Shorter menstrual cycle

[Dondays]

Hi all upped my Levo to 75mg 3 weeks after 13 years on 50mg, I’ve had a few issues which I have posted about, now there’s another one 🙄 my period is 9 days early, 19 days after my last period… it’s lighter than previous ones which is good but I’m a bit concerned, could it be the upped dose of Levo causing it? As stated in previous post I have severe health anxiety and along with bloating, fatigue etc I have become paranoid about ovarian cancer, again most of these symptoms apart from the fatigue habe got worse since upping my dose, this is now making me so anxious, I’ve never had a period that quick after the last one, I’m 45 so I guess it could also be perimenopause? What a flipping minefield x

[Hidden]

Personally, my cycles were always really regular (when I didn't interfere with them going on and off the pill) at one point I always came on on the 25th of the month, regardless of the length of the month. It was quite incredible!

They were incredibly short when I was still breastfeeding (16 day cycle on average!)

They settled into an alternate 22 day then 26 day cycle. Since my last increase in levo it's changed again 28 days then 25 days, currently on day 18 with no idea of when I'll next have a period!

This is likely more detail than you were after (!) But perhaps it might allay some of that health anxiety.

Don't forget the endocrine system is to do with hormones. Levo may change your thyroid hormone levels directly but that doesn't mean it has no impact on the rest of the very delicately balanced hormonal systems in your body.

Or! As you say, it could 'just' be menopause.

Health anxiety is awful; mine is improving but it's a battle. X

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Looking at previous posts have you got vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested recently?

Request GP tests or test privately

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

Bloating is extremely common hypothyroid symptom and should improve as levothyroxine dose increases

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Re-reading previous post

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Which brand of levothyroxine are you now taking?

Request GP test thyroid antibodies, vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at next thyroid tests

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase or brand change in levothyroxine

If you can afford to test vitamin D now that would be a start

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

Vitamin D should be at least around 80nmol and around 100nmol maybe better

[Dondays in reply to SlowDragon]

Taking north star and accord I have always taken these x

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Dondays]

Northstar 25mcg is Teva

Northstar 50mcg and 100mcg are Accord

Recommend you ONLY take Accord

Accord don’t make 25mcg tablets.

Get prescription changed to an increased number of 50mcg per month and cut 50mcg in half to give 25mcg

Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. Teva contains mannitol as a filler, which seems to be possible cause of problems. Teva is the only brand that makes 75mcg tablet. So if avoiding Teva for 75mcg dose ask for 25mcg to add to 50mcg or just extra 50mcg tablets to cut in half

But for some people (usually if lactose intolerant, Teva is by far the best option)

Teva, Aristo are the only lactose free tablets

Most easily available (and often most easily tolerated) are Mercury Pharma or Accord

Accord is also boxed as Almus via Boots, and Northstar 50mcg and 100mcg via Lloyds ....but doesn’t make 25mcg tablets

beware 25mcg Northstar is Teva

List of different brands available in U.K.

thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-hy...

Teva poll

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription.

Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.

New guidelines for GP if you find it difficult/impossible to change brands

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

academic.oup.com/jcem/artic...

Physicians should: 1) alert patients that preparations may be switched at the pharmacy; 2) encourage patients to ask to remain on the same preparation at every pharmacy refill; and 3) make sure patients understand the need to have their TSH retested and the potential for dosing readjusted every time their LT4 preparation is switched (18).

Levothyroxine is an extremely fussy hormone and should always be taken on an empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after

Many people take Levothyroxine soon after waking, but it may be more convenient and perhaps more effective taken at bedtime

verywellhealth.com/best-tim...

No other medication or supplements at same as Levothyroxine, leave at least 2 hour gap.

Some like iron, calcium, magnesium, HRT, omeprazole or vitamin D should be four hours away

(Time gap doesn't apply to Vitamin D mouth spray)

If you normally take levothyroxine at bedtime/in night ...adjust timings as follows prior to blood test

If testing Monday morning, delay Saturday evening dose levothyroxine until Sunday morning. Delay Sunday evening dose levothyroxine until after blood test on Monday morning. Take Monday evening dose levothyroxine as per normal

REMEMBER.....very important....stop taking any supplements that contain biotin a week before ALL BLOOD TESTS as biotin can falsely affect test results - eg vitamin B complex