Period problems / how to balance hormones?

[Queenofwands1212]

Female 31.

So as I am in this lovely process of trying to optimize my thyroid, I have missed yet another period. (No there’s no way I’m pregnant because I’m celibate). When I got my hormones checked in oct, all of my hormones were low. Testosterone, progesterone, estrogen , all low. The “doctor” I saw who claimed to be a hormone and thyroid specialist refused to help me with my hormones? Even though all of my symptoms are thyroid and hormone related. She was good for nothing and I told her I would never see her again and told her she invalidated all of my symptoms and wasn’t listening to a word I had to say.

How can I balance my hormones? How can I get my testosterone levels normal? I am using progesterone cream to hopefully bring my period on . I take vitex, and shatavari. I am trying to de stress and not work out too heavy. Also currently on 30mg armour. I have every pms symptoms with no bleed, and PMDD to the extreme. I just need relief. I need to get my period. What do I do?

Attaching my labs in case anyone has questions about thyroid levels

[Lizzo30]

Evening primrose oil is good for balancing hormones and bringing on a period you could take 2-3 x 1000mg capsules for one day then take 2 x 1000mg capsules per day until you come on your period .Idk how epo will react with levothyroxine it can cancel antipsychotic drugs ( not suggesting you are on them ) and it was used to induce post term babies it should never be taken if you are pregnant - again I know you arent but for others reading What is your diet like ? I ask because all hormones are made from cholesterol

[Queenofwands1212 in reply to Lizzo30]

I have a brand new bottle of EPO and I’m going to start taking it way apart from my Armour. Thank u

[greygoose]

You're not taking statins, are you?

[Queenofwands1212 in reply to greygoose]

No. Just Armour and occasionally LDN

[greygoose in reply to Queenofwands1212]

OK What's your cholesterol level like?

[Queenofwands1212 in reply to greygoose]

I really don’t know. But I eat plant based and I eat healthier than anyone I know because I’m terrified of most foods lol. So I stick to a very Whole Foods plant based diets. Please don’t tell me to eat meat,

I don’t eat meat for religious and ethical reasons

[greygoose in reply to Queenofwands1212]

I wasn't going to tell you to eat meat. lol Cholesterol levels have little to do with diet. People with the healthiest diets can have high cholesterol if they're hypo. Because it's made in the liver, and the liver adjusts the level according to how much in ingest in your food.

For some reason, I have very low cholesterol. Even when I was diagnosed hypo/Hashi's, it was only 0.1 over-range. And no-one knows why (or cares, come to that!). I've had liver tests, and there's nothing wrong there. But, low cholesterol levels do mean low sex hormone levels because they are based on cholesterol (thyroid hormone is iodine based). So, I was wondering if maybe you had naturally low cholesterol too, like me.

And, as proof that it has nothing to do with your diet, I eat one hell of a lot of cream, butter, cheese, and other high cholesterol foods, and it doesn't make the slightest difference!

[Queenofwands1212 in reply to greygoose]

That’s interesting. I probably do have low cholesterol.

[greygoose in reply to Queenofwands1212]

There's only one way to know!

[Serendipitious in reply to Queenofwands1212]

Are you eating enough to get a period I wonder? Especially carbohydrates.

larabriden.com/are-you-eati...

[gabkad]

Was your prolactin checked? Low thyroid can cause elevated prolactin without the presence of a microadenoma and result in absent menstrual periods. Been there.

Elevated prolactin will have an effect on estrogen and progesterone. Using only progesterone will not permit the endometrial thickening required to eventually have menstruation. In fact, use of progesterone is to outbalance estrogen dominance to reduce the thickness of the endometrium.

[radd]

Qow1212,

LH & FSH are pituitary hormones, as are prolactin & TSH. The later two correlate positively and the first two inversely with prolactin. Therefore, if TSH is raised, so prolactin will be and LH & FSH will fall.

LH & FSH are a part of the regulation of periods together with oestrogen & progesterone. Therefore, in hypothyroidism (that results in high TSH) menstrual changes are common.

This is a very simplified version, so even when we succeed in medicating enough thyroid hormone to reduce TSH, the complexities involved may quickly reverse if we are lucky or take longer than good thyroid biochemistry, ie whensymptoms lag behind good results, but your TFT's look as if you are still under-replaced anyway.

I wouldn’t be supplementing with any sex hormones until thyroid hormones are optimised with meds that are working well because the chances are periods will start then again anyway. To get thyroid meds working adequately you may need to look at iron & nutrient levels, and possibly supplement for the adrenals.

[FancyPants54]

You are quite young to be missing periods and to have low levels of all hormones. You probably need to go and talk to a normal GP and ask for help with this. I read just this morning about a British comedy writer who missed 5 periods in a row and it turned out she had a pituitary adenoma. This sort of thing needs to be ruled our or dealt with for you. Don't panic, they aren't awful things, but they do happen and they affect all hormones including thyroid.

I'd start by asking your GP for referrals to have a CT Scan of the pituitary and see what they say.

[Queenofwands1212]

In the states, a normal GP will say they can’t help you and go see a gyno or an endocrinologist. I have an endo and she’s worthless. General p suck as well because they just want to refer you out to a specialist. GP IS THE WORST

[Hidden]

I recently was referred to the breast cancer clinic. Given the all clear but the consultant recommended Starflower oil supplements. They've been proven to be more effective than evening primrose oil, apparently, in regulating hormones.

Might be worth a go while you're waiting further investigations.

[Cw91]

Have you been on vitex for a while? Just I know that it can prevent ovulation in some people and lead to long cycles with no period. I'm no expert on other hormones but I know this from personal experience!

[Queenofwands1212 in reply to Cw91]

I thought it was supposed to literally BRING ON periods? Not the opposite.

[Cw91 in reply to Queenofwands1212]

It is, that's why I took it! But from asking others in a ttc group I was in several has the same problem and a few were seeing naturopaths who said that vitex can inhibit ovulation in some people. Very frustrating!