Hi all. as you know I have been experiencing some unpleasant side effects lately. Excessive hair loss, burning scalp, extreme fatigue, painful joints, pale skin ect. First I thought it was the new batch of Levo, then I thought I may have rode my bike too far and exhausted my self, etc. Problem solved it was my HRT, I came across an article which mentioned that HRT can increase thyroid-binding globulin. I tried to consult with GP first as to what should I do but did not receive any feedback so I just decided to stop the HRT. That was three days ago and I'm already feeling more like myself and the hair loss has slowed down already thank god.
I would like to inform any other members that are also on HRT medications to be on guard for similar issues with their thyroid health. xx
"Excess estrogen levels or “estrogen dominance” causes the liver to produce high levels of thyroid-binding globulin (TBG), which, as its name suggests, binds the thyroid hormone and decreases the amount of thyroid hormone that can be assimilated and utilized by the cells."
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Angelic69
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Good to hear you may have found the cause of your issues Angelic69, but not good that you've had to dive in and stop HRT without being able to consult with your doctor about it. You may need new hormone tests done though, so don't stop pestering your GP about this.
Can you please give a link to the website that you've quoted the oestrogen/thyroid hormone info from so that others can go to the page if they wish.
I did ask for my hormones to be checked but was told by practice nurse it wasn't worth doing as i am on HRT,Kliofem and that they would be definitely not worth checking. She did not actually give me a reason but her body language suggested they would be out of sync. I had started taking flaxseed too at a high dose?
Ive copied whole page, dont know why link doesn't work , its quite a way down before you get to article,
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Estrogen, Progesterone and the Thyroid: Friends or Foes?
Published on 6/27/18
Estrogen Dominance and Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism affects women seven times more frequently than men. The epidemic of estrogen dominance among women is likely at the core of this disparity. Excess estrogen levels or “estrogen dominance” causes the liver to produce high levels of thyroid binding globulin (TBG), which, as its name suggests, binds the thyroid hormone and decreases the amount of thyroid hormone that can be assimilated and utilized by the cells.
Women with estrogen dominance may have a normally functioning thyroid gland that produces adequate amounts of thyroid hormone, however, because the hormone is inactivate when bound to TBG, little functional action is available at a cellular level and symptoms can present as if clinical hypothyroidism was present. Moreover, symptoms of hypothyroidism and estrogen dominance often overlap with weight gain, fatigue, low libido, hair loss, difficult cognition, low mood and irregular menstruation.
Estrogen Dominance Made Worse
Hormonal contraception, pregnancy, and synthetic estrogens prescribed during and after menopause exacerbate estrogen dominance and increase levels of TBG. It is also important to remember the exacerbation of estrogen dominance in hypothyroidism. Estrogen must first be made water soluble by the liver in order to be eliminated from the body. Hypothyroidism hinders the effectiveness of this this elimination pathway through the liver. This results in a build up of proliferative estrogen, increasing risk of pathologies such as breast cancer, uterine fibroids and ovarian cysts.
More Evidence
To further illustrate the connection between estrogen dominance and low thyroid function, consider polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), a metabolic disorder often resulting in anovulatory cycles and estrogen dominance. Progesterone is a hormone produced by the corpus luteum upon ovulation and functions to balance the effects of estrogen. Anovulation results in insufficient progesterone production and therefore, ongoing estrogen dominance. Endocrine Research published a study which found that Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, clinical hypothyroidism of an autoimmune nature, is highly prevalent among women with PCOS. They concluded that “Increased estrogen and the estrogen/progesterone ratio seem to be directly involved in high anti-TPO levels in PCOS patients.”
A study published in Molecular Cellular Endocrinology revealed 2- Methoxyestradiol, an endogenous estrogen metabolite “induced dramatic changes in (thyroid) cell morphology and decreased the viability of the cells, as well as disrupted the structural integrity of cultured thyroid follicles.” They found that this process results in the release of thyroid antigens that may play a role in high incidence of thyroid autoantibodies and autoimmune thyroid disease in women.
Estrogen Replacement Therapy
Yet another study correlating estrogen dominance and hypothyroidism from the journal Thyroid, found that oral estrogen therapy increases thyroxine dosage requirements in hypothyroid women, due to increased TBG and subsequent lower levels of free thyroxine. On a positive note, transdermal estrogen therapy was not found to affect TBG levels and therefore may be the preferred therapy for postmenopausal women who require concomitant treatment with estrogen and thyroid replacement.
