Has anybody experienced drastic change in their menstrual cycle with hyperactive thyroid?
My cycle went from stable 25/27 days to 17 days. I've never experienced this and quite alarmed. Is this symptom of hyperthyroidism normal? Does it eventually go back to normal when in remission? Anything in particular I should ask my doctor about ?
Thanks in advance!
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tromashka
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Exactly the same happened to me when started carbimazole. Long cycles & light periods drastically changed to short cycle and heavier periods too! It did settle down for me once my levels were stable. Although I have to say I have noticeable PMT & bloating now which I did not have before.
Yes, 2periods in a row closer together and heavier. Im using m cup so can properly see the increase. I was surprised the disballance happened only now, 5 months after I started experiencing the symptoms ( 2,5 months after starting carbimazole).
Did yours go back to normal after taking less carbimazole and stable hormone levels ? Im on 20mg carbimazole now and T4FREE/T3free are in range. TSH still supressed.
Did you supplement with iron or were you advised on anything specifically when experiencing this cycle move?
I never had a very regular cycle but I when my thyroid levels are rising or high I have light periods which is a known hyperthyroid symptom. Would prefer if they stayed like that but that’s not my normal.
I currently have low TSH, FT4 Midrange & FT3 around 20%. They seem slightly heavier but not a bad as when I first started carbimazole and was almost below range. I’d like to lower the carbimazole dose and allow my levels to rise a little but as I’m well I’m playing ball with the endo to see if my TSH rises & hopefully they won’t forget to test it next time.
I had ferritin tested around the time and it was ok, I didn’t supplement iron. I probably get more than adequate from diet. But you have a case for them to test you & supplement if you need iron.
My doctors didn’t offer any advice & not very supportive really as levels in range.....not thyroid related.
Never had hormones tested but I’m 43, and I lost 85 pounds last year so weight loss might have affected cycle.
Thyroid hormones influence female hormones by high levels increasing their synthesis & metabolic clearance rate. This results in elevated oestrogen, testosterone, etc. Sometimes this will also increase SHBG (sex hormone-binding globulin) which transports estradiol, testosterone, etc, which then encourages more to be bound and less to be free (available for use).
Similar to the HPT & HPA axis, the HPG axis (hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal) is also involved in a negative feedback system where the hypothalamus secretes GnRH (gonadotropin-releasing hormone) stimulating LH (luteinising hormone) and FSH (follicle-stimulating hormone) produced in the anterior pituitary gland. These hormones then activate the ovaries to produce oestrogen that regulate the menstrual/ovarian cycle, and inhibin that inhibits activin and stimulates more GnRH production in the hypothalamus.
I was hypo and had an awful time with periods too so either way isn't good for the female reproductive system.
Thank you for this explanation. I appreciate it.Im in my 40s and dont plan more children. But am quite upset with this disballance especially that I thought i was doing fine on getting into remission.
Would that be Endo's job to advise me on processes further?
Definitely worth mentioning but endo might only recognise your issues as some way off connection to thyroid which is not in his remit but those of a gyne.
And if the issues were caused by elevated thyroid hormone, they should hopefully rectify once thyroid hormones are stabilised anyway.
I haven't been diagnosed yet but my period cycles have started to get longer and when I do come on, they're very light. Only use about 3 pads whereas years before I would go through at least 12 pads.
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