POTS + depression + hypothyroid + early menopause?

Hi,
Wondering if anyone else might be experiencing menopause or the start of menopause and have POTS?
Here's my situation.  I have, and take medicine for:
- POTS (taking fludrocortisone & metoprolol)
- hypothyroid / Hasimoto's (taking synthroid)
- depression (taking Effexor XR)
- typically heavy periods (taking Microgestin, a birth control pill, for it)

I am 34 years old.  In the past 5 months, I have missed 4 periods.  Had one extremely, terribly heavy one.  Been having extreme fatigue yet sleeplessness, night sweats, and an overall weak feeling (I have been a runner for years and can barely do it anymore).  Basically, my body feels wiped out, I'm not overly sleepy tired, just feel completed depleted.  I am also mostly vegetarian (do eat fish) but have been so for about 17 years and haven't changed my diet. Basically, the last 5 months I feel like I've been living in a fog, with a body that feels like it's shutting down.

So. Two of my doctors (OB/GYN and psychiatrist) mentioned early menopause.  Which freaked me out.  (I'm 34! Gray hair - fine.  Needing biofocals soon - fine.  Menopause - no no no!!!)  My thyroid levels were checked, TSH was high so synthroid was increased 6 weeks ago (felt better for about 2 weeks then right back). Ultrasound is scheduled for May. Pregnancy tests taken, twice - nada.

I guess I'm just looking for a friendly voice if anything.  Other than my husband, not many people understand how hard POTS is.  And having POTS with depression with hypothyroidism with screwy periods - leaves me with four specialists with four different medical databases all scratching their heads going, "huh".  

Anyone out there dealing with similar stuff?  Meaning this combo of illnesses and/or POTS with menopause?
Hugs to you all.
xo

[selmaS]

HI...I also have Hashimoto's and went thru early onset menopause. I have a related condition to POTS- chiari malformation, EDS and tethered cord.....I have not been dx'd with POTS but many chiarians have been.

From what I understand it is common to go from hypo to hyper with hashimoto's and the levels change randomly so we do need to keep a close eye on the free T3 and free T4 and TPO antibodies and of course TSH.

I pray u get answers that r helpful.

"selma"

[LivingInHope]

I am in surgical menopause and have POTS.  Also have been battling iron depletion recently, which was making my energy level decrease and my tachycardia increase.  I had irregular periods most of the time I was menstruating.  It may have been due to a combo of a pituitary tumor that was not discovered until after my hysterectomy and endometriosis.  I know thyroid imbalance can interfere with your period.  But you may want to get FSH, prolactin, LH & other testing to see if something else might be happening as well (ask the gyn about the correct day to get testing for FSH for instance)  Have you had a pelvic ultrasound?

[Iheart13point1]

Thanks ladies.

Surgi, thank you for the info on the testing. I will be taking a printout of this with me to my appt.  I'm not sure what type of ultrasound they've scheduled for me.  I am just hopeful that it will give me some answers.  I know I will be meeting with the doctor immediately after the exam.

Selma, thank you too, I was not aware of the likely-hood to cross over to hyperthyroidism - even though I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism almost 20 years ago, it wasn't until recently I learned it's actually Hashimoto's, so I still have a lot to learn.

Thanks again to both for lending a kind ear and good advice!
xo.

[True2Him]

Hello, I am 32 years old, have POTS and I am going thru early menopause due to 7 years of "female" related surgeries. I wasn't diagnosed with POTS until August of this year. The final surgery that completed my hysterectomy was performed in August of 2009. I like you, feel like my body is shutting down. I'm not sleepy, can't lay down and go to sleep but I cannot lay down and go to sleep. I have night sweats, extreme thirst, and no matter how long I rest, I never feel quite like I have "caught up" on my rest. I decided to write because I often wonder if all my "monthly visits" brought on POTS before my hysterectomy. They were terrible!!! Very heavy bleeding, sometimes normal, mostly not. I had my hormone levels checked, thyroid checked, iron levels...the whole nine yards. I am taking meds but still no improvement. I am trying to get in a study that Vanderbilt is doing..still waiting. Just thought I would share with someone who might feel my pain. Take care, and keep your head up!!

[Heiferly]

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Looking forward to talking with you further,
Heiferly.