HRT and Hashimotos

[Runner25]

I am on 75mcg Levo and 15 of T3. I started HRT 2 weeks ago, 2 pumps of the oestrogen gel in morning and 100 mcg of progesterone at night. I have felt very tired and flat since Tuesday and am wondering does HRT mess with thyroid meds?

[Frankie27]

Hi there. In my experience yes. My endo recommended HRT and advised me that Levo would probably have to be increased. I I initially felt great on HRT and then hypo symptoms started worsening. It took about six months and several Levo increases before I felt better. GP was great and regularly monitored on endo's advice.Endo also warned me that once you have a diagnosis of Hypothyroidism, the danger is that doctors assume everything is caused by that. Thankfully he checked my oestrogen levels !!!!

Good luck and hope you feel better soon.

[Runner25 in reply to Frankie27]

That’s good to know. I thought that would be the case and I have messaged my specialist now. I was hoping to feel better on HRT and I know it’s only been 2 weeks, but I feel worse! Very apathetic, flat, no energy. It’s never ending trying to get the balance right x

[Hidden in reply to Runner25]

Hi there, transdermal oestradiol gel doesn't interfere with thyroid hormones, it passes through the skin into your blood stream. It bypasses the liver because it's transdermal. Your thyroid hormone will pass through the liver. Micronised progesterone that your on, will utilise the thyroid hormone for the better. It increases your body temperature the same as your thyroid hormones do.

I am on T3, and continuously body identical hrt, same stuff as you. Oestradiol transdermal gel and100mg Utrogestan micronised progesterone vaginally ( less side effects).

It takes at least 3 months for your hrt to work. I feel great on it and it's been 6 years. I took it for hot flushes in the beginning however I take it for prevention of age related diseases now. We're all living longer and I want my hormones to give me a better quality of life. It truly works. And what your on is the best because it's body identical. I couldn't live without my thyroid hormone so why would I want to live without my female hormones.

All the best

☺️

[Runner25 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks for that. I’ve only been on it for 3 weeks but I am actually feeling worse not better. From reading about it I think it’s the progesterone. I feel flat, almost zombie like, period cramps, actual period now too and bloated! I don’t want to give up already as it was a very big decision to start on it having had breast cancer 17 years ago. I had my ovaries out 11 years ago so immediate menopause then and despite being a healthy weight , exercising pescatarian I then got high blood pressure, then osteopenia and then Hashimotos. My menopause specialist agrees that it’s highly likely that these health problems stem from the early menopause. It took me 3 years of backwards and forwards to different specialist to get T3 6 months ago, after 2 years of trying to exist on Levo. The T3 has helped, but I’m still not back to full health and am very up and down, I’m hoping the HRT is the missing link, but so far I’m feeling worse. Did you find the HRT took some tweaking before you got the benefit? Did you have any side effects? Sorry for long message! I need some hope!X

[Hidden in reply to Runner25]

Hello there, Sounds like you've had a really rough time, very difficult for anyone to go through.

Unfortunately it can take a few months or so depending on the person for hrt to settle and for a woman to feel comfortable on it and symptom free. As I said micronised progesterone and oestradiol transdermal gel is body identical therefore less risks and less side effects, however saying that most ladies do find the progesterone the problem if they have any. I used to take it cyclical, estrogen gel every day and the last two weeks of month I included the Utrogestan micronised progesterone vaginally each night because less side effects I found, then at the end of that two weeks I'd have a withdrawl bleed. I did have tender breast and some fluid retention for about three months but it settled. My body got used to the cyclical routine, it takes time.

Then only for a year from 21 to now I've been on continuous hrt because I don't want a bleed and I again had breast tenderness and fluid retention and abit of pms in the beginning and I thought oh god I couldn't be doing with this but it did go completely after the third month.

I know these symptoms are exhausting and makes us feel like giving up but I hung on because it settles down and the progesterone actually works as a diuretic and makes your skin lovely and has many other benefits along with the estradiol. I use it to prevent age related diseases. I really see the difference in my hair and skin and I have no joint stiffness or pains. My mood is level and I'm calmer not moody, no anxiety.

Also I look forward to each night to taking both the sandrena estradiol gel one &half sachets along with my Utrogestan progesterone as it just makes me so relaxed and I fall asleep really well.

It's actually aided in my weight loss because I'm balanced.

I don't have any breakthrough bleeding or sweats. I feel happier because I was getting quite depressed before hrt, between that and balancing my T3 it was difficult. But really what choices did I have but only to try balance everything. No one knows how we really feel with all this, it's really difficult, real symptoms that affect our lives. But just think positive and educate yourself. And it's pays off.

I have regular b12 injections for pernicious anaemia and top myself up with injections too because NHS isn't going to make me optimal. And I take a variety of vitamins and minerals and I only walk to get some exercise, to get moving and clear my mind.

