Hashimoto Thyroiditis

[MCrisci]

Hi,

I just recently got diagnosed with Hashimoto thyroiditis. I was presently on Synthroid 0.05 mgs and still had high levels therefore they uped my dosage to 0.075 mgs.  I was on birth control pills and stopped in the month of January. I have yet to have a period. I was wondering if this was related to my problem of Hashimoto Thyroiditis. Is there a correlation or not? Please advise as I'm going crazy...it's been 9 months and no I'm not pregnant.

Desperately needing an answer....

[brbangle]

I am so glad to hear these comments and I would love to get some advice from you all... I am having the same issues—amenorrhea, acne, bloating, hirsutism—and I am certain it is related to Hashimoto's hypothyroidism. I have been treated for Hashi's for a few years now; I have PCOS, as well, for which I take metformin. When I first started taking metformin, it did a wonderful job of regulating my periods and clearing up my acne, even when I got off of birth control pills! This past May, however, right around the time my TPO Antibody levels spiked and I started experiencing symptoms of an overactive thyroid, the metformin seemingly stopped working! Suddenly, I have acne again, horrible mood swings and I haven't had a period for months now! I am on 88mcg Synthroid; my TSH, FT3 and FT4 are all within normal range. What now? Thank you!

[Kolinka]

It does help to know you're not alone and what's happening to you is not acceptable.  At age 26 I had not had a period since age 18.  Doctors had been giving me conflicting advice.  One doc said I had high blood pressure, but was more concerned about the periods and put me on birth control. Another doc said not to worry about periods unless I was trying to get pregnant and put me on blood pressure meds and stopped the birth control.

One thing to mention is that I had symptoms other than lack of periods which were not really taken into consideration or addressed during these years by any doctor.  Extreme mood swings, anxiety, hair loss, unexplained weight gain, fatigue, depression...the list goes on.

At 26, I started a new OB/GYN who was very concerned about all of the issues.  He did an ultrasound and multiple blood tests.  In the end he kept the blood pressure meds and added Nuvaring as birth control for the periods.  He also referred me to an endocrinologist because the birth control did not address the cause of the problem or all the other symptoms.  He was concerned about the possibility of a pituitary tumor or thyroid problem.

It turned out that I have Hashimoto's and the thyroid issues are probably the root of most of my problems.  Even now if I stop the birth control I still have a period.  Immediately after starting the birth control and thyroid meds I felt like a totally new person.  So I highly recommend a good endocrinologist to anyone who has menstrual irregularity which has not been effectively treated by an OB/GYN.

I stress the "good" in good endocrinologist.  I have seen 2 different endocrinologists due to a change in insurance and the tests they run and value they put on certain numbers and medications varies greatly.  Be sure to follow up all of the tests the doctors run with your own research on what your numbers mean.

[assured]

Actually, I'm 44 yo and have always been very regular.  I have 5 children, the last one being premature (33 weeks) followed by two miscarriages.  I was 38 yo at the time.  I have not had a period in the 5 1/2 years since the second miscarriage, so I have secondary amenorrhea.  The doctor originally thought that my hormones just needed to adjust after the miscarriages.  My levels have never indicated that I am in menopause, so I don't know why I don't have periods any more.  I was hoping it would all wind up being related to the thyroid and would get resolved by meds.  I had pit MRI and CT scans 3 years ago.

I just became a grandmother two weeks ago.  I don't think I could handle any more babies of my own.

I truly wish you the very best in getting treatment and being able to conceive.

Cindy

[catknit]

Yes, it's comforting for me too - stops me from feeling such an oddball!  I take it you are trying to get pregnant?  I took clomid, it made me ovulate but not conceive.  The Dr then gave me progesterone which caused me to have a period (but only that 1, I have had no others). This was before my thyroid was investigated.  Dr kept telling me I just needed to eat more to have a period!!   My new Dr (ob/gyn) thinks the Hashi's and the periods are connected.  Have to have a thyroid sono and pituitary MRI, have not been proscribed any drugs yet.  Have been recommended a v good fertility specialist  who I plan to see in a couple of months when I have more facts.
keep me posted on your treatment...  
Best again!

[assured]

I know this will sound weird, but it's comforting to hear someone else has this going on.  My endo insists that the lack of a period is not due to the thyroid.  He says that I should try clomid to reset my hypothalmus/pituitary (I can't remember now which one he said).  I don't really want to be on clomid, because I really don't like taking meds.  Endo says I need to see an ob/gyn, but I can't seem to find a good one.

I've been on Synthroid for 4 weeks now, and I can't say I feel any better yet.  I'm still hopeful.

My anti-thyroglobulin antibodies tested positive, but the TPO was negative.  Endo says that it might not be Hashi's or it could be that it just isn't active right now.  Either way the treatment is the same.

Best wishes to you as well,

Cindy

[catknit]

I have just had a preliminary diagnosis of Hashimoto's.  I also have not had a period for 5 years.  Would love to hear how you get on with the medication.  Hope this is going to work for you!  I too have been struggling to get a diagnosis for years and am desperate to get some answers!!
Wishing you the very best!!

[assured]

I have recently been diagnosed with Hashi's and I haven't had a period in 5 years!  I am really, really hoping that being on thyroid meds is going to make things get back to normal.  I've been trying to get to the bottom of it for all these years and none if the doctors have been very helpful.

Good luck to you!

Cindy

[helpthyroid]

I've read that birth control pill could cause a drop in your thyroid level.
When I started taking it, my anxiety attack started and I was so tired.

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

If your thyroid levels are normal, the lack of menstrual periods are unlikely related to thyroid problems.

Would talk to your GYN about other reasons for no menses.....check prolactin, HCG, FSH, Estradiol -- among other things the GYN may do.