Thyroid levels and high estrogen

[kilowhiskey]

My labs were as follows:

TSH <.005 (.4-4.0)
Free T3 15.2 (2.3-4.2)
Free t4 3.2 (.8-1.8)

Estrogen:

12/10/14 348
2/18/16 1311
2/26/16 528

I was taking bioidentical testosterone/progesterone/dhea and stopped taking them 12/1/15 because I'd felt that something wasn't right.

I know that high estrogen will cause hypothyroid.

I am taking 180 mg of armour thyroid (120 in am, 60 pm) since July 2015. Prior to that, 120 daily (60 am, 60 pm).

I had an a ultrasound on uterus and ovaries yesterday to screen for estrogen producing tumors.

I'd appreciate your thoughts on the thyroid. Thank you!

[gimel]

I can understand the logic of that.  T3 reaches peak effect in about 3-4 hours and then diminishes over the same time.  The doctor is trying to get test results that are not affected by the med.  It is much easier to just defer the morning dose of med until after the  blood draw.  I doubt results will be much difference between the methods.  

Plus the main thing is to treat clinically by testing and adjusting Free T4 and Free T3 as needed to relieve symptoms.  Symptom relief should be the prime objective, not test results.  Everyone has different levels of thyroid hormone at which they feel best.  

[kilowhiskey]

My integrative medicine doc believes my thyroid should be tested exactly 6 hours after my morning armour dosage. Thoughts?

[kilowhiskey]

Thanks you!

[gimel]

Those symptoms are typical of hypothyroidism.  Fibromyalgia and cfs have been identified as related to hypothyroidism also.  In view of the lack of confidence in your last test results, I suggest that you should try to get tested again, and defer your thyroid med until after the test.  I suggest that you should test for Free T4, Free T3, Reverse T3, morning serum cortisol, B12 and ferritin.  

Those results should provide a better picture of your status.  With that info we can help interpret and advise further.  

[kilowhiskey]

I have fatigue, cold hands and feet, constipation, hair loss, dry skin, extreme irritability, weight gain

[kilowhiskey]

Thank you.

My integrative medicine doc who prescribed the thyroid medication and treats my chronic fatigue syndrome and fibromyalgia insists testing take place 6 hours after dosage. My pop and gyno were ordering this round of tests.

I take b-12 injections twice a week and my vitamin d level is 100 as I supplement.


Because I have fibro and cfs, it is impossible to differentiate my symptoms with my thyroid issues.

[gimel]

Just my two cents' worth.  Since you took 120 mg of Armour 2-3 hours before the blood draw, I don't think you can have any confidence in the FT3 and FT4 test results.  This also ties in with you reporting hypo symptoms, rather than hyper.  Please do tell us about the specific symptoms.

Excess estrogen can affect levels of Free thyroid hormones, if the ratio of progesterone to estrogen is too low.  That results in excess TBG which ties up more of the Total T4 and T3 and reduces Free T4 and Free T3.  Since you don't have reliable test results, you can't be sure whether this is an issue or not.

Hypo patients are frequently too low in the ranges for Vitamin d, B12 and ferritin.  Low levels of D and ferritin cause symptoms and also can affect metabolism of thyroid hormone.  D should be about 55-60, B12 in the upper end of its range, and ferritin should be about 70 minimum.  If not tested, you should do so, and then supplement as needed to optimize.

[kilowhiskey]

So, we increases dosage of armour in July from 120 to 180 because I was feeling symptomatic.

I had been gluten free because of the Hashimoto's until last September.

Do you think this is an over medication issue or could the gluten have whacked everything out (not referring to the estrogen).

Of course the high estrogen affects the thyroid too.

[kilowhiskey]

Ultrasound results appear Norma with no estrogen producing tumors.

[kilowhiskey]

The reference range from estrogen is 130-460 but the doc said because of my age it should be closer to 70. I don't necessarily agree with this assessment.

My testosterone is low as is my progesterone.


My symptoms are hypo not hyper but I have Hashimoto's so I suppose it could swing either way.

Last thyroid labs were 2/26 and I had taken 120 mg armour thyroid 2-3 hours prior

[Barb135]

I agree with flyingfool... your thyroid labs are anything but hypo.

What were the reference ranges for the estrogen levels?

What was the date of the thyroid labs?  

I'd ask the same other questions flyingfool asked.

[flyingfool]

What symptoms are you having?

I would suspect by your lab results that you are quite Hyper!  As both your FT4 and FT3 are OVER the top of thr ange for both.  BOTH of them being SIGNIFICANTLY over.  

did you take your Armour prior to the blood test?

What little I know is that too much Testosterone and it will be converted into estrogen.  At least in men.  I'm not sure if the same is true with females.

You have got a "Whole lot of hormones going on".  

Hormones are very sensitive and can interact between hormones.  So you are changing a LOT of things simeltaneously.

What was the process of getting you to the point were you were?