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PCOS & Thyroid?
Hi everyone,
I was wondering about the connection between PCOS & Hypothyroidism...I was diagnosed hypothyroid a year ago and have been trying to get my dosage right. Currently on 1/2 grain Armour, which I just started a month ago.
Before I started Armour I was off Synthyroid for about a month, so no meds from October 31st to December 14th. During this time I started to notice some darker facial hair and arm hair growing which wasn't there before, as I'm blonde and my hair is usually very fine and light. I also haven't had my period since September but I attributed that to stopping the pill and waiting for my cycle to get back on track.
My FT3 was low in the range last time I got checked in December (before I started Armour), it was 2.8 with a range of 2.0 to 4.4. I was also low in D and Ferritin, which I've been supplementing.
My question is, since these PCOS like symptoms popped up when I was off my thyroid meds will they hopefully resolve themselves when I'm properly medicated? I'm freaking out because it's as if having thyroid issues wasn't enough now I have these PCOS symptoms too. I'm not overweight and I don't really feel like I have blood sugar issues/insulin issues, which I know is common in PCOS as well. It's just the lack of period and hair growth....if anyone has any experience with these I would love advice please!!!
I was wondering about the connection between PCOS & Hypothyroidism...I was diagnosed hypothyroid a year ago and have been trying to get my dosage right. Currently on 1/2 grain Armour, which I just started a month ago.
Before I started Armour I was off Synthyroid for about a month, so no meds from October 31st to December 14th. During this time I started to notice some darker facial hair and arm hair growing which wasn't there before, as I'm blonde and my hair is usually very fine and light. I also haven't had my period since September but I attributed that to stopping the pill and waiting for my cycle to get back on track.
My FT3 was low in the range last time I got checked in December (before I started Armour), it was 2.8 with a range of 2.0 to 4.4. I was also low in D and Ferritin, which I've been supplementing.
My question is, since these PCOS like symptoms popped up when I was off my thyroid meds will they hopefully resolve themselves when I'm properly medicated? I'm freaking out because it's as if having thyroid issues wasn't enough now I have these PCOS symptoms too. I'm not overweight and I don't really feel like I have blood sugar issues/insulin issues, which I know is common in PCOS as well. It's just the lack of period and hair growth....if anyone has any experience with these I would love advice please!!!
Interesting. Thanks!
It's just interesting that I am developing PCOS-like symptoms when I am dealing with hypothyroidism. From what I understand, many women are diagnosed with PCOS at or around puberty and I wasn't, I had normal periods up until this year when I've been dealing with my lovely thyroid.
It's just interesting that I am developing PCOS-like symptoms when I am dealing with hypothyroidism. From what I understand, many women are diagnosed with PCOS at or around puberty and I wasn't, I had normal periods up until this year when I've been dealing with my lovely thyroid.
One article you might be interested in is from Hypothyroid Mom: PCOS and Thyroid Health. Here is a very small excerpt of that article...
"Interestingly, in all hypothyroid women in this study, the polycystic ovary appearance completely disappeared when thyroid function was restored. Although many of the women experienced improved menstrual regularity, 50% of the women with polycystic ovaries still did not begin to cycle regularly.
As such, we can see that hypothyroidism can create an ovarian condition similar to PCOS, but the two conditions can also co-exist."
"Interestingly, in all hypothyroid women in this study, the polycystic ovary appearance completely disappeared when thyroid function was restored. Although many of the women experienced improved menstrual regularity, 50% of the women with polycystic ovaries still did not begin to cycle regularly.
As such, we can see that hypothyroidism can create an ovarian condition similar to PCOS, but the two conditions can also co-exist."
COMMUNITY LEADER
You're right about the symptoms of adrenal fatigue, hypo and "life"... lol It's very possible that everything might work itself out once your thyroid dosage is right for you.
They say that if you have an adrenal issue, that should be addressed before thyroid, but to me it seems like a double edged sword, because when your thyroid isn't working properly, your adrenals kick in to help take up the slack, so when you start taking thyroid med, it takes time for the body to re-balance.
