I was diagnosed several years ago with Hashimotos. Like many, it took a very long time to get my thyroxine levels ok for me and I needed to resort to T3 as well as T4 in order to feel and be well. I help myself by being dairy, gluten and alcohol free and eating a nutrient dense diet. I exercise most days.
Some weeks ago I went for a routine smear test. I am post menopausal. The gynaecologist discovered a growth on an ovary, a large uterine fibroid and uterine hyperplasia that is a thickening of the womb which can be linked to cancer. I was shocked, did some research and discovered it can be associated with my underactive Hashimotos thyroid issues. Has anyone else experience of this situation? Thank you.
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Baobabs
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I had all three of those problems and recently had a total hysterectomy. They are all common issues and personally it’s doesn’t matter to me what the cause was I just wanted it all gone.
Good luck with whatever treatment you are going for.
Thank you. My gynaecologist doesn’t accept or know about the connection, surprise, surprise. She does not recommend a hysterectomy, and refuses hormone testing but prefers to adopt a watch and wait protocol. I understand your resolve as I don’t really wish to sit on a potential powder keg.
I had a gyno operation (before I was diagnosed with hypothyroid.) The first doctor I saw was ready to give me a hysterectomy - I was 45 and engaged and didn't want to lose my last chance for kids. I went to another doctor, who did surgery, removed the fibroid and some endometriosis and nothing else. There can be hormonal issues from a hysterectomy (not to mention removing parts and things shifting around as a result, for example, I went in for a colonoscopy a few years later and as I was ready to go in for it (in the little dressing gown!), the doctor asked if I'd ever had surgery in those parts. He said I should be having the colonoscopy under anaesthesia as there might have been changes in my colon 'layout', as I had had a 'gyno op'. No one had said that beforehand or asked. It was planned to take place without putting me under. We went ahead and did it, it was ok though next time for comfort, I'd take anaesthesis.) I don't know anything about the hyperplasia but would definitely recommend doing the research and talking to at least two or three doctors about surgery. Most prefer to do hysterectomies because they are much easier to do and probably less costly as a result. A good doctor will look at the options - he/she may not know 100% what to do until you are opened up, but if possible, will take the less extreme option. All the best.
Does it really matter if there’s a connection, you can’t undo what’s already happened.
Why is hysterectomy not advised for you ? with the risk of the hyperplasia being cancer it’s a no brainer, my Gynae was reluctant for several years to do a hysterectomy but once the hyperplasia was found 6 months ago I was in theatre within 2 weeks !
Yes I feel 100% better especially knowing all the problems bits are gone. If I were you I wouldn’t be at all happy with watch and wait approach, maybe time to find yourself a Gynae who takes it seriously.
Yes, I think you are right. She asked me why I had waited so long to visit. It took seven months for the first appointment. She did uterus biopsies and tumour marker tests and my results will be told to me in three weeks time. Three and a half months post tests! Unbelievable.
I had fibroids and the flooding that went with them ! At the time I read 'Womens Bodies, Womens Wisdom' by Christiane Northrup and decided all would be fine and to hang onto my uterus ! Menopause at 53 and Hashi's diagnosed at 59 - soon to be 78 - sigh !
Do hope you receive the support you deserve and that all will go well for you.... 🌹
Your timeline is a blue print of mine! Yes, I know of Christiane Northrup. She also does not believe in having mammograms. I’m hoping that because I will have waited three and a half months for my results that nothing is untoward. Thank you for your good wishes!
hi I also have hypothyroidism and just found a thickening of the womb 6mm so waiting for a hysteroscopy, Iv had uterine problems in the past too had a few d&c’s over the years too
Yes. In May 2023, before my thyroid symptoms occured I had irregular bleeding (trouble finding the right hrt dose). Went for a scan to find my womb thickness was above range. The GP wanted me to get a biopsy done and I panicked. Did research and found this happens with Hashimoto's and you can sometimes be lower in progesterone.
My GP was able to be talked into doubling my dose and three months later the scan was repeated and my thickening dropped so much the consultant doing the scan was shocked and questioned me on how it could have changed so much.
I have been on double progesterone since and fine (minus a two month period where a GP not mine took it away, but it's on my record to keep it since).
Yes as I have to in order to function. This is a replacement for what is not being produced in my thyroid. Completely different from synthetic estrogen or progesterone that can disrupt hormones significantly and have been implicated in the development of some cancers.
I use them all so I can function. Prednisone so I can walk. Estrogen and progesterone so my uterine lining doesn't get hypertrophied and for mood stabilization. (that's why doctors in error prescribe anti-depressants....but hormones work better) and testosterone because after menopause it gets low.
