49 and perimenopause- Femoston?

[Msturge]

I have been feeling really crappy lately- heart palpitations, zero energy and tired all the time, foggy head and headaches, difficulty focusing and remembering things, can’t exercise so feeling depressed, and feeling anxiety which kicks off palpitations, etc.

First doc put me on Utrogestan but then I started feeling worse so stopped. Went to another doc for a second opinion, and to have my thyroid levels checked again (thyroidectomy) which were normal, so she said to stop Utrogestan and start Femoston, which I started last night, and if I am not feeling better after a month or two to stop it and go see a cardiologist (which I have done and was normal) and a psychiatrist to get meds for anxiety (which I said would not be necessary).

I am so confused from everything I read and how doctors could have such different views on the best way to handle menopause when it is so common- it is insane!

Any advice out there? On top of it we currently live in Thailand and with the language barrier I am really struggling, and a bit worried and stressed about it all.

[Marz]

Hi and Welcome ! Do you have your test results with ranges ? Always a good place to start as Docs often say 'normal' when they mean 'in range' - however it is where you are in the range that is key.

Low B12 - Folate - Ferritin - VitD can also be the cause of your symptoms. Low nutrients can be caused by low thyroid ...

[Msturge in reply to Marz]

Oh thank you for asking, I very much appreciate the help! We took off for the coast (beach will help me feel better temporarily!) but when we are back next week I will pull out my results. And should I have my levels of the above taken? I recently started taking B-complex again (I don’t eat meat) since I ran out a month or so ago...hmm, that is interesting isn’t it? The others I can check. We get plenty of Vit D as we are in the sun a bit daily from walking most places, and getting out of the city here and there.

It is so tricky since there is so much involved! So thanks for the help as a newbie in this battle!

[Marz in reply to Msturge]

I lived in Crete for 15 years and had an outdoor life - swimming etc. Both Hubby and I tested insufficient after a few years - we both have Hashimotos.

Your B12 result will be skewed due to the B12 in the B Complex - so needs to be taken into consideration. If the Complex contains Biotin then leave off for a week or so as that can skew Thyroid results.

B12 is good around 500+ - Folate and Ferritin good at mid-range and VitD 100+ if pmol /L measurement - in Thailand they will probably use ng/L so around 60 ...

B12 mostly obtained from meat ...

[Msturge in reply to Marz]

Thanks for this info! Didn't realize I had not replied properly. Crete- wow that sounds cool!

I started feeling better (now on week 2 of HRT) so I forgot about it all, until today when I was scheduled to see another doctor for a third opinion, now back to focusing on it!

I will check my B-Complex and see exactly what is in it.

[Msturge in reply to Marz]

And here are my test results, from November:

Estradiol: 259FSH: 15.9

And on Dec 28:

TSH: 1.34

T3: 64

Total T4 : 7.61

Free T4: 1.01

Thanks in advance for any input you may have!!!

[Marz in reply to Msturge]

Ranges are also needed - figures after the results !

[Buddy195 Administrator]

A forum member Ashanat recommended a book to me: The Hormone Cure: Reclaim Balance, Sleep, Sex Drive and Vitality Naturally with the Gottfried Protocol. I found this very useful and by completing some of the questionnaires, I was able to work out some natural options to try (eg brown flax seed/ maca powder etc). Mindfulness has also helps me (eg Mark Williams App or CD book: Mindfulness in a Frantic World) as does swapping high intensity exercise for Pilates when my energy levels drop. I have not needed any medication from my GP, as natural options are (so far!) working for me. Best wishes to you.

[Msturge in reply to Buddy195]

Thanks for sharing- I will check into them as well!

[RedApple]

Msturge, "to have my thyroid levels checked again (thyroidectomy) which were normal, "

As you've had a thyroidectomy you are presumably on replacement thyroid hormone, but you don't say what type and dose you are currently prescribed?

[Msturge in reply to RedApple]

Hi, and thanks. I am on 135mcg Levothyroxine.