Feel awful all the time

[Rubytp]

Hi all,

I have been feeling really awful for about a year now, I’m 48 and think I’m perimenopausal, it has been getting worse and so have my menstrual headaches. I have to right off at least 3 days just before my period because I feel so bad. I also am so tired all the time and I have lost my get up and go, I don’t want to do anything, not even take my dogs for a walk. I also have developed very straw like hair. Ihave been put on HRT patches even though all my hormone tests were fine, which hasn’t helped at all.

I thought maybe it could be a thyroid issue, what do you think?

[ladylou_uk]

I tried Vitex (Agnus Castus I think it's also called?) for really bad PMS symptoms the week before my period and it worked like a charm. I used it for 2 months on and 1 off, I remember reading you are supposed to take small breaks from it. I think it basically helps to balance your hormones. Might be worth a try?

Have you ever had your thyroid tested?

[Rubytp in reply to ladylou_uk]

Hi lady Lou,

Thanks for the reply, I will look into vitex, anything is worth a try. I have sent for a thyroid test kit as didnt want to bother GP during this pandemic.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

Rubytp

Ihave been put on HRT patches even though all my hormone tests were fine,

I would have to question a doctor's logic in that case!

I suggest you get a full thyroid/vitamin panel to include

TSH

FT4

FT3

Thyroid antibodies

Vit D

B12

Folate

Ferritin

Your GP wont do them all but you could see what he's willing to offer. We also have recommended labs which offer home fingerprick tests (or self arranged venous blood draw) and do all those tests in one bundle. They also normally offer venous blood draw either at home or a clinic but this is on hold at present. Normal post is being delayed at the moment and it's essential that the blood sample arrives at the lab the next day so you'd have to consider the cost of that. It might be worth waiting until things get back to being a bit more normal.

[Rubytp in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks for your reply, it’s all a bit of a minefield. I have sent for a thyroid test, I was put on hrt for the headaches but it hasn’t helped, so will stop that I think and keep trying to look for a solution. Thank you for the advice.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to Rubytp]

Please make sure that you use a postal delivery service that guarantees next day delivery so that your blood sample isn't spoiled by delayed delivery. Normal first class post is being severely delayed at the moment and the blood may not be viable if it takes too long to arrive. It's also important that it doesn't arrive at the lab at the weekend.

When doing thyroid tests we advise doing the test no later than 9am, nothing to eat or drink before the test other than water. If you take Biotin or a B Complex leave this off for 7 days before the test. If you are including vitamins in the test and you take iron tablets then leave these off for a week as well and don't eat high iron food such as liver, liver pate or black pudding in the 7 days before the test.

[Shield-Maiden in reply to Rubytp]

Hi Ruby, Just a thought (not many people think to check this) but think about adding Prolactin to the list of things to have checked. A lovely doctor recommended this to me, turns out that my prolactin was very high, causing my headaches (non cancerous pituitary tumour)....now on meds to thrink the tumour. Good luck. Tracy

[Hidden]

Hello

Sorry to hear you are not feeling yourself.

How long have you been on the patches?

[Rubytp in reply to Hidden]

Hi butterfly,

Thanks for reply, about 6 weeks on patches .

[Hidden]

I only ask because I’ve been on HRT for about 6 years (I’m 51) and found one that did suit eventually but what I learnt (the hard way) is you have to bite the bullet and give at least 3 months before deciding it’s not working. Sometimes it can feel as if things are a bit worse after starting.

It’s like all things hormone- thyroid etc- it can take quite a while for the body to balance out as it works on storage and is tied into the whole endocrine system.

I think we think it should work like other medication. I know I certainly did and got very frustrated and impatient initially with different preps thinking why is this not working yet?? Then I’d stop and change without really digging in. I just lurched from one thing to another to thinking it was something else. I felt so rubbish I was desperate for relief/ for an answer/ solution. A private menopause specialist then insisted I stick for at least 3 months on one type and he was right, it did eventually work! It’s just a thought?

And yes, they should test your sex hormones before starting but they invariably don’t and go off age/ symptoms/ period history etc the opposite to thyroid where it’s all about the bloods/ TSH and many focus on that only, not symptoms.

It’s just awful when you don’t feel right/ unwell for a sustained period of time. I feel for you as I’ve been there and then more recently with now hypothyroidism/ Hashimoto’s. Another hormone journey?

Did you just stop using patches? I didn’t get along with them but most do. Did your doctor offer an alternative? Gel? I know patches and gel are best/ safest for migraines etc x

[Rubytp]

Thanks butterfly for taking the time to answer me, I will carry on with patches for another month but I really don’t think they are helping but I understand what you are saying. I will keep on this journey and hopefully get to the bottom of it. I’m sorry it’s been a struggle for you too, us women do have our problems.

Take care

[Hidden in reply to Rubytp]

You too! It is hard for us women having to balance it all- and there is no saying your thyroid might also be in the mix! Good luck with the bloods and post up when you get them. So many experts on here- they’ve helped me enormously xx

[porter5]

would vitamin-mineral supplements help?

[Hidden]

Vitex is a lovely herb for peri-menopause. All hormones interact. In menopause, the major drop in estrogens can upset the apple cart!Dry hair/skin fatigue, constipation, depression, may signal "sub-clinical hypothyroidism", so your test results look OK but in fact aren't adequate....for you. Old timers would take iodine in some form to "support" thyroid functioning. Dunno what's available where you are, but surely some sea kelp, or liquid iodine (Lugol's) would be doable. Hope you feel better soon. Peace.