Thyroid test while on HRT

[LawsTra]

Hi all,Should I be having a thyroid test since being put on hrt?

Was doing well originally on hrt gel when i started it in apr/may. not sure if it's my thyroid or menopause causing the increasing fatigue and hair loss over the last few months.

Any advice or suggestions appreciated.

Ps don't know thyroid levels.

[Regenallotment]

definitely test and see what that shows you. It does sound like you could be under replaced for thyroid hormones doesn’t it, if you go via GP explain you remain symptomatic of hypothyroidism.

If going private (as likely GP won’t test FT3 & FT4) I’d either do a Monitor My Health (an NHS lab) or a Medichecks finger prick.

As a side note, my hair stopped falling out after a few months of supplementing Vit D, B Complex extra folate, and raising ferritin. It could also be vits or a combination of factors . Both those private blood test sites can test vits too. 🌱

[Buddy195 Administrator]

Many members report needing slightly more thyroid medication when taking HRT. I actually needed less, so it’s definitely worth testing thyroid levels 6-8 weeks after you commenced HRT.

[gabkad in reply to Buddy195]

I needed more. HRT causes more binding of thyroxine in the blood and lowers frees. But doctors mostly only order TSH which is incorrect when someone is taking thyroid hormone.

[ERIC107]

Hi LawsTra - you've just exactly described my situation!

I went onto HRT for very similar symptoms: severe fatigue, hair loss, plus brain fog, joint pain, dry skin, weight gain... and typical menopause night sweats, unable to sleep but exhausted, terrible mood swings.

The HRT helped with mood swings, night sweats, and being able to actually go to sleep... but I absolutely couldn't shift the other problems. A broad, "scatter gun" blood test unearthed autoimmune thyroiditis... plus some borderline vitamin and mineral deficiencies (D, B12, Fe).

Bottom line - I'd definitely recommend a wide-ranging blood screening that includes thyroid testing.