I've had no help from my GP. I've only listened to Dr Louis newson on YouTube menopause matters and menopause Barbie, who's hysterical but is excellent in explaining things simply regarding hrt.

I know you've been through alot here but don't give up yet. If you don't continue you will regret not knowing how you can feel.

Progesterone is like a sedative to some that's why you take it at night to help you sleep but maybe some women feel groggy in the morning.

That's why I take it vaginally to avoid that and tender breast. Vaginally is off license but still safe.

I can honestly tell you we're lucky these days to have available body identical hrt because can you imagine how women in the past really felt having nothing, no option and a really poor quality of life.

Some women try different types of hrt like a patch which is the same oestradiol but with a progestin in it that's synthetic. It's just another choice if it suits better, but micronised progesterone is safer.

I'm sure you're aware of the varieties of hrt anyway.

Any way things will get better for you they really will even though you may doubt it. Just really be kind to yourself because everything you've been through is a big deal and now what your trying to do is another challenge but for the better. So remember that. 🙏😊

You're actually getting back everything your body needs isn't that fantastic.

There's plenty of good advice and support here

and check out those menopause dr's I mentioned.

I'm now adding Androfem testosterone for women to my hrt. Women make 3 times more testosterone than oestradiol so I am having that.

Take care now 🤗

All the best.

[Runner25 in reply to Hidden]

Thank you for the good advice. I have listened to all the Louise Newson podcast and also The Thyroid Fixer, but I haven’t heard of Menopause Barbie! I could definitely do with some light relief so I’ll check her out! I’ve learnt more about Menopause and also thyroid in the last 3 years than I ever imagined I’d need to! Thank god for podcasts and Utube. My GP tried to give me the Mirena, but my body pushed it out straight away! She says it was because I’d been without hormones for so long and we can try again in a couple of months. I do like the sleep effect of progesterone, that is 1 good thing for sure. I’ll try to stick with it as like you I worry about future health and I don’t want to throw in the towel yet x

[Hidden in reply to Runner25]

I don't blame your body rejecting the mirena because it's good to be in control with the progesterone orally or vaginally and I definitely appreciate the sleep part effect from it .Yes menopause Barbie will crack you up, she's hysterical but gives it straight.

However if I went to my doctor and explained things the way she does using props such as the 3 bears , momma bear has estrogen pappa bear has Testosterone and baby bear progesterone I think my doctor will put me away haaa X

[Jamima in reply to Frankie27]

Hi Frankie27 - is your endo private? If so woujd you please pm me with the name.

[HeartWoman]

I am right there with you. I was way overdosed on estrogen and not given in progesterone because I don't have a uterus.

I started seeing a Natropath roght before Christmas and immediately saw that I had hypothyroidism and started me in NP Thyroid He id helping me get my estrogen down and progesterone up. I was also very deficient in testestrone, so using a little of that was well. He just started the new sex hormones protocol a week ago.

I have been told for a very long time that I just have anxiety and depression, but no antidepressant helped and I knew it wasn't that.

I just feel all over the place right now. I hope it all starts leveling out. I don't even recognize myself right now.

All that to say, estrogen and thyroid do effect each other and you have to educate yourself and find a medical professional who is willing to help you.

[Runner25 in reply to HeartWoman]

The Menopause Doctor also known as Louise Newson does very good podcasts about all areas of the menopause. Very informative. Good luck to you, I hope you get balanced soon. Xx

[Josephineinamachine]

Hi Runner25 sorry I know this is an old post but I’ve just started HRT again after a 2 year break trying to sort out my thyroid…how are you getting on now? I’m bracing myself…!!!

[Runner25 in reply to Josephineinamachine]

The same really, have a couple of good weeks then a couple of bad! Since hrt my t4 has dropped from around 18 to 11 and I can feel that it has. I honestly think that without t3 I’d be on the floor! They now want to drop my Levo though as I’m suppressed at 0.01, same old story. I’m not really sure what to do and feel that it must be the hrt that has affected my t4, but the medical bods don’t seem to think so. My Endo just said that it oestrogen can affect thyroid ‘but it’s complicated’!! I’ve been on it 5 months now and am wondering whether to come off it soon. I would say have a thyroid test before and then keep an eye to see what’s it’s doing! It’s just not simple is it! Good luck to you xx

[Josephineinamachine]

Oh no I’m sorry this is happening for you!! It’s just such a mess all this isn’t it? I’m glad you’re on T3 - at least that’ll keep you going. I’m not because I couldn’t tolerate it. Weird the medical peeps deny the impact of oestrogen on thyroid medication - if you Google it you get bombarded with info. Do they all live under rocks or something?? My T4 was pretty poor at last blood test so… 🤷🏻‍♀️ but I’ll re-test in a couple of months. Felt amazing on day 3 of adding oestrogen. Day 3 only. 1 and 2 not so much - 4, 5 and 6 not so much either!! 😳 I hope you find a solution soon. Thank you for replying 😊 xx