hashimoto's and menopause

Karen921 · 02-18-2009, 02:01 PM

Hi Pam,
I was doing some web surfing regarding hormone replacement therapy and came across several of your postings. You seem extremely knowledgeable on the subject, especially when it comes to the thyroid and HRT. I'll try to keep this short and sweet and maybe you can steer me in the right direction. I am 49 years old, had my last period at 46. I have the typical complaints associated with menopause - hot flashes, irritability, very anxious, water retention and weight gain. I can deal with most of these symptoms, but the weight gain is really bothering me. I have gained about 25 - 30 pounds in the past 4 years and have tried nutri system, south beach diet and recently weight watchers. In 7 weeks on weight watchers I have lost only 2 pounds. (I go to the gym 4 times a week). My mother and sister both have thyroid disease and I was diagnosed with hashimoto's about 4 years ago. I went to 4 different endocrinologists trying to get an answer as to why I was gaining weight and couldn't take it off no matter what I tried. Each endo doctor said my thyroid function was normal but the antibodies were high (hence, the hashimotos). One doctor put my on a low dose of synthroid, but that did nothing for me. I am desperate to take this weight off otherwise I will have to invest in a whole new wardrobe! I went back to one of the endocrinologists this past week and the only thing she can attribute the weight gain to is possible too much cortisol produced by stress. I am awaiting the results of the bloodwork but she suggested I try the synthroid again. I would like to try some type of HRT to help with the irritibility,mood swings and anxiety I am experiencing. She said that would be a possibility, but she wanted to wait to see how my thyroid was functioning. However, when I asked her if she was going to test my hormone levels, she said no, that she can tell by my symptons that HRT might be helpful. I asked if she used bioidentical hormones and she said yes, and she herself was on a patch. My question is if my thyroid test comes back okay except for the hashimotos, can I go on some type of HRT?
Thanks for any help you can give me,
Karen

dawnyama · 02-18-2009, 03:31 PM

I saw your post intermixed with another and didn't want to respond as I am not in menopause and don't know about how thyroid effects it, but wanted to say Welcome! to you. I know that Pam will be along shortly to respond, just wanted to say Hi!!

Karen921 · 02-18-2009, 05:12 PM

Thanks for the nice welcome! I've been doing alot of research on the web and it seems that Pam really has a handle on this subject. I am looking forward to learning anything I can from all the visitors to this site.

nonstickpam107 · 02-19-2009, 04:10 PM

You need testing for thyroid. And both testing for thyroid and sex hormones and BHRT...The thyroid goes even more hypo with added BHRT...so doctors balance (um, GOOD doctors at both thyroid and BHRT) the BHRT against replacement T4 AND T3.

Stop the Thyroid Madness - The truth about thyroid and thyroid treatment that should shed some light on it.

Pam

Karen921 · 02-19-2009, 04:59 PM

Pam,
I just got my bloodwork back:
TSH 3rd Generation 3.21 0.346 - 5.5 UIU/mL
T4, Free 1.06 0.8 - 1.8 ng/dL
Thyroglobulin Antibodies 31.8 less than 60>0 U/mL

My endo said everything is normal and I should "buckle down and stick to a diet". I hung up the phone and cried. I have tried everything to take the extra weight off but nothing has worked. If my thyroid function is normal, can the weight gain be attributed to menopause and would BHRT help? I am also suffering from the typical menopausal complaints - mood swings, irritability, water retention, trouble sleeping, etc. My memory is terrible and I also feel extremely anxious which is why I am considering BHRT.
Karen

nonstickpam107 · 02-20-2009, 04:26 AM

You need a doc good with both BHRT and thyroid. Most of us see five docs before being treated. And endo's are good at diabetes.

No FT3 test, so that doc isn't even concerned with if you are converting, he's just there to hand out diet advice. Most of us who are well treated are NOT treated by an endo. DO's are great usually.

You need sex hormone testing/BHRT, thyroid care too. I have some lists of patient rec. docs, if you want, and all of your complaints are BOTH thyroid and meno. Especially the brainfog. and the anxiety, those are both prime thyroid traits.

Use the ArmourThyroid website doc finder. Most of us are travelling up to two hours one way. Also, call all the pharms in the area, ask if they carry Armour or Westhroid, and when they say yes, ask for the name of the doc Rx'ing it...also call and ask about compounding pharms, and ask about compounded BHRT, some are having docs on staff help at the pharmacies.

