Do you think you’ve gone through a genuine ‘menopause’ or could it be caused by being hypo? My periods stopped relatively early at around 45 (I’m 51 now) and I wonder whether undiagnosed hypothyroidism was to blame. I’ve not suffered from the classic menopausal symptoms but have tried numerous HRT regimes in order to alleviate what I now recognise as hypo symptoms.
It’s good you’ve been given gel and progesterone (utrogestan?), normally they prescribe cheap tablets. What time do you take your thyroid meds? You need to be aware that oral HRT (the progesterone in your case) needs to be taken at least 2 hours away from levothyroxine.
It’s not common to start on testosterone straight away because you need to improve your oestrogen levels first. If after a few months you still feel there’s room for improvement, you might want to then look at testosterone. It’s not easy to get it prescribed on the NHS but not impossible. There’s other ways to get it. I’ve recently resumed HRT after a break of 9 months during which time I’ve been focusing on my thyroid. I use a combination oestrogen/prog patch called Evorel conti, which I top up with a pump of oestrogel. The patch suits me better than anything else I’ve tried, and I’ve tried a lot. Fewer side effects. Although! I should say that previous attempts at HRT pre-dated any thyroid meds (I’m on 60 mcg levo and 9mcg t3. Not yet optimal). I’m taking it because I know it’s good for my bones and heart, amongst other things. I recently tested my sex hormones and I am clearly post menopausal.
I’ve never had a dexa scan - actually had a request for one turned down recently - so I’m afraid I can’t comment on the specifics of your results. But I know that several forum members are taking various supplements further to their own dexa scans and I’ll tag two of them here (hoping they don’t mind!) radd and TiggerMe
What prompted the dexa scan, if you don’t mind me asking? The criteria for allowing them are quite strict it would seem.
Hi, curious as to why you say you need to take Levo and Utrogestan 2 hours apart? I take mine at the same time last thing at night and my thyroid levels have remained completely unchanged.
I actually got it wrong, according to members such as SlowDragon , need to leave at least 4 hours between levothyroxine and oral HRT. Levo is a very fussy medication from what I understand and its effectiveness can be negatively affected by taking it with other meds, supplements, food etc.
This thread goes into how levo can interact with other things in more detail:
I'm in a similar situation although I have osteopenia and not osteoporosis. Diagnosed via a DEXA scan ordered by my GP in May 2023. I've issues with knee pain since my late thirties and recently with cracking knees and shoulders. My periods stopped when I was 43. I'm now 46 and I wonder the same thing. Not sure it was a genuine menopause. They also came to a sudden halt during lockdown not a gradual decline. I was really depressed, lonely, stressed and fearful during that time partly due to covid restrictions.
Oh bless you, that sounds difficult. So are you saying you get pain from osteopenia? A GP told me recently that osteoporosis doesn’t cause pain so I assumed that in her mind neither would osteopenia. Mind you, this is the same GP who tries to persuade me to try CBT to “come to terms with my lack of diagnosis “. I have hypothyroidism, it’s just that the NHS isn’t yet enlightened enough to recognise that. Take care 🙌🏼
I don't get any pain from it. I think its just poor posture and over exercising in the past. Also not being as strong as I should although I am trying to do yoga on a regular basis. Sorry to hear about what your GP has been putting you through.
I’d also recommended seeing a functional medicine trained endocrinologist. The one I’m seeing doesn’t need a doctor’s referral. He can guide you from a nutritional, functional medicine and medical perspective. It is an investment but you will be in very good hands.
The thyroid meds will be working in your favour now as low fT3 is bad for your bone health.... thyroidpatients.ca/2018/07/...
Great that you have some HRT that is going to help, along with getting your Vit D optimised making sure you supplement with one that also contains K2 MK7, you also need good magnesium levels
I don't do dairy either so have opted for fortifying my tiger nut drink (which I use for hot drinks so little and often) with calcium citrate (calcium is a bit contentious it would seem in bone health but my diet was low in it 🤷♀️) osteoporosis.foundation/edu...
