Levothyroxine and Longer Menstrual Bleeds/Periods

[HealthStarDust]

Hello fellow Thyroiders,

So far as I have been increasing my dose (still optimising dose) my periods length have stayed the same around 5/6 ish days. The cycle itself has varied since starting levothyroxine by an about a few days (from a 26 day cycle prediagnosis and treatment to 26-31 days since diagnosis and treatment).

However, this time I have had a period (albeit light) for 2 weeks and counting which coincides with my latest dose increase (75mcg 1 day followed by 100mcg the next day following this alternating pattern).

Everything I have read from others experiences suggests periods stop, or become irregular (which to me means a longer cycle).

So, my question is this: is having longer periods normal? If not, any suggestions?

I’m trying not to worry so I’d be grateful if anyone can share their knowledge on this.

[TiggerMe]

Being hypo has likely led to a drop in your other hormones and brought on perimenopause symptoms, which creeps in at least 10 years before menopause and does mess with your cycle 🤗

Hopefully once your thyroid hormones are up to speed your other hormones will also settle

[HealthStarDust in reply to TiggerMe]

Gosh! When it rains it pours! Although, I am seriously beginning to suspect the levothyroxine is the cause.

[TiggerMe in reply to HealthStarDust]

If you need it you need it so most likely it is showing up the other imbalances... have you reached somewhere near optimal with the levo and all the other vits and mins?

[HealthStarDust in reply to TiggerMe]

Bar from Ferritin which is either 65ug/l via venous blood test from GP, or 110ug/l via finger prick test with MMH, all vitamins look excellent now (don’t get me started on this anomalies in Ferritin).

As for levothyroxine dose, of course TSH has come down, FT4 and FT3 fluctuate (and like the ferritin vary based on test method) but that aside, going by symptoms alone which I think is far better than these tests, I would say I’m closer to optimum dose. I am of course having to take a much safer gradual approach since the original 100mcg full replacement starting dose proved to be far too much for my body handle.

I remain strongly suspicious that the levothyroxine is throwing everything off. I am more inclined to think that Levothyroxine causes more periods disturbances than appreciated then perimenopause at this stage.

[HealthStarDust in reply to HealthStarDust]

P.S. eyeore do you think supplementing with iron could be the culprit here? Perhaps the prolonged bleeding is the boy’s way of getting rid of excess iron?