRT in pill form, I think you need to keep it four hours away from your levo.

Helen

[smilingjane in reply to helen_m]

Ah, so shows in Tsh, but does it show in T4 too?

[helen_m in reply to smilingjane]

Don't remember about free T4 sorry

[smilingjane in reply to helen_m]

Thanks Helen 😊

[JAmanda]

Yes plenty of evidence HRT affects absorption so you need more levo. I think maybe I’m taking 50mcg more but that could be as I was under medicated before.

Doc didn’t mention the effect on levo when she prescribed it of course!

[smilingjane in reply to JAmanda]

Hi JAmanda thanks forgetting back. What I meant was, does it show in blood results that you are not absorbing so much? Does it look like your okay but you need to take more that raises T4 so it looks like your too high? 😊

[Batty1 in reply to smilingjane]

I'm thyroidless and female organless (lol) I take Estrogen, Synthyroid and Cytomel and never once was I told by any Endo or GP that I need a higher thyroid dose because of the estrogen.

I take my estrogen 4 hours away from my thyroid meds and my labs have been fine then again as long as your TSH falls within the ranges your doctors will say ...."Atta Girl" keep up the good work your labs look good ....idiots.....I suspect most of us ladies are under medicated due to other meds /health conditions but at last the Endos don't care as long as the King TSH is in range.

[smilingjane in reply to Batty1]

Hello Batty 1

.. just replayed to you and lost it! try again .....I am feeling a little perplexed, not understating!!

Does this mean that if I take HRT and say my blood tests show in the high levels range with T4 that it's not necessarily converting to T3 because of the HRT? but that non conversion dosnt show up? Would it show up on th T3 test I wonder,

🤔

[Batty1 in reply to smilingjane]

I don’t know a thing about converting T3 to T4 .... I guarantee neither will your GP or Endo it’s best to take your HRT a few hours away from your thyroid meds.

Research HRT and thyroid disease I’m sure you will find lots of stuff.

[smilingjane in reply to Batty1]

Thank you! I have been researching for over a year and just when I think I am understanding some thing ... something else enters the equation .

like the Intetaction between vitamins or interactions with the menopause!!

I will get there though.

Our bodies are wonderfully complex things aren't they.

Good luck with your health issues 😊

[Batty1 in reply to smilingjane]

I think you should go by how you feel vs. worrying about converting or not converting, after a while you could make yourself mad trying to consume so much “what if “scenarios.

Menopause and hypothyroidism = Not fun

[JAmanda in reply to smilingjane]

Basically, if I take the estrogen mid morning because I forgot the night before I get a pain in my ear - the same pain I get if I take calcium also known to stop absorption of levo, or eat grapefruit, also known to stop it. So sounds mad but it’s all about feeling the loss of levo in my ear! It’s taken me ages to reach this conclusion but I’m guessing the ear thing is referred pain from the thyroid.

I could be wholly wrong but for years I thought the pain meant over medication, but I’m convinced now it’s under medication. Bah nooneknows anything! Which I guess is why the advice on here is just medicate yourself till you feel better. (Plus get your vits and t3 up if you can.)

As you seeing it in a test, yes I’d guess you’d see it if you were in a stable dose and started taking HRT - I’d bet the t4 would go down and the tsh up. Think that’s what the studies say.

All the best!

[smilingjane in reply to JAmanda]

Thank you JAmanda, and all the best to you 😊

[BadHare]

It shouldn’t do, though make sure to keep them well apart by >4 hours, & also vitamin D.

[smilingjane in reply to BadHare]

Evening BadHare

So if I keep apart you think that shouldnt effect conversion

🤔

[BadHare in reply to smilingjane]

You can only try.

I know my hormones go awry if I take these too close together so I take THs first thing, D at lunchtime, & HRT in the evening.

[smilingjane in reply to BadHare]

Sounds like a good plan 😊