Just wanted to add that I’ve found what I consider to be the most delicious oat milk! It’s gluten free and enriched with calcium. I know that isn’t particularly unusual but, honestly, this ‘milk’ is 👌😋. It’s by Glebe Farm and is their creamy and enriched version. It has 120mg of calcium per 100ml which equates to 15% daily recommended amount. This compares favourably with semi-skimmed milk which, according to a quick internet search gives you 124mg of calcium per 100ml.
I get it from Morrisons and it’s been on offer recently, £1.50.
I'm not really a fan of oat milk, happy to make my porridge with water... the trouble with oats is if they aren't organic they will have been sprayed with some pretty nasty things at harvest time to make them all ready together... same with Rapeseed Oil 😕
I've tried various others and just come back to this, I hunt around and stock up when on offer 😏 I don't think it has any great health claims but is versatile in hot drinks, warmed and spiced is nice too
Holland and Barrett stock it along with Abel & Cole both often have offers
Haha yes I know. Somebody went somewhere in Africa and got us some. I didn’t know what to do with them back then or I would have tried making some tiger nut milk 😋
I am 64, have graves hyperthyroidism (under control) and am osteoporotic. My gynae recommended osteoporosis drugs but my orthopaedic prescribed rocaltrol/vitamin D. I decided to go with the rocaltrol as I was not comfortable with the side effect of the osteo drugs. I believe exercise is a big help in osteoporosis. I will not retest my bone density until I can do some weight bearing exercise. Unfortunately I cannot at the moment because I am so tired all the time. I’m thinking of starting supplementing with some hormones to see if they will help with my fatigue. I’m not too worried about my osteoporosis at the moment. Trying to deal with my fatigue and brain fog so I can function again. Dexa scores are a statistical probability projection of risk at a group level. We can have the same dexa scores and one might get a fracture and one not. Try not to over worry. Get some appropriate weight bearing exercise in. I believe that will help. I know it’s hard not to worry about one’s health but stress wont help our thyroid or our bones so we must try.
Can ask complete random question… have you had coeliac test and other nutritional panels done other than calcium?
I just read IBS on your profile is/was that diagnosed after all tests carried out as this should be thoroughly investigated before diagnosis and other things ruled out … I mention this as with coeliac disease you have higher probability for osteoporosis and my friends mum is struggling with it having gone decades with poor control of her coeliac disease.
I have had a Dexa scan as I’m coeliac but was ok they should do scan every 5 yrs but they just do one of those questionnaire algorithm type of things see if you score to warrant one or another regarding coeliac once ok… but I’m not too up on the levels to comment, as mine was ok I didn’t read much on the subject …but you should be getting advice from your GP and if calcium is a problem and you can’t take this as supplements you should be referred to a dietitian at least… my dietitian was quite clear on me getting enough calcium but we know it’s more than just calcium that’s required for bone health.
Hrt (oestrogen & progesterone only) can help but not sure if it repairs to a greater extent I have no experience with testosterone but if GP is reluctant to prescribe as it’s not down for us women to take we can only be prescribed the “mens” drug (hopefully this gets changed) a specialist /consultant can prescribe and whoever is looking after you now with this ask about it… load bearing exercise and getting correct supplements I would expect are required too.
Hi. I’m so sorry to hear you’re going through this. I was diagnosed with osteopenia/bordering on osteoporosis aged 42 and was devastated. I’ve now been taking HRT for 3 years (I’m 50 on Friday), not testosterone. I supplement with calcium made from seaweed because mine is low, so try and increase it in your diet if you can but it’s important to take vitamin D, K2 and magnesium as well. I also take Ancient and Brave collagen because studies have shown improvement in bone density with it. I’m about to look in to Creatinine because I’ve heard some research in to that has found the same. Also Boron. But most important is weight bearing exercise if you’re able, and resistance training. I do low weights but also body weight. Do a bit of research about what’s safe to do movement wise. Wishing you all the luck and keeping my fingers crossed your next scan improves.
Oftentimes women do not consume enough quality protein in their diets and this, over time will result in osteoporosis. Even teens on a low protein diet will have osteomalacia and osteoporosis.
Then, of course, as others have mentioned, hormones are important as are vitamins. But without enough protein there isn't enough bone.
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