Correllation Between Surgical Menopause and Thyroid?

[cw1330]

I had a hysterectomy last September 2006.  I have been taking Synthroid since 1995.  All of the sudden, the estridol patch I now use and the synthroid seem to be battling it out to see who is going to win.  Now when I take my synthroid I get nervous, sick in my stomach, jittery, tremors, etc. and I can't even take the medication and function any more.  I have just decided to give up on the patch because I feel like a zombie every day.  Why would I get these symptoms from the synthroid all the sudden?  Do menopause and thyroid have something to do with eachother?  I went off the synthroid too because I just couldn't take it any more.  Now my TSH levels are 80.00 but I am not having any symptoms of an underactive thyroid.  What is going on?????

[cw1330]

Thank you - I do have an appointment with an endocrinologist on October 31 so I am hoping to get more answers and insight as to what might be going on with my reaction to my meds all the sudden.

[Machelle Seibel, MD]

Estrogen and thyroid medication do affect each other and change the dosages your body needs to work normally. If your TSH level is 80 and  your aren't  having symptoms of thyroid disease, you will in the next month or so. Ask your doctor for a referral to an endocrinologist or a reproductive endocrinologist who works with this type of problem. Thyroid disease affects at least 5% of women and every woman who lives long enough goes through menopause so these are common problems that can be worked out for you. It will be best if you get your referral soon as before too long the symptoms will start or increase. It can take up to 3 months for your thyroid medication to really make your body's levels get back to normal.
Machelle M. Seibel, MD