Hypo / Hashi's and HRT! Any success stories please!

Hiya!

I am hypo and probably have Hashi's (but not confirmed by medics unfortunately), and I am also in the change (52).

I have also recently been diagnosed with early onset osteoporosis with some bone density loss, possibly caused by menopausal changes and/or thyroid imbalances (as suggested by my Rheumatologist 🤔🙄). I'm also experiencing hair thinning. My Rheumatologist is recommending HRT, but I'm reluctant to take it, as I don't want anything to interfere with my Thyroid meds / levels.

I would be really grateful if anyone who is hypo and on HRT, can let me know how they're getting on. I'm unsure what to do!

Thanks!

[JAmanda]

Lots of women take hrt and thyroid meds. I do. No probs at all. The oestrogen gel isn’t meant to affect absorption. More importantly what are your current tsh T3 and t4 levels? What are you currently taking?

[Hidden in reply to JAmanda]

My last blood test a few weeks ago showed my T4 in the middle of the normal range and my FT3 was very slightly higher on the normal range. I currently take Thyroid S NDT. Do you know if the Oestrogen gel can cause hair thinning and weight gain?

[JAmanda in reply to Hidden]

I havent found that at all. Many many women use hrt and love it and lots of threads on here discussing it. Isn’t it meant to help bone density? I’d be wondering if your thyroid meds are optimal maybe? Guess you’ve already been on a journey here!

[Hidden in reply to JAmanda]

Hi! Yes, it is supposed to help with bone density according to my Rheumatologist and Thyroid issues on top of menopause can cause bone loss. He recommended I cut back on the Thyroid meds even though he only tested T4 & TSH. My T4 is in the mid of normal range and only my FT3 is just very slightly over range being 6.3 (norm range 3.7-6) and felt ok on that. I take Thyroid S and have a suppressed TSH which is normal when taking T3. I was very reluctant to start HRT so I am on the NHS waiting list to have the once yearly infusion for osteoporosis, which with all the delays during the pandemic, it could be 6 months wait.

[JAmanda in reply to Hidden]

I don’t really get your reluctance to start hrt at all!

[Hidden in reply to JAmanda]

The side effects and possible increase in chance of breast cancer as stated in the information provided by the NHS

[JAmanda in reply to Hidden]

Yes I guess lots to think about.

Breast cancer risks chart

[FancyPants54 in reply to Hidden]

Menopause causes weight gain, not the HRT. Old myth. Hypo causes hair loss. All transdermal HRT (gel, patch, spray oestrogen) are not supposed to affect thyroid meds at all. Only the tablets, and then, as I said in my other response, it's minimal and you just adjust your thyroid meds to suit.

At 52 you are in a hormonal maelstrom. The HRT will help to smooth things out, but you will still get bad days now and then. The older you get the easier the HRT makes it. It literally gave me my brain back. I had stopped reading for pleasure. Stopped being able to make decisions. Feeling grey and flat all the time. No motivation, no joy. All that's gone in the bin.

[Hidden in reply to FancyPants54]

👍! To be honest, the thought of having it was for the bone loss and hair thinning, which can accelerate in the menopause. The flushes and night sweats, I thought were manageable if unpleasant. This drives my family mad trying to keep the house at sub zero temperatures to alleviate my wonky thermostat.

[SarahJane1471]

I take HRT and Levothyroxine . Transdermal HRT (gel, patches or spray) do not effect absorption of Levothyroxine. If you have menopause symptoms then I cannot recommend enough that you use HRT. Try Google search on Dr Louise Newsom.

[Hidden in reply to SarahJane1471]

Thank you, I will certainly look up that Dr. Did you suffer with hair thinning before or after you went on it?

[SarahJane1471 in reply to Hidden]

No ! I just felt great 😂been on HRT for 5 years. I will stay on it for life. Remember, like thyroxine, once you’ve lost estrogen you never get it back again. You don’t go “through” the menopause you just stop making estrogen and progesterone ( and testosterone). Do not listen to scare stories follow Dr Newsome. She explains everything 😀

[Hidden in reply to SarahJane1471]

Thanks, for the info, appreciate it!!

[FancyPants54 in reply to Hidden]

It's Dr Newson, not Newsom. Her brilliant web site is now rebranded as balance-menopause.com

I can't recommend that web site enough. I'm lucky to be a patient at the clinic. It's not cheap, but it's good and has been worth it for me to get sorted. You have a doctor willing to help you, so look up the options and go and ask for what you fancy trying. If one type doesn't suit you another will. It's a bit trial and error at first.

[Hidden in reply to FancyPants54]

Thanks, I'll look it up tonight!

[Spangle15]

Hi

I take thyroxine and HRT (Lenzetto and micronised progesterone). It does effect my levels and every time I have upped my HRT dose, I have had to drop my thyroid meds. But it is worth it to ease menopausal symptoms. I also have low bone density, no-one knows why and HRT is considered a good treatment for it. Personally I would rather take HRT than a biophosphate. It is also important to do weight bearing exercise, take Vitamin D and K2 along with magnesium. The jury is out on calcium but I have to take it because I have low calcium levels if not.

[Hidden in reply to Spangle15]

Thanks Spangle15! I'm surprised you've had to reduce your thyroxine dose, I would have thought it would need increasing instead. Is Lenzetto an Oestrogen? Have you experienced weight gain and hair loss since being on the HRT?

[Spangle15 in reply to Hidden]

Yes I am unusual as most people need to increase. Lenzetto is an oestrogen spray.

I’ve not had hair loss, I have put on weight but you be honest, my weight was starting to go up pre HRT, I think due to menopause and it’s actually stabilised now. However I was underweight pre menopause so it’s actually better for my bone density to have gained a couple of pounds.

[Hidden in reply to Spangle15]

Thanks, under weight has never been an issue for me 😅. I'm desperate to keep a slim weight after gaining tons of weight when I was pregnant with my twins and my Thyroid issues went through the roof. They're 12 now, and only quite recently have I got back to my comfortable weight & clothes size.

[FancyPants54 in reply to Hidden]

I'm on Lenzetto and a gel combo. I love it. I've gained weight from being hypo. Here's a link to a video on the Newson site where 2 doctors and a menopause practitioner talk about the myths around HRT. I'm sure the weight and hair questions will come up in it.

balance-menopause.com/menop...

[serenfach]

You would have to drag the HRT from my cold dead hands. I take a pill form and I have never thought it effected my NDT (also on Thyroid S).

[Hidden in reply to serenfach]

😁 That's good news, thank you!!

[FancyPants54]

Oh goodness! Take the HRT, it's a game changer! If you need to increase your thyroid meds a little as a result then that's easy to do.

Seriously you need HRT for your bones and heart, but it's a miracle for your brain.

I'm a complex work in progress thyroid-wise, but I'd not be without my HRT for a minute. And not only be on it, make sure you are on enough oestrogen to help you. Doctors are happy with really low levels but we need our oestrogen to be decent to help with bone loss. It can be used in some instances for osteoporosis, although it's not front line. It probably should be.

[SarahJane1471 in reply to FancyPants54]

👏😀

[Hidden in reply to FancyPants54]

I think I need to speak to my doctor 😊, thanks!!

[Hidden in reply to FancyPants54]

Has your doctor mentionad what decent levels of estrogen are?