Pam

Karen921 · 02-20-2009, 06:21 AM

Pam,
Thanks so much! I will take your advice and start searching for a different doc. If you know of any good docs in the Long Island/New York area, please let me know.
Karen

02-18-2009, 02:01 PM	#1
Karen921 Junior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 24 Gallery: Karen921	hashimoto's and menopause Hi Pam, I was doing some web surfing regarding hormone replacement therapy and came across several of your postings. You seem extremely knowledgeable on the subject, especially when it comes to the thyroid and HRT. I'll try to keep this short and sweet and maybe you can steer me in the right direction. I am 49 years old, had my last period at 46. I have the typical complaints associated with menopause - hot flashes, irritability, very anxious, water retention and weight gain. I can deal with most of these symptoms, but the weight gain is really bothering me. I have gained about 25 - 30 pounds in the past 4 years and have tried nutri system, south beach diet and recently weight watchers. In 7 weeks on weight watchers I have lost only 2 pounds. (I go to the gym 4 times a week). My mother and sister both have thyroid disease and I was diagnosed with hashimoto's about 4 years ago. I went to 4 different endocrinologists trying to get an answer as to why I was gaining weight and couldn't take it off no matter what I tried. Each endo doctor said my thyroid function was normal but the antibodies were high (hence, the hashimotos). One doctor put my on a low dose of synthroid, but that did nothing for me. I am desperate to take this weight off otherwise I will have to invest in a whole new wardrobe! I went back to one of the endocrinologists this past week and the only thing she can attribute the weight gain to is possible too much cortisol produced by stress. I am awaiting the results of the bloodwork but she suggested I try the synthroid again. I would like to try some type of HRT to help with the irritibility,mood swings and anxiety I am experiencing. She said that would be a possibility, but she wanted to wait to see how my thyroid was functioning. However, when I asked her if she was going to test my hormone levels, she said no, that she can tell by my symptons that HRT might be helpful. I asked if she used bioidentical hormones and she said yes, and she herself was on a patch. My question is if my thyroid test comes back okay except for the hashimotos, can I go on some type of HRT? Thanks for any help you can give me, Karen

02-20-2009, 04:26 AM	#6
nonstickpam107 Thyroid Patient Advocate Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 14,746 Gallery: nonstickpam107 Stats: Just right for now, need to hit the gym more WOE: Started w/Atkins/Now BFFM Start Date: Nov. 23 2000	You need a doc good with both BHRT and thyroid. Most of us see five docs before being treated. And endo's are good at diabetes. No FT3 test, so that doc isn't even concerned with if you are converting, he's just there to hand out diet advice. Most of us who are well treated are NOT treated by an endo. DO's are great usually. You need sex hormone testing/BHRT, thyroid care too. I have some lists of patient rec. docs, if you want, and all of your complaints are BOTH thyroid and meno. Especially the brainfog. and the anxiety, those are both prime thyroid traits. Use the ArmourThyroid website doc finder. Most of us are travelling up to two hours one way. Also, call all the pharms in the area, ask if they carry Armour or Westhroid, and when they say yes, ask for the name of the doc Rx'ing it...also call and ask about compounding pharms, and ask about compounded BHRT, some are having docs on staff help at the pharmacies. Pam __________________ So many fireworks. So little time. "You can't get a patent on a pig part"

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02-18-2009, 03:31 PM	#2
dawnyama Very Gabby LCF Member!!! Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Irmo, SC Posts: 4,884 Gallery: dawnyama Stats: 154/123(LDW)/125 5'4" WOE: H hcg/R2 P4 Start Date: 6/1/09	I saw your post intermixed with another and didn't want to respond as I am not in menopause and don't know about how thyroid effects it, but wanted to say Welcome! to you. I know that Pam will be along shortly to respond, just wanted to say Hi!!

02-18-2009, 05:12 PM	#3
Karen921 Junior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 24 Gallery: Karen921	Thanks for the nice welcome! I've been doing alot of research on the web and it seems that Pam really has a handle on this subject. I am looking forward to learning anything I can from all the visitors to this site.

02-19-2009, 04:10 PM	#4
nonstickpam107 Thyroid Patient Advocate Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 14,746 Gallery: nonstickpam107 Stats: Just right for now, need to hit the gym more WOE: Started w/Atkins/Now BFFM Start Date: Nov. 23 2000	You need testing for thyroid. And both testing for thyroid and sex hormones and BHRT...The thyroid goes even more hypo with added BHRT...so doctors balance (um, GOOD doctors at both thyroid and BHRT) the BHRT against replacement T4 AND T3. Stop the Thyroid Madness - The truth about thyroid and thyroid treatment that should shed some light on it. Pam

02-19-2009, 04:59 PM	#5
Karen921 Junior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 24 Gallery: Karen921	Pam, I just got my bloodwork back: TSH 3rd Generation 3.21 0.346 - 5.5 UIU/mL T4, Free 1.06 0.8 - 1.8 ng/dL Thyroglobulin Antibodies 31.8 less than 60>0 U/mL My endo said everything is normal and I should "buckle down and stick to a diet". I hung up the phone and cried. I have tried everything to take the extra weight off but nothing has worked. If my thyroid function is normal, can the weight gain be attributed to menopause and would BHRT help? I am also suffering from the typical menopausal complaints - mood swings, irritability, water retention, trouble sleeping, etc. My memory is terrible and I also feel extremely anxious which is why I am considering BHRT. Karen

02-20-2009, 06:21 AM	#7
Karen921 Junior LCF Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 24 Gallery: Karen921	Pam, Thanks so much! I will take your advice and start searching for a different doc. If you know of any good docs in the Long Island/New York area, please let me know. Karen