menopause symptom or not??

[cindybee]

I've recently been diagnosed with the start of menopause.  My symptoms have including fatigue, tingling, irregular heart beat, some weakness.  Another symptom is daily short/quick snaps of dizziness/lightheadedness.  Is this actually a symptom of menopause or should I see a specialist?  I did have my inner ear checked and it was normal.  I also had my thyroid checked (4 times) and it was normal all times, except 2 were normal with slightly high TSH level; 5.41 and 5.39.

[65Shirley]

Not really a comment but I went for a blood test to check on thyroid and menopausal symptoms and translated the results from French

TSH 1,3 mU/L
ESTRADIOL 1.382 pmol/L
follicular Phase 46 A 607
Peak ovulatoire 315 A 1 828
Phase luteale 161 A 774
Post-menopause < 18 A 201
FSH 12 U/L
follicular Phase 7 A 13
Peak ovulatoire 12 A 22
Phase luteale 4 A 8
Post-menopause 67 A 135
LH 15 U/L
follicular Phase 2 A 13
Peak ovulatoire 14 A 96
Phase luteale 1 A 11
Post-menopause 8 A 59

What do these mean?

[Jane1]

Hi Cindy

Your symptoms seem so similiar to mine it is scary! I have posted in the Neuro Forum here because of those shocky sensations in my head and the sometimes tinglings and numbness.  I also get really dizzy like vertigo.  I have been diagnosed with Sarcoidosis in the past and my fear was neuro sarc and although like you I have had my thyroid checked and my hormone levels all of which were normal, at 38 it seems like it could be the menopause, or perimenopause.  I just wish a doctor would say for sure, because I am sick of the constant MRI's, CT's and blood tests.  If this was an early menopause I would just try my best to weather the storm, the fear of something more sinister well that just makes me full of anxiety!

All the best
Jane

[Suett]

I am sorry to tell you but you are MAJOR hypothyroid . .  get to a good doc to run a Free T4 and Free T3 so you can figure your correct meds
Not doubt hypo especially with those symptoms. My TSH was only 2.6 and I had lots of symptoms like you that went away after being put on thyroid meds.Good luck!
Sue T

[Machelle Seibel, MD]

Dizziness/lightheadedness can be symptoms of menopause. But they can also be signs of other problems. It is good you had your inner ear checked. Other examples include a heart problem, low blood sugar, low blood pressure or even reduced blood to the head. There is a good chance that your symptoms are just a nuisance associated with menopause. But just to be sure, it is a good idea to discuss them with your PCP to decide if additional evaluation and/or testing are right for you.
Machelle Seibel, MD