Perimenopause and TD

[blu]

How has perimenopause affected your dosage of thyroxine treatment? If at all?

[Auriel]

I wish I could help Blu. I didn't find out I had Hashi's until after I had a hysterectomy. I started perimenopause at age 32 though... I wonder if having the untreated Hashi's caused me to go through it at a younger age?

I hope you find some answes soon.

Hugs

Martha

[GayE]

I went through it while my Graves' was activating so it was 'all over Rover' before I knew it. So... no personal information.

I've heard that fluctuations in estrogen can really muck up replacement stability. I suspect that's one reason to use HRT to help manage it.

Hope someone has some interesting anecdotes for you.

{{hugs}}

Gay

[blu]

I am finding that my blood pressure and heart rate is cRaZy as ever these days. Makes it difficult to know if I am hyper, if its just blood pressure issues, or the perimenopause. My dr says it's the fluctuation of hormones. I can't seem to get stabilized since my illness last year.

[Auriel]

I hope you find some answers soon Blu, I know that has to be very frustrating for you.

Hugs

Martha

[blu]

When I got sick last year that is when this all this stuff started. I have a feeling my thyroxine dosage will be dropping yet again next work up. Hard to believe I used to be close to 200 mcg's and now down to 150.

[Leelee]

Hope you get this figured out..

[yabiz1]

Actually, I have measurable monthly fluctuations in heart rate/blood pressure that follow my cycle--specifically, everything rises as I near the start of it.

While my dosage hasn't changed and my levels are good, I do also have changes in my energy levels that follow my cycle.

My ob keeps telling me that these and the other shifts (irregularity, more PMS symptoms, etc) are part of the process, *lovely*

[blu]

Yabiz, lovely IS the word. I had hoped this "time" in my life would be easier. It's only the beginning and I haven't even started with the hot flashes yet. Good gawds...what am I in for?

[yabiz1]

well, let's say I have gotten very good at communicating my needs to the man of the house, because on some days, well, the claws are just out

I have always been one to throw my hands up in the air as the roller coaster goes screaming around the bend, so that applies here, I guess, because there aren't too many other choices, lol

I live with 2 adolescent females, so I am working on the "man room" for the dh in the basement right now, because there is NO safe place for him hide

[melsie]

How has perimenopause affected your dosage of thyroxine treatment? If at all?

Not sure, because I only found out I was officially peri (due to FSH) a year after starting thyroid meds...but I do know the two seem to have coincided (my DX of Hashi's, and my FSH going up).

[GayE]

You all might find this connection interesting

http://www.obgyn.net/menopause/menopaus ... _FSH_level

a snippet for you
"...Conclusion:
Even though finding FSH level over 30 IU/L is a diagnostic criteria for postmenopausal period, stimulating effect of TSH on ovaries may induce follicle growth, estrogen synthesis and may restart menstrual cycle with decreasing FSH level to normal. So is follicle stimulating hormone level diagnostic criteria for diagnosis of the menopause?..."

Not sure about all of them but the TSH numbers are interesting
Ref Range .4-4
"...Mid-range normal in most labs is about 1.7...."
First time I've seen that statement - not sure whether test kit companies, labs or endos agree with it :shock:

http://www.fertilityplus.org/faq/hormonelevels.html

{{hugs}}

Gay

[blu]

Well, that's something to investigate. Since my original post my dosage of thyroxine treatment was lowered (again) and my levels looked good. But my last labs just a few weeks ago show my FT4 was high again.

Just goes to show that it's so very important to get labs done every 2-3 months. Even after 9 yrs. Things continue to change and perhaps even more during peri m.

I will add it isn't a smooth transition lowering my dosage either. I get big increases of edema.

[RKdxd]

Interestingly there is a new article out on H1N1 virus and thyroid storm. When I got sick last year that is when this all this stuff started. I have a feeling my thyroxine dosage will be dropping yet again next work up. Hard to believe I used to be close to 200 mcg's and now down to 150.

Just goes to show if you have Hashi's even 10 years down the road you still need to actively get blood labs. Because things change.

Where would I find that info on H1N1 virus and thyroid storm?

After I received my flu vaccines this year I got thyroiditis. Coincidence? I think not.

I was past 200 mcg and then had drug induced thyrotoxicosis. It appears I'm inching my way toward that 200 mcg mark again. I'm now at 158 - 162 mcg due to the thyroiditis.

During perimenopause, my untreated thyroid disease worsened. My doctor, at the time, tried various medications to stop my symptoms, none were thyroid meds. None which worked. I started perimenopause at age 37. When I first saw the doctor, she was alarmed at my low heart rate and blood pressure, 42 and 90/54. I don't believe she tested my thyroid function.

[GayE]

Here's the link RK - further evidence of how pervasive thyroid hormones and their control/distribution is

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20582177

{{hugs}}

Gay