HRT - does it take effect quickly?

[BiscuitBaby]

Hi For those of you on hrt do you feel the difference quickly or is it slow like levo? I am just about to start a trial of oestrogen patches and progesterone tablets. I still have regular periods but have on going fatigue and muscle aches, palpitations etc. Gp thinks it's because I'm perimenopausal. I am 48 I am due bloods this week for thyroid to get an idea of where they are before i start. Gp appears to be listening re thyroid changes on hrt. I'm just wondering how long it takes to settle into a dose. Thanks.

[Allthejays]

I started HRT (tablets) around 2 years ago and saw a difference within 3 days! The nights sweats stopped first and felt better in general within a week or so! Life changing to be able sleep through the night!!! 😀. Same situations as you at the time 48 and peri)

[BiscuitBaby in reply to Allthejays]

HiThanks for that. It's very encouraging. Sleep was great for a while after starting t3 but it's gone a bit haywire. 3 days is impressively quick.

[Allthejays in reply to BiscuitBaby]

I was quite surprised too! The sweats returned about 4/5 months later and my dosage was increased which again fixed it. Been steady on it since. Only thing I have now is horribly itchy skin (got nowhere with the GP) and now taking b vitamins - seems to be helping at last!!!

[BiscuitBaby in reply to Allthejays]

I've not had sweats. Muscle and joint aches, fatigue and palpitations are the biggest issues. Sleep was good, this week a bit elusive. Did you put on weight if you don't mind me asking? I'm already about 1/2 stone heavier than I would like but I just can't lose it! It's funny, my tsh was about 24 and my t4 about 7 I think but weight gain was never really a massive problem till I went onto thyroxine. I'm a bit worried about the weight gain on hrt!

[Allthejays in reply to BiscuitBaby]

Weight gain has been bad. Put on over 2 stone in 2 years. Think my metabolism left the country and is now living the dream in Fiji or somewhere else just as exotic! I am hoping the B vitamins may help with my skin, metabolism and appetite (never full) have joined the gym again too, as the only real way to stop the ‘gain’ is to move more!

[BiscuitBaby in reply to Allthejays]

Ooh yes, 5kg would be uncomfortable and so difficult to shift! I hope you get some success. @

[Regenallotment]

I’m not sure, for me it’s all mixed up with thyroid levels. 49 regular cycle if not on HRT, unsettled cycle on it and a night sweater. Recently suffered vaginal dryness for the first time 😳 I trialled some urtogestan with Lenzetto which definitely resolved the night sweats but I’ve put on 5kg which is uncomfortable. GP now referring to Bham genetics over familial cancer risk so going to trial ovestin cream only and see how that goes. Also getting Black Friday bloods done by Medichecks to see if I need to tweak my 75/5 T4:T3 as I’m starting to get under medication symptoms. My aches resolve when my FT3 is top of range and my ferritin is around 100. I think my ferritin has dropped a bit too. So closely intertwined and a moving target. Top tips are give everything time. I am definitely a bit impatient and have swapped and change too soon with HRT. Lactose in some of the products have really set me back. Hope you get on well 🙏🤗🌱

[BiscuitBaby in reply to Regenallotment]

Thanks, yes patience is lacking a bit but it's good to hear other people's experiences. I am fed up with feeling rubbish most of the time. Fingers crossed this is the missing part of the puzzle. If not it'll be back to do battle with Dr re thyroid again. I have bloods to get done tomorrow so I have a bit of a baseline.