Could HRT be effecting my thyroid levels?

[Happyfairy09]

Hi all,

Hope ok, advice needed on the following test results...

Prior to this test was taking 2grains of armour daily around 6-7am one dose.

26th April 2022

Thyroid function test

Serum free T4 level 12.3 pmol/L [11.0-22.6]

Serum free triiodothyronine level 4.6 pmol/L [3.5-6.5]

Serum TSH level 2.0 mu/L [0.2-4.0]

Reason for test, due, also feeling very symptomatic with hypothyroidisum symptoms, too many to list.

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7th July 2022

Thyroid function test

Serum free T4 level 13.4 pmol/L [11.0-22.6]

Serum free triiodothyronine level 6.0 pmol/L [3.5-6.5]

Serum TSH level 0.01mu/L [0.2-4.0]

Retest due to spliting armour thyroid in 2doses now between 6-7am/late afternoon, recommendation was to have a retest in around 6wks, gp agreed, retest done on 7th week.

Been taking hrt 2mg since June 2021, felt better since up to 2mg dose daily a month after, however, now it seems hypo symtoms are back, could possible link with HRT, since spilting the does have felt a little but only a little less tired, bones not as achy but hips/ legs seem to stiffen up even if sat for a short time, i'm 49 nannie and your kind advice is very much needed please.

Thank you in advance.

[radd]

Happyfairy09

Splitting your dose seems to have positively improved your bodies use of thyroid hormone meds. I have to do this too.

Which HRT are you taking?

[Happyfairy09 in reply to radd]

Hi, thank you for your reply, hrt currently taking is Elleste solo 2mg estradiol tablets.It seems a little it does, however, feel i've got a long journey ahead to being anyway feeling better, never been optimal. Function off half thyroid, left side removed 12yrs ago due to multinodualgoiter

Thank you

[radd in reply to Happyfairy09]

Happyfairy09

Extra oestrogen can cause an increased amount of protein carriers that bind thyroid hormone making them inactive. When women take oral oestrogen it is usual to need a thyroid hormone med dose increase but I've just noticed you started HRT over a year ago and if your tests were taken like-for-like then latest results don’t reflect a shortfall of 'frees' relating to HRT but typical of Armour which has proved too T3 potent for many.

If you followed forum testing protocol of last dose 8-12 hours before blood draw your FT3 is quite high. If you left longer FT3 would be over range. Either way you may find improvement in reducing FT3 levels and introducing a little bit of Levo to balance a better T4/T3 ratio. If I were you so I would also be investigating possible inadequate levels of cofactors (iron & nutrients) essential in allowing thyroid hormones to work more effectively to alleviate symptoms.

Why aren’t you on progesterone as well? Have you had a hysterectomy?

How long have you been medicating Armour?

[Happyfairy09 in reply to radd]

I have the mirena coil fitted to help initially with perimenopausal/monthlys, been taking armour 10yrs, prior to that levo only for 2yrs.

[Happyfairy09 in reply to Happyfairy09]

Last dose of armour was day before blood test that was done around 8.50am

[Shazy-B]

Are you taking your HRT at the same time as your armour? Ideally there should be a 4 hour gap between taking, alternatively you could ask for HRT to be changed to a patch, it’s a much better/safer way to take and there will be no interference with your thyroid medication.

[Happyfairy09 in reply to Shazy-B]

Hi thanks for your message, i leave a gap between armour & hrt, thanks

[sue_b in reply to Shazy-B]

As Shazy comments, topical HRT is MUCH safer, it bi-passes the liver. I apply my eostrogel or spray at night before bed when I also take my Utrogestan (progesterone derived from Yams), Levothyroxine in the morning on waking. Since starting HRT I have not seen any changes in my thyroid levels. I have been having regular blood tests to look at sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) and mine has reduced since starting HRT. You can check out the British Menopause Society for sources of info . Best of luck.

[Happyfairy09]

Update: had follow up call in regards to latest blood work done with GP yesterday, GP agreed to introduce 25mcg of levo to armour to see if helps and improves sypmtoms/thyroid levels, blood work to be redone in 6wks, still feel lousy but progress.