Definitely things to bring up with your doctor, but it's good to keep in mind that many mainstream doctors don't really believe in adrenal fatigue, so will often "pooh pooh" it. You won't know till you ask, but if you think it's a possibility don't be blown off.
They say that if you have an adrenal issue, that should be addressed before thyroid, but to me it seems like a double edged sword, because when your thyroid isn't working properly, your adrenals kick in to help take up the slack, so when you start taking thyroid med, it takes time for the body to re-balance.
Definitely things to bring up with your doctor, but it's good to keep in mind that many mainstream doctors don't really believe in adrenal fatigue, so will often "pooh pooh" it. You won't know till you ask, but if you think it's a possibility don't be blown off.
Not sure if I have adrenal fatigue, because many of the symptoms overlap with being hypo and just being alive (haha) I know that the ovaries-adrenals-thyroid are all connected so I'm just wondering if all of my symptoms are all interconnected and will hopefully get better as I figure out the correct dosage/meds for me.
I'm only 25, so I'm not sure if DHEA would decline much at my age.
I'll definitely talk to my doctor on Thursday and see what she says.
I'm only 25, so I'm not sure if DHEA would decline much at my age.
I'll definitely talk to my doctor on Thursday and see what she says.
COMMUNITY LEADER
Do you have symptoms of adrenal fatigue? I, personally, don't think that's really as prevalent as some believe it to be. Typically, with adrenal fatigue, the adrenals would produce too little of their hormones, rather than too much.
I don't know your age, but it's normal for DHEA production to decline as we age, not increase.
You can mention it to your new doctor and see what he says.
Another, simpler, possibility is if you lost hair when you were hypo, and it's beginning to grow back in, it may be coming a different color/texture or in different places... I had some that did that.
It takes Synthroid 4-6 weeks to reach full potential in your blood, and though you didn't take it for a month, it would still have taken time for it to get completely out of your blood, as well.
I don't know your age, but it's normal for DHEA production to decline as we age, not increase.
You can mention it to your new doctor and see what he says.
Another, simpler, possibility is if you lost hair when you were hypo, and it's beginning to grow back in, it may be coming a different color/texture or in different places... I had some that did that.
It takes Synthroid 4-6 weeks to reach full potential in your blood, and though you didn't take it for a month, it would still have taken time for it to get completely out of your blood, as well.
I'm going in on Thursday to a new doctor for a physical and thyroid check up. Should I ask to be tested for DHEA/hormonal levels too?
Could excess DHEA be due to adrenal fatigue as well? I know that all hormonal issues are interconnected so I'm wondering if my whole body is just off kilter.
Could excess DHEA be due to adrenal fatigue as well? I know that all hormonal issues are interconnected so I'm wondering if my whole body is just off kilter.
I'm scheduled on Thursday for a physical with a new doctor and to go over my thyroid. Should I also ask for a DHEA/ other hormone tests?
COMMUNITY LEADER
Both your thyroid and reproductive organs are endocrine glands so all the hormones have to work together; other than that, I don't think there's a relationship, unless it's a pituitary issue.
The PCOS like symptoms "could" be related to over-production of testosterone or DHEA, which is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that leads to the production of androgens and estrogens in, both men and women. Too much DHEA in women can cause symptoms such as oily skin, increased unnatural hair growth, a deep voice, irregular periods, smaller breast size, and increased genital size.
Low thyroid hormones can also cause lack of or irratic periods and your FT3 was certainly low in December, so that could also be a contributor.
When are you scheduled for thyroid labs, again?
The PCOS like symptoms "could" be related to over-production of testosterone or DHEA, which is a hormone produced by the adrenal glands that leads to the production of androgens and estrogens in, both men and women. Too much DHEA in women can cause symptoms such as oily skin, increased unnatural hair growth, a deep voice, irregular periods, smaller breast size, and increased genital size.
Low thyroid hormones can also cause lack of or irratic periods and your FT3 was certainly low in December, so that could also be a contributor.
When are you scheduled for thyroid labs, again?
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