Gp visit!

[Fakrah]

hello all.

I have only very recently started having irregular periods and decided to mention it to my doctor. I am 39 and have never had a problem with my periods. He turned around and said its all related to my thyroid being so low! I mentioned about tested foe hormones(dhea/estrogen etc) and he declined. Has anyone here tested the above and found anything? Many thanks

[Jasminum]

Hi Fakrah,

I had my androgen levels (including DHEA) tested in 2022 and they were significantly elevated and I was diagnosed with PCOS. I should also note my period had been irregular for years prior and at times didn’t have my period for 3 months.

I was diagnosed with Grave’s disease (hyperthyroidism) this year but from what I’ve read it is more common to have hypothyroidism with PCOS.

I am not a medical professional so I cannot give much advice but I suggest researching PCOS, the symptoms associated with it and most importantly listening to your body because you know it best. If the symptoms of PCOS are aligned with what you are experiencing you could push to get those blood tests again. Emphasise to your doctor in detail how irregular your periods are and the severity of the symptoms, if you have not done so already.

I hope this helps and that your situation improves.

[Fakrah in reply to Jasminum]

Thankyou

I dont have any one the pcos symptoms as i have had a good run just upuntil recently. I have 3 children all without a struggle and really confused at this point. But will get a private lab blood test.

[Jasminum in reply to Fakrah]

That is a good idea, going private is probably the best thing you can do right now. It’s just unfortunate that it will not be tested under universal healthcare. I hope you get answers and see improvements in your health soon!

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

So did they increase your Levo? You need to insist if they didn't.

We need the right amount of Levothyroxine for our body to work well. 50mcgs that you have been on is just a starter dose and should be retested every 6-8 weeks, dose raised and repeat until you feel well.

Did they also prescribe for your deficient vitamin D? If not then you need to start yourself.

When hypo we get low stomach acid which means we cannot absorb vitamins well from our food, regardless of a great diet. For thyroid hormone to work well we need OPTIMAL levels of vitamins. Have you recently or could you ask your GP to test levels of ferritin, folate, B12 & D3? Private tests are available, see link for companies offering private blood tests & discount codes, some offer a blood draw service at an extra cost.thyroiduk.org/testing/priva...

There is also a new company offering walk in (includes free blood draw) & mail order blood tests in London, Kent, Sussex & Surrey areas. Check to see if there is a blood test company near you. onedaytests.com/products/ul...

Only do private tests on a Monday or Tuesday to avoid postal delays.

[Fakrah in reply to Jaydee1507]

Hello my new blood draw is on monday and he said will review and increase after them. I take vit d and supplement some b12/folate. I will wait till my tests as i want to see how much or if i have not improved.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Fakrah]

I'm glad to hear that they will increase your Levo.

Its a slow process arriving at a place where we feel well. It can take some advocating on your own behalf, trying different doctors to get an increase that you need plus getting vitamin levels to OPTIMAL.

Thyroid hormone will only work well when our vitamin levels are OPTIMAL, not just within range.

Do get your GP to run bloods for key vitamins ferritin, folate, B12 & D3 as you need to be taking enough of any supplement otherwise its pointless.

Make a new post with your new results, quoting reference ranges as well. We can then help you feel better.

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Fakrah]

By the way, low thyroid hormone levels will cause issues with period irregularity so not to worry too much about that. Just get the bloods done and post in this group for comments.

[pennyannie]

Hello Fakrah :

Well if your doctor already knows your thyroid levels are too low -

why hasn't he helped you before now -

is he a fortune teller - as usually we need to run blood tests first !!!

OK - so you need an early as possible morning appointment and you need to fast overnight, just taking in water and do not take your T4 for that day - until after the blood draw - leaving around a 24 hour window from last dose of T4.

Also is taking any supplements leave all these off for around a week - so we measure what your body is holding on to rather than what you have just ingested.

Hopefully you will have a TSH, Free T3 and Free T4 run and if you can also get the antibodies, inflammation and your ferritin, folate, B12 and vitamin D run - these are the mainstay thyroid readings we need to have to understand and explain back to you what it all means and your next best steps back to better health.

[Hidden]

You might be going through beginning of menopause. I know it sounds early at this age, but my grandmother lost her period in 38. Her menopause symptoms started later. She never had any problem with thyroid (it's running in my family from my grandfather's side, so I "inherited" hypothyroidism from my mother and my great-grandmother).

[HealthStarDust]

Period issues are common in hypothyroidism especially when starting Levothyroxine as well. I think of you focus on getting your dose optimised and stable sole of these issues you are expending may subside.