Hello my last blood test was June this year. About a month ago I started HRT oestrogen patches and combined oestrogen/ progesterone patches. I’ve changed that to oestrogen only patches and micronised progesterone to take on the later half of my cycle. My cycles are over 90 days long and I suffer from vaginal atrophy and symptoms of urine infections regularly. This is despite taking localised oestrogen in the form of vagifem and oestrogen cream.
My medication was 150mcg T4 in June and 5mcg T3 and my blood results were the best T4 I ever had.
I reduced my levothyroxine to 125mcg and since starting HRT the dr has asked me to reduce my levothyroxine to 100mcg - I’ve met him halfway and reduced to 112.5mcg . I’ve seen an endocrinologist recently who has asked me to name what difference T3 makes to my life and that if my TSH isn’t suppressed in my next blood test. I might get it prescribed, in the short term.
HRT reduces the absorption of thyroid hormones! I’m feeling stressed and depressed more often and the uti symptoms are happening weekly which is hugely disruptive.
I remember IC or overactive bladder being associated with low T3 and it’s hard to know if I need more HRT or more thyroid hormones.
It’s catch 22 if I increase my T3 then my TSH will remain at 0.01 possibly. Anyone had these issues?
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Rosemoor
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Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after starting on HRT
When taking almost any dose of T3 TSH is almost always suppressed
Sounds like Endocrinologist is trying to give you an impossible hoop to jump through
Some of you issues seem to suggest under medicated
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 with Hashimoto’s
What vitamin supplements are you currently taking
Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .
Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood test. (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw).
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
If/when also on T3, make sure to take last 2.5mcg of daily dose 8-12 hours prior to test, even if this means adjusting time or splitting of dose day before test
Is this how you do your tests?
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins
Hello Rosemoor, I have similar experience (utis and atrophy) but don't know if I can help. In my experience HRT has improved my thyroid hormone response and I have read that when in balance each help the other. I am prescribed an oestrogen gel and also used natural progesterone + oestrogen cream. Vagifem did nothing detectable for the atrophy whereas the gel (applied to thighs or upper arms) has made a huge difference (the opposite of what was expected). I take T3 and don't worry about the low TSH but that's because without it I was barely functioning with a TSH of over 95 which is coma level, so it's not a choice. My endo expected that after some time on T3 my digestion would improve leading to better absorption from food and a rise in ferritin (mine is too low) so that my body would be able to convert Levo (T4) into T3 and would be able to return to Levo only without the T3. Might that be a possibility for you? Improved absorption leading to good conversion such that you would not need the T3 and then would not have the concern about the low TSH?
I used to get lots of UTI’s, at least one a month but it all got better after I had a mirena coil and then estrogen patches. No more UTI’s! For the vaginal atrophy, I also have this but haven’t mentioned to the dr as I take buckthorn oil supplements for it, I was recommended for dry eyes but it helps all dryness, I found I worked within a few days, for me it’s a cure.
hi did you ever get any joy with answers on this? i’m on 5 grains NDT and thinking of taking micronised progesterone due to peri menopause symptoms. the clinic want me to trial oestrogen patches at the same time,but i’m worried about oestrogen impairing my thyroid conversion ialready have to take 5 grains can’t afford more!thanks
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