Hypothyroidism and endometriosis

[Luci20]

Yesterday I had a laparoscopy which confirmed endometriosis after 13 years of symptoms and this was removed. The endometriosis specialist said that this will have caused my hypothyroidism condition (Hashimoto’s) and that this is the most common autoimmune disease that is caused by endometriosis. Has anyone else with endometriosis and hypothyroidism been told this? Also I was advised by the endometriosis specialist to go on a form of contraceptive again to prevent the endometriosis from returning. However, last time I tried taking the progesterone only pill I had really bad symptoms and felt like my thyroid condition was effected by it. Has anyone else had this with contraceptives and then have had to change their levothyroxine dosage?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How interesting that endometriosis specialist is well aware of the connection between the two......almost always denied by endocrinologists

How much levothyroxine are you currently taking

Do you always get same brand of levothyroxine

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Yes extremely common to need to increase levothyroxine dose on contraception or HRT

As you have Hashimoto’s are you on strictly gluten free diet

[humanbean]

Has anyone else with endometriosis and hypothyroidism been told this?

I had endometriosis and I am also hypothyroid. I was never told there was a connection but I worked it out for myself eventually with research on the web.

90% of cases of hypothyroidism in the UK are autoimmune in origin.

I think a lot of researchers now assume that endometriosis is autoimmune too, but I don't think it has been proven. (I am out-of-date with endometriosis research.)

It has been known for a long time that anyone who develops one autoimmune condition is at greater risk of getting another one than someone who doesn't have an autoimmune disease.

[Topsy33]

Hi Lucie20

I too had Endometriosis.....very badly as it turned out. It was eventually diagnosed after many years of being fobbed of by GP. Had lengthy ablation under anaesthetic and had ‘suspicious’ ovarian cyst removed at same time,..... and I was later diagnosed with under active Thyroid although I had experienced symptoms since I was a child.....all ignored by doctors until things got to a critical level by which time I was very ill.

There does seem to be a connection between the two conditions but I suggest that underlying thyroid dis function is more likely to cause endometriosis rather than the other way around.

[Bettyheslop]

Hi, first I was hyperthyroid, I had radioactive iodine to treat it, now I'm hypothyroid. Then I was diagnosed with endometriosis which I am sure I had way before any thyroid problems. Then a few years ago I started developing food allergies.

I have been told once you have one autoimmune disorder you are much more likely to develop others.

It was actually the allergy specialist that told me he thinks everything is linked.

Years ago I had mirena coil and this didn't effect my thyroid.

4 years ago I had endometriosis removed and hysterectomy leaving just one ovary, 2 weeks ago I had that ovary removed as it had large endometrioma on it and more adhesions. I'm going to start hrt soon and am hoping it's not going to effect thyroid.

Sorry you are having to deal with all this. It's no fun.

If you try a hormone treatment I suggest just getting your thyroid checked more regularly. I got mine checked every three months while I had mirena. Xx