Numbness, hrt

[Billy2023]

Sorry this post is 2 questions. I have an underactive thyriod. Been on 100mg of levo for 8 years now. But over past 2 years been feeling much worse. 6 months ago went on to hrt but think this is making me worse although initially felt better. Does anyone else suffer problems with menopause, hrt and thyriod? I read hrt can stop the levo from working. Also does anyone else experience numbness in limbs and even their face some times when feeling under active?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Please add most recent thyroid and vitamin results

Extremely common to need dose increase in levothyroxine on HRT

Being on too low a dose levothyroxine will result in low vitamin levels

Are you vegetarian or vegan?

What vitamin supplements do you take

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine or after starting or stopping HRT

Any HRT tablets should be minimum 4 hours away from taking levothyroxine

 

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested 

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once 

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

Do you have Hashimoto’s

Request GP test vitamin levels and thyroid

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies 

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis. 

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis 

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test 

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options and money off codes

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 and includes BOTH TPO and TG antibodies -£29 

randoxhealth.com/at-home/Th...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. 

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism 

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...

[RedApple Administrator]

Billy2023,

' I read hrt can stop the levo from working.'

HRT refers to (sex) Hormone Replacement Therapy. Levothyroxine is a thyroid hormone. So, you are supplementing a collection of hormones, all of which need to be in tune with each other.

Have you had your thyroid hormone levels tested since starting HRT? If not, that would be a good thing to do. That will help with trying to figure out what's causing your symptoms.

[Billy2023 in reply to RedApple]

Thank you. I haven't had my thyriod checked for while, maybe 6 months so that was before the hrt. I do have a set from medicheck which I need to use just waiting for being of week and need to stop taking biotin don't I? Thanks again.

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to Billy2023]

stop biotin 5-7 days before test

Do test early Monday or Tuesday morning and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

Do you always get same brand levothyroxine at each prescription

[Mccrae]

from my personal experience I had to increase synthroid after starting estrogen cream. I am still in the midst of fing the correct dose of estrogen. I get all hormones and vitamins checked on a monthly basis since starting. I also have had a partial hysterectomy so we have gaged the time of the month by symptoms such as hand and foot numbness, dizziness, low feeling, and dry eyes. Therefore I am still increasing estrogen until symptoms go away. I am perimenapausal.

[Billy2023 in reply to Mccrae]

Thank you so much. The numbness is horrible isn't it.

[Mccrae in reply to Billy2023]

the dizziness bothers me the most when estrogen drops so quickly

[Billy2023 in reply to Mccrae]

Sorry if I missed it if you said but you know what your going to do? I'm considering even coming off hrt.

[Mccrae in reply to Billy2023]

I am not. I believe it is about finding the right balance. Whenever I felt constant numbness I had to increase estrogen. I only 5 months into using. But it is hard to find balance

[FoggyThinker]

I found that progesterone made me feel like a zombie (utrogestan which is body identical seemed even worse than the synthetic one) although this was before I started treatment for Hashimoto's; I've noticed other members here saying the same thing.

[Billy2023 in reply to FoggyThinker]

Hello thank you for your message. Did you come off the hrt in the end?

[FoggyThinker in reply to Billy2023]

Yes, when I had a hunch that was causing the problem - within a couple of days the worst of the brain fog lifted. After that I stopped it. I'm now seeing a Private GP (I couldn't get the Hashimoto's diagnosed via the NHS) and am due to test female hormones and see if she can suggest alternative medications.

[Billy2023 in reply to FoggyThinker]

I've lowered my dose or hrt and starting to feel better. I also feel like weight is coming off as well. Hrt does make you put on weight, you feel same? Don't think it's so bad if you don't have the thyriod complications as well.

[TiggerMe Ambassador in reply to Billy2023]

Other way around I think, low estrogen adds weight around your middle, I remember upping my thyroid dose once I started using HRT I certainly won't be giving it up 🤗

[Trina64]

I am on both estrogen and thyroid. Some women need to increase their thyroid when on estrogen. It has something to do with estrogen binds thyroid in someway. I think I have my estrogen where it needs to be and now working on my thyroid. I just increased it about 5 days ago and hoping over the next few weeks I start feeling more like myself. This hormone balancing thing is not fun.

[Lovecake]

I’m on HRT patches. Can’t take the tablets - give me constant migraines.

I was on patches before Hashimoto’s diagnosis. But GP persuaded me to come off 18 months ago. I managed 3 months then put myself back on them. It made me feel terrible and messed up my thyroid levels. I won’t be coming off the patches again. (I had a full hysterectomy @ 44, now 57).

My endo (private for T3) is pleased I’m on HRT for my bones (and me, for my sanity 🤪) ☺️

[Melonhead0908]

Hi yes I'm on levothyroxine take 100 1 day 75 the next been taking this drug for over 30 years. Also on HRT for the past 6 years. I feel my symptoms are worsening, sensivity to temperatures. Brain fog, tired, low mood one minute then happy the next. I will be turning 60 this year and really don't know if my thyroid is out or is it the HRT making it worse or vice versa! I'm due a blood test today once I have the results I will post to see if anyone can advise.