Hello members , I’m looking into using HRtT patches to relieve menopause symptoms. There’s been lots in media about the benefits and relief of symptoms after trying everything natural by Davina Mcall , Liz Earle and Nadia Swartz(Loose women) presenter about them being amazing and safe Very different to the older version of HRT .
Anyone know more about how it affects thyroid or any other side effects of HRT ?
When I was put on HRT (transdermal estrogen ) I was told it would not affect thyroid hormone levels as only oral estrogen does that by raising TBG levels (thyroid-binding globulin).I briefly tried patches but could not make them stick (they kept falling off) so I was switched to estradiol cream (Oestrogel).
Unless you´ve had a hysterectomy you also need progesterone along with estrogen. I was put on bio-identical P (Utrogestan).
In my own experience, bio-identical HRT (the only one I tried) works very well and without side effects as long as you are on the right dose.
Ok thanks I have a mirena coil for management of periods so that releases progesterone they said so I’d only need patches of oestrogen. Does the cream work aswell why do they try patches first?
Great to know it didn’t affect your thyroid . Did you feel much better for using it?
Yes, it helped me a lot. I was told that today´s HRT with bio-identical hormones and lower doses is not the same as in the 1950s and 60s when synthetic hormones and much higher doses were used. I think it´s a personal preference if the doctor prefers creams, patches, or gels. I had problems with patches falling off during exercise which is why I found the cream easier to use. Once when Oestrogel was out of stock for a while I was offered Lenzetto (spray) instead and found that even easier to use as it dries literally within seconds.
That’s what I’ve been told .
Microdot does not have issues with not sticking or interfere with thyroid. I’ve been using it for years without problems.
All I’ve been told is I can use bio identical hormone gel or patches not sure if that’s it what you’ve mentioned
Microdot is Bioidentical patch.
i recently discovered a website called alva ( can’t post the link but google alva menopause). it’s a non profit set up by a GP and her daughter, after the GP went into menopause after breast cancer & was shocked at the lack of knowledge around menopause in the medical world.there is a questionnaire then you can speak to a doctor for free. they charge around £30 a month for hrt if deemed appropriate
i’ve just started on progesterone cream myself and i have seen some impact on my thyroid levels ( free t4 down but free t3 stayed up), i’m on ndt which contains t3 so maybe that’s why. i’m still investigating whether it’s my own sex hormones changing that caused the thyroid adjustment or the introduction of progesterone cream. my day 3 oestrogen has gone down over the same period.
i think generally speaking it’s fair to assume hrt will affect the thyroid hormones in some way, but there seems to be very little knowledge in thyroid experts about menopause and vice versa. I would suggest you could test all thyroid levels ( tsh ft4 and ft3, and antibodies if you suspect autoimmune ), every 6 months and keep a record- this will help with monitoring impact. i do these tests through thriva, but if done through GP ask for print out of results with reference ranges each time ( i put mine in a little document alongside symptoms and date which really helps me monitor myself)
I’d been using serenity progesterone cream and it hadn’t affect thyroid bloods but hasn’t got rid of breast pain mood swings pms etc like it’s meant to
I’m on NDT aswell .
i use biovea and my pms is much reduced! no idea if that's placebo though!
That’s awful you went through that
They use bio identical hormone patches or gels now the last few years so maybe that type is different to the one you took ?
Yes that’s very true the symptoms are awful in menopause but equally I don’t want to get cancer either
my oestrogen levels went from 169 to 125 in six month and my testosterone went up. but so far cannot get any information on whether this indicates peri menopause!
yes that’s the link thank you 
How annoying. Guess though your not tempted to try HRT again though ?
Oh so because you had hysterectomy they gave you oestrogen only and not progesterone then ?
If you have your womb they give u both progesterone and oestrogen it’s shame you can’t have the combined one are there’s little risks to that I think or have I got that wrong ?
Can’t you ask nurse if you can have combined HRT . I’m going to see a menopause nurse privately
I had this one and both times it was above the range. however the doctor says shbg and fsh can be pushed up by t3 ( i assumed this was to do with suppressed t3 but that was a guess)there are very few sex hormone experts who understand the thyroid and vice versa it can make for quite a confusing conversation ( as i’m sure you know from your experience!)
i think i may book to see a doctor at alva myself as it’s free but waiting to see if my increase in thyroxine alongside ndt makes a difference ( my ft4 was 4 percent and ft3 56 percent despite being on 4.5 grains ndt!)
it’s progesterone cream from biovea i use it days 14-26, thinking of switching to micronised progesterone long term needed but don’t want to keep adding stuff until i’m sure it’s not just my hashimotos/thyroid
definitely! thank you i had the regenerus day 21 test with cortisol last year which showed oestrogen dominance, hence the progesterone cream. my cortisol was normal except mid morning slightly low. it could well have changed now so i may test again!
hoping to find a decent expert- was thinking of the hashimotos expert tanya B in lewes but very expensive
Oh you look much younger than that in your picture 😊
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