People wear scents. They are all synthetic. The molecules are exactly the same as natural. I did a lot of reading about the chemistry of the perfume industry.
Same with the hormones. They are bio-identical. The cancer risk is overblown by the media because 'they are the news, they make the news'. The misinformation the so called journalists come up with is a travesty. Like the most recent egregious one about how nobody needs to take vitamins and people who do, don't live as long as people who don't. Wow. Based on what I read on this forum, there are many people who need to supplement. And get their blood levels optimal. It's the same with hormones. Optimal is better.
I have to disagree, from everything have read, natural hormones are safer than synthetic ones. As I have said, everyone is entitled to their opinion. You do what you believe is best for you.
it’s difficult not to worry but do try! I am post menopausal and have a thicker womb than the norm but my understanding is that some women do . I had a hysteroscopy after a scan and it turned out I had a polyp which was removed and lots of fibroids which are still there , and I don’t understand why they haven’t shrivelled up yet! No one has suggested a link but I was only diagnosed with Hashi’s at the end of December. I would also be interested to see the article please. I am having an abdominal mri for a separate issue so assume if any womb problems it would show but I’m not expecting any. Take care
I have a post-menopausal relative who noticed she was having a vaginal bleed and she went straight to her GP.
In very quick succession she had a biopsy which showed she had cancer and then very soon after she was in hospital having a hysterectomy. From the day she first noticed the vaginal bleed to the day she left hospital after the hysterectomy was about five weeks. Because the cancer was all contained within her uterus she didn't need any further treatment at all. She hasn't had any problems since then.
I should point out that she was an extremely healthy woman before any of this happened which obviously helped her speedy recovery.
P.S. I wouldn't want to "wait and see" if I was in the same circumstances.
Hi, Baobabs! Yes: was dx with graves disease in 2002 (which it wasn't) then h ypothyroidism in 2003 (which it was) then all corrected to Hashimoto's in 2019, which it evidently had been all along. Successful on T3 only therapy now for a good while.
In 2004 and 2005 was having horrible bleeding/flooding, pain, swelling; fibroids were diagnosed. I was happy to have a hysterectomy in 2006 and despite some surgical complications due to an inattentive surgeon, all ended well, and I have been so happy ever since.
I'm also on a bioidentical, compounded, natural HRT mix of progesterone-estradiol dissolving tablets plus a low-dose testosterone gel, and this has has many salubrious results: improvement in my dexa scan (went from -1.75 and -1.5 osteopenia measures, to now all measures inside the normal range, in 2.5 years), improvement in my mental alertness, my physical stamina, and my libido and mood. Not to mention minor things like skin and hair improvements, easier weight control. But---YMMV, as they say, for my best friend in the world also had a hysterectomy and did not choose HRT, and she is also happy and healthy. Each person is different.
Some more-recent research than the WHO study has found that the right HRT is indeed safe. But it's a trick to get that "right"! Here's a link;
Again, it's complicated, and each person will have different pros and cons, given their individual health and needs. But this was a major green light for good outcomes. I hope this is useful! Good luck to you, and I further hope that you are seen quickly by a good expert.
Thank you for your interest in my post and your reply. I am pleased that you have experienced good results from your type of HRT. I’m not sure what you mean by it being ‘natural’. I’m sure my gynaecological difficulties must be due to a hormone imbalance and I will try to persuade my specialist to do some testing of levels, although I know this will be a rough ride. I just won’t go down the route of HRT. Perhaps I may try wild yam progesterone cream and caster oil packs on the abdomen. Recently I have been watching videos of Barbara O’Neil and this is her recommendation. It may sound a bit ‘village healing womanish’ but she is amazing and uses natural products to assist the bodies own healing. Since being treated so inappropriately by the health service for my Hashimotos, my faith in allopathy is at an all time low.
By the way, my username was born out of our tough and challenging overgrown grounds around our house on Mallorca Island. The Baobab tree is a very strong plant, native to Madagascar!
Yes, I love the baobab trees there, and also the ones in Le Petit Prince!
Yes, as I said, to each her own; just sharing what worked for me (and also explaining that my dear friend did the opposite and is also well). By "natural" I meant plant-based, bioidentical hormones made at a special compounding pharmacy here in the US; there are no shortcuts, alas, and I'm afraid they are expensive. Again, others have success in other ways. Just responded to your post hoping to be one among many possibilities that might be of use, to you or to others. All best wishes to you.
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