Not in a good place - HRT / Hashis Flare or Stress and Overwhelm

[Levo50]

Hi 👋

Really not functioning well two weeks into my Endo putting me on low dose Premique HRT

Stress levels are off the scale I feel terrible, not functioning (but have too especially in work) I’m all out of sorts, I’ve no patience, I don’t want to socialise and I’m being quite firm or off with people which just is not my personality, I’ve no focus, lost my personality and have no interest in myself!

I spoke to a lovely female GP who I am going to see later she strongly suggests sticking with HRT but modern patch or gel

Some of my old symptoms have returned, intermittent pain in right arm, carpal tunnel, headaches and sweats which I’ve not had in years any suggestions welcome, my husband thinks my Endo is clutching at straws and I certainly feel far worse the last few months - I am so sad, teary and low

My last bloods from a previous post….

My results February / July 2021

TR = Through Range

Levo Dose Feb 61.25 / July 87.5

TSH (0.27-4.2) Feb 3.1. / July 0.08

Free T4 (12-22) Feb 13.7 (17% TR) / July 17.3 (53% TR)

Free T3 (3.1-6.8) Feb 4.03 (25.14% TR) / July 4.7 (43% TR)

Vitamin D (50-175) Feb 51.6 / July 77. (Medicated 800-1600 per day)

Vitamin B12 (37.5-187.5) Feb 65.7 / July 71

Folate (3.89-19.45) Feb 9.86 / July 6.1

Ferritin (13-150) Feb 207 / July 175

Thyroglobulin Antibodies (<115) Feb 22.6 / July 56.1

Thyroid Peroxidase Antibodies (<34) Feb 91.9 / July 128

CRP HS (0-<5) Feb 0.78 / July 1.7

[SlowDragon Administrator]

How long since you started on HRT

Thyroid levels need testing 6-8 weeks after

HRT often results in needing dose increase in levothyroxine

Folate and B12 are borderline

Are you currently taking any B vitamins

Vitamin D still not high enough yet. But might be higher at next test

As you have Hashimoto’s have you had coeliac blood test done

Are you on strictly gluten free diet

July Ft4 and Ft3 show you’re under medicated

How much do you weigh in kilo approx

[Levo50 in reply to SlowDragon]

How long since you started on HRT - 2 weeks

Thyroid levels need testing 6-8 weeks after - yes

HRT often results in needing dose increase in levothyroxine

Folate and B12 are borderline

Are you currently taking any B vitamins

Vitamin D still not high enough yet. But might be higher at next test

To above I only want to make one change at a time otherwise I don’t know what’s working

As you have Hashimoto’s have you had coeliac blood test done - yes at your recommendation = negative

Are you on strictly gluten free diet - no Endo said don’t need too and I find it difficult plus as above only want to make one change at a time

July Ft4 and Ft3 show you’re under medicated - the more I have upped my meds the worse / hyper I have felt so reluctant

How much do you weigh in kilo approx - 65

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Levo50]

Guidelines on dose by weight would give just over 100mcg daily as likely dose levothyroxine required

65 x 1.6 =104

Possibly a bit higher if on HRT as HRT generally seems to result in needing increase in dose

Have you had cholesterol levels tested

High cholesterol linked to being under medicated

[Levo50 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you SlowDragon … I will Leave my Levo dose then and see how I feel on the gel HRT, then I may consider increasing, just when I’ve increased in the past I’ve not felt great, so guess one rule doesn’t apply to all?

Cholesterol is fine

[sunbee]

hi Levo50.

Here is my HRT and levothyroxine story...

I was on levothyroxine 25mg daily.

I weaned myself off Livial (not a conventional HRT). It did the trick for me but I was concerned about estrogen impact on my levothyroxine and the number of years I'd been on Livial.

After going off Livial I felt terrible; slept badly, exhausted, stressed out, tearful, depressed and generally ill.

After a few months I went back to my doctor asking to be put back onto a alternative form of HRT. I had another blood test. Because I was asymptomatic she upped my levo to 50mg.

I have now been on estrogen patches and progesterone tablets.

I am so very happy with the estrogen patches and progesterone. A bonus is the progesterone helps me sleep better at night = wonderful! Levo 50mg suits me fine.

My take on HRT is I have to live in the hear and now, life is too short to struggle daily. The quality of my life is so much better.

I feel for you, I have been where you are!

I hope you can find a solution to your thyroid issues.

[Levo50 in reply to sunbee]

Very kind of you to share, excuse my copy & paste it’s the only way I can function at the moment…

Here is my HRT and levothyroxine story...thank you

I was on levothyroxine 25mg daily…. I was on 50mcg for 20 years

I weaned myself off Livial (not a conventional HRT). It did the trick for me but I was concerned about estrogen impact on my levothyroxine and the number of years I'd been on livial for years

After going off Livial I felt terrible; slept badly, exhausted, stressed out, tearful, depressed and generally ill…. Strange as I’ve only been on HRT 2 weeks and these are my symptoms with

After a few months I went back to my doctor asking to be put back onto a alternative form of HRT. I had another blood test. Because I was asymptomatic she upped my levo to 50mg.

I have now been on estrogen patches and progesterone tablets… I have just come out from a visit to a lovely understanding GP who suggests I’m burnt out, offered sick note but I cannot go off, she’s overruled my Endo as she doesn’t agree with premique and has given me Oestrogel pump and Utrogestan 100mg for bedtime …. As I only want to make subtle changes I won’t change Levo but feel I may reduce due to hyper symptoms

I am so very happy with the estrogen patches and progesterone. A bonus is the progesterone helps me sleep better at night = wonderful! Levo 50mg suits me fine…. So happy for you gives me hope!

My take on HRT is I have to live in the hear and now, life is too short to struggle daily. The quality of my life is so much better…. Agree!

I feel for you, I have been where you are! That’s very caring thank You so much 😊

[marigold22 in reply to Levo50]

You're saying the progesterone helps you sleep better at night. I'm now very post menopausal, but progesterone cream got me through PMT and the menopause. I personally am very anti HRT, I learnt that progesterone cream supplies adequate amounts of progesterone and will convert into oestrogen if it's needed in the body. Progesterone is the true female hormone, it multiplies during pregnancy. There were two (I believe) excellent private doctors who recommended using progesterone cream. They stated that the majority of people are oestrogen dominant nowadays, from taking the Pill and from pollution.wellsprings-health.com

[Levo50 in reply to marigold22]

I’ve been informed by the GP the progesterone helps with sleep but I only started the tablets last night not the cream - thank you for the information and link I will certainly have a read

[Lizzo30]

Hi Levo 50 I think low progesterone may have played a part in your developing hypothyroidism Also low progesterone may be an issue for you now what HRT are you on ?

[Levo50 in reply to Lizzo30]

Oh really … I’ve been HYPO for decades, I’ve been on premique for 2 weeks but felt dreadful tonight I am going to start oestrogel pump and Utrogestan 100mg - never heard progesterone causes hypo before

[Lizzo30 in reply to Levo50]

Utrogestan is a natural bio identical form of of progesterone you are really lucky to be prescribed that was it an NHS GP ?

Most people don't know much about progesterone larabriden.com has lots of info you might find interesting regarding female hormones

[Levo50 in reply to Lizzo30]

Thank you … I read it was bioidentical, i was pleased, yes I visited an amazingly understanding female GP I feel lighter already

[Levo50 in reply to Lizzo30]

Also thank you for the site recommendation it looks fantastic