Levothyroxine : Hi,I am on the levothyroxine of... - Thyroid UK

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Levothyroxine

Taaanu profile image
7 Replies

Hi,I am on the levothyroxine of the past 2 month and I have missed my periods this time by 3 days. I am not sure if it's the levothyroxine is causing this. My period used to be so regular before taking this medication.

Any one had the same experience? What should I do at this moment

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Taaanu profile image
Taaanu
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SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

very common when first starting on Levo, the endocrine system is all interconnected

It should settle over time

How much levothyroxine have you been started on

What were thyroid and vitamin results BEFORE starting

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

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

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once to see if your hypothyroidism is autoimmune

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

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high TPO and/or high TG 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.

Significant minority of Hashimoto’s patients only have high TG antibodies (thyroglobulin)

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease

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, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

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

Taaanu profile image
Taaanu in reply toSlowDragon

Thankyou for the prompt response, I am 50mcg but I am also under all necessary vitamins

I am feel bad because everything was fine for me before starting the medicine, just did a routine blood check as I have a family history. After taking the medication it is causing all these symptoms.

Can I stop this medicine? As I feel I need to adopt natural way of treating it.

Please guide is it's ok to stop as I started it only 1 month ago

HealthStarDust profile image
HealthStarDust

Levothyroxine often causes upset to periods. But, it is always wise to check these things out.

radd profile image
radd

Taaanu,

Welcome to our forum,

It is not the Levothyroxine per se that is causing your cycle-upset, but thyroid hormones that influence sex hormones. If you have been deficient for some years then there is a lot of rebalancing to be accomplished.

There are many reasons including thyroid hormone effecting the actual production and clearance of sex hormones but a common occurrence is for SHBG (sex hormone binding globulin) to increase after a sudden introduction of thyroid hormone or taking levels too high.

SHBG carries oestrogen, testosterone and to a lesser degree progesterone and an increase will bind more, leaving less available. Things should balance out eventually 🤞.

Taaanu profile image
Taaanu in reply toradd

Thankyou for the reply, can I stop this 50mcg levothyroxine?? I feel I was all fine before this medication. Everything changed because if this medicine.

Will stopping this medicine help my periods to be back to normal, I am really worried

BlueKeith profile image
BlueKeith in reply toTaaanu

Don't stop the medication. I felt terrible when I first started levothyroxine. It's takes quite a long time to adjust. I'm on 125 now and feel very well at the moment. Each increase make you feel different

RedApple profile image
RedAppleAdministrator

Taaanu, 'Can I stop this medicine? As I feel I need to adopt natural way of treating it.'

What country are you in?

It's important to understand that this is a 'patient to patient' forum. No-one here is medically qualified. You defintely should not stop taking levothyroxine without consulting your doctor.

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