Friendly Progesterone
To contrast the affect of estrogen on thyroid hormone, progesterone decreases TBG and increases the activity of thyroid hormones when present in adequate levels. Thyroid hormones, like progesterone, have a thermogenic effect on the body, accelerating metabolism and utilizing fat for energy production. The Journal of Endocrinology featured a study showing triiodothyronine (T3) significantly stimulated the release of progesterone from luteal cells. Furthermore, research published in Clinical Endocrinology concluded that progesterone therapy increases free thyroxine (T4). Additionally, progesterone exhibits anti-inflammatory effects, regulates blood pressure, protects bone health, improves mood and reduces anxiety, supports fertility, and aids weight loss.
Summary
Though the thyroid is a small, butterfly-shaped gland, its impact on the body is anything but minute and delicate. When treating patients for hormonal imbalances, it is imperative to understand the complex interplay between thyroid hormones and sex hormones. The research summarized in this article illustrates that improving the issues of estrogen dominance by decreasing excess estrogen levels and by supporting healthy progesterone levels, will also provide benefits for thyroid hormones.
References
Arduc A, Aycicek dogan B, Bilmez S, et al. High prevalence of Hashimoto's thyroiditis in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome: does the imbalance between estradiol and progesterone play a role?. Endocr Res. 2015;40(4):204-10.
Badawy A, State O, Sherief S. Can thyroid dysfunction explicate severe menopausal symptoms?. J Obstet Gynaecol. 2007;27(5):503-5.
Ben-rafael Z, Struass JF, Arendash-durand B, Mastroianni L, Flickinger GL. Changes in thyroid function tests and sex hormone binding globulin associated with treatment by gonadotropin. Fertil Steril. 1987;48(2):318-20.
Datta M, Roy P, Banerjee J, Bhattacharya S. Thyroid hormone stimulates progesterone release from human luteal cells by generating a proteinaceous factor. J Endocrinol. 1998;158(3):319-25.
Garelli S, Masiero S, Plebani M, et al. High prevalence of chronic thyroiditis in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol. 2013;169(2):248-51.
Kachuei M, Jafari F, Kachuei A, Keshteli AH. Prevalence of autoimmune thyroiditis in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2012;285(3):853-6
Kitamura S, Jinno N, Suzuki T, et al. Thyroid hormone-like and estrogenic activity of hydroxylated PCBs in cell culture. Toxicology. 2005;208(3):377-87.
Mazer NA. Interaction of estrogen therapy and thyroid hormone replacement in postmenopausal women. Thyroid. 2004;14 Suppl 1:S27-34.
Sathi P, Kalyan S, Hitchcock CL, Pudek M, Prior JC. Progesterone therapy increases free thyroxine levels--data from a randomized placebo-controlled 12-week hot flush trial. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2013;79(2):282-7.
Wang SH, Myc A, Koenig RJ, Bretz JD, Arscott PL, Baker JR. 2-Methoxyestradiol, an endogenous estrogen metabolite, induces thyroid cell apoptosis. Mol Cell Endocrinol. 2000;165(1-2):163-72.
Disclaimer: All information given about health conditions, treatment, products, and dosages are for educational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice.
Cortisol ah yes ive had quite a fair amount of inflammation.
I have heard of the adrenals having priority over they rest of the endocrine system especially the sex hormones. I was quite convinced that my thyroid diagnosis was due to adrenal hormones being very much in demand at the time.
Ive not heard of Pregnenalone is it transdermal. I was glad to read that transdermal hormone replacement don't seem to effect thyroid medicines.
As a result of taking Pregnenalone how much have you had to increase your thyroid replacement medication?
Transdermal solutions do not require increasing thyroid replacement dose which in turn will give your liver less stress
Im not to familiar with hormone requirements for those of us who have had a hysterectomy, did you not require progesterone to balance the oestrogen in the patch.
Well i hope that you continue to do well on your pregnealone. As i have discontinued my HRT for the time being i might give pregnealone a try. Thank you for your input. Blessings.
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Scientists say mystery of how red wine headaches occur may be solved
Conversion problems :(
Could it be a hormonal problem in stead of a thyroid one?
Possible thyroid problem.
