Feeling flat

[Fizzwhizz]

Hi everyone, just feeling so flat and low. Like a functioning shell, if that makes sense? I’m menopausal too (post) so probably isn’t helping. Only diagnosed with Hashimotos recently but have been struggling with symptoms for years. I assumed it was the menopause so took HRT but as my poor thyroid couldn’t cope with the oestrogen I gradually felt worse and worse on that. Pre starting armour thyroid I was having a hypo swing and felt great, if a little wired. Now I feel so flat, unmotivated and sluggish. I can’t take b vits as they were causing a pain under my right rib. Had NHS ultrasound and x ray and blood and nothing’s come up. Have a phone appointment with NHS endo next week but not expecting help there are my current thyroid treatment is private as my bloods are all in range. I haven’t told the NHS endo I went privately yet. I’m guessing I just have to ride out this rubbish phase of getting the meds right. I can’t get an appointment with private GP until July so even if I test my levels now I’ll be self medicating if I alter my dose. It’s so ironic I felt better when my poor thyroid was dying. My antibodies are very high and my TSH had actually gone down slightly from previous results as it was probably giving up calling for anymore thyroid hormones to be released. Thanks for letting me moan.

[Buddy195 Administrator]

As SlowDragon suggested in your last post, do test and share results for key thyroid vitamins in addition to thyroid levels.

I have to adjust medication (both thyroid and HRT) super slowly, as this can give me adverse physical and mental health symptoms. It is highly likely that stopping HRT rather than slowly tapering off has exacerbated your symptoms. Try to think ‘tortoise’ instead of ‘hare’ when making adjustments..this has really helped me!

[Fizzwhizz in reply to Buddy195]

Thanks, I didn’t post my last bloods as they weren’t much different apart from TSH gone down slightly. The next bloods will be after starting armour so they should register a change but I still feel rubbish. I felt better without starting the meds but I know it’s a false picture. As for vitamins I’m not sure what to do. I can’t seem to tolerate b vits so only taking vitd and k2 currently. Yes, stopping HRT was drastic but I was spotting so felt scared and didn’t have much choice. That was presumably because my system couldn’t cope with oestrogen and in spite of the progesterone I was taking. Yes, I need to try take it slowly and be patient to optimise my thyroid before anything else.

[Buddy195 Administrator in reply to Fizzwhizz]

Regarding stopping HRT, it may be useful to have a look at Dr Louise Newson’s free Balance App, as I find it really useful for comparing medications & having up to date research articles. There is also an ability to post questions.

As far as I’m aware, spotting can still occur when taking HRT.

healthunlocked.com/redirect...

[Fizzwhizz in reply to Buddy195]

Thanks Buddy, yes HRT regime/changes can cause spotting. The advice I was given was to stop using and recommence once it stopped and if it didn’t a scan after 6 weeks. Fortunately it stopped and I didn’t fancy going back on the HRT as it just wasn’t helping. After speaking to a thyroid specialist GP she advised the body can’t clear oestrogen if the thyroid’s in the blink and so it builds up in the system. I had lots of symptoms of oestrogen dominance, the spotting was the final straw. I guess I have to suck it up and sort my thyroid out before anything else. It’s just a slow journey when you feel low. I have zero enthusiasm and motivation for stuff currently.