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Post Tyhroidectomy Problems
I am 41 years old andhad a total thyroidectomy in November last year. Since them I have not had a period, my GP says this is related to the surgery but my consultant says it's not and there may be another problem. I am tempted to see my gynocologist but am not convinced he can help. I am stable on my medication and have been for a few months now, I feel the best I have felt in a long time, weight has dramatically decreased, I dont feel tired anymore, my skin is good everything is normal except I haven't had a period since October. Can you tell me if this is normal or should I be making further investigations as to why this is happening?
Thanks
Thanks
Could it be possible that it's due to the weight loss. You said your weight "decreased dramatically". I know a dramatic increase/decrease in weight can effect having your period.
I dunno about 41 being too young for Menopause.
I started the 'change ' at the age of 36 and was low in Estrogen.
When I was diagnosed with Graves (approx 44) I hadnt had a period for well over 2 years and put it down to meds for the hyperthyroidism.
When I had the hormones tests done 6 months ago, it showed that I had 'been and gone' through the Menopause some 3 years prior.
My Mum and my Sister both had early menopause (one being 32 and the other being 36) so I think personally a trip to the Gyno is in order in this case.
I started the 'change ' at the age of 36 and was low in Estrogen.
When I was diagnosed with Graves (approx 44) I hadnt had a period for well over 2 years and put it down to meds for the hyperthyroidism.
When I had the hormones tests done 6 months ago, it showed that I had 'been and gone' through the Menopause some 3 years prior.
My Mum and my Sister both had early menopause (one being 32 and the other being 36) so I think personally a trip to the Gyno is in order in this case.
I agree with Sandy. The one thing I can't figure out is why in the heck did they TT the thyroid for Hashi's??
Was that the sole reason for the removal?
You can ablate with RAI or remove the gland and the antibodies will still be there attacking. They may not be destroying "the gland" anymore but they still wreak havoc on the person.........
Am I having a DUH moment??
Hashimoto is strongly linking to early meno. The most important thing you can suggest to our doctor is to run a complete hormone panel. To start the FSH/LH adding in the estrodiol - progesterone and testosterone. You'll be in a cr@p shoot if all of these are not ran.
Ranges need to be examed very carefully between the last three panels. My guess on this would be you are depleted in progesterone and need either pill or cream formula to boost the levels back up. You need to make sure the dosages are correct in progesterone. Too much will spill into testosterone and cause acne and other symptoms - where to little will tease the estrodiol/estrogen in your system and weaken the adrenals with cortisol build up and them you will stack on weight.
Making sure your doctor is willing to give you individual treatment and not treat you as a "range" patient is key here and can save you from alot of misery.
It wouldn't hurt for you to introduce Selenium into your mix of supplement to make an attempt to keep those Hashi antibodies down into remission. If the attackes continue to swing it may make treatment difficult for the doctor to get you balanced right again.
41 is too young for all this, but it is quite common in Hashi patients. Check out your insulin levels in the near future too. With Hashi antibodies - this could be producing a high insulin resistance level and also be contributing to your periods becoming irregular.
Was that the sole reason for the removal?
You can ablate with RAI or remove the gland and the antibodies will still be there attacking. They may not be destroying "the gland" anymore but they still wreak havoc on the person.........
Am I having a DUH moment??
Hashimoto is strongly linking to early meno. The most important thing you can suggest to our doctor is to run a complete hormone panel. To start the FSH/LH adding in the estrodiol - progesterone and testosterone. You'll be in a cr@p shoot if all of these are not ran.
Ranges need to be examed very carefully between the last three panels. My guess on this would be you are depleted in progesterone and need either pill or cream formula to boost the levels back up. You need to make sure the dosages are correct in progesterone. Too much will spill into testosterone and cause acne and other symptoms - where to little will tease the estrodiol/estrogen in your system and weaken the adrenals with cortisol build up and them you will stack on weight.
Making sure your doctor is willing to give you individual treatment and not treat you as a "range" patient is key here and can save you from alot of misery.
It wouldn't hurt for you to introduce Selenium into your mix of supplement to make an attempt to keep those Hashi antibodies down into remission. If the attackes continue to swing it may make treatment difficult for the doctor to get you balanced right again.
41 is too young for all this, but it is quite common in Hashi patients. Check out your insulin levels in the near future too. With Hashi antibodies - this could be producing a high insulin resistance level and also be contributing to your periods becoming irregular.
One big symptom of Hashimoto's Thyroiditis is infertility/premature menopause. I went through premature menopause at age 35--have had no periods in 3 years. OB/GYN and also (useless!!!!) reproductive endocrinologist did not even test me for the hashi's antibodies at that time (of course because my TSH was normal--ha!). Never had thyroid problems at all and they had no idea why I went through meopause so early.
Fast forward to Feb of this year when I was induced into Hashi He// and finally had a reason for going through menopause three years ago.
It was an extremely difficult time for me because I had just gotten married and I was TTC. I have gone back and forth on HRT. I did it for a while but don't like the side effects (why do I want sore breasts and a period?!) I am dealing with the hot flashes now, I might go back on HRT at some point, but they are a mild irritation compared to the other stuff I've been going through.
It would probably be good to check your FSH and estrogen levels to see what's going on. Even if you're taking thyroid medication it could be the Hashi's running its course. Of course it could be other things as well, this has just been my experience. If you're feeling better than you have in a long time I'd definitely hold off on doing any other medication, even if your numbers are whacky. Sometimes they try to push you into HRT fast (especially at your age).
Take care,
Sandra
Fast forward to Feb of this year when I was induced into Hashi He// and finally had a reason for going through menopause three years ago.
It was an extremely difficult time for me because I had just gotten married and I was TTC. I have gone back and forth on HRT. I did it for a while but don't like the side effects (why do I want sore breasts and a period?!) I am dealing with the hot flashes now, I might go back on HRT at some point, but they are a mild irritation compared to the other stuff I've been going through.
It would probably be good to check your FSH and estrogen levels to see what's going on. Even if you're taking thyroid medication it could be the Hashi's running its course. Of course it could be other things as well, this has just been my experience. If you're feeling better than you have in a long time I'd definitely hold off on doing any other medication, even if your numbers are whacky. Sometimes they try to push you into HRT fast (especially at your age).
Take care,
Sandra
Hmmm...if you aren't hyper then probably a trip to a gyno might be in order. The only thing I can think of is that your pituitary gland may have gone out of whack. This can cause the thyroid problems in the first place, and as I said it is also responsible for our periods too.
Might be a good idea to get a full hormone blood test done. This will then show if your FSH and others are actually working or not.
Cheers!
Might be a good idea to get a full hormone blood test done. This will then show if your FSH and others are actually working or not.
Cheers!
Thanks for the reply, trying to get used to using this site!
Deffo not pregnant, husband has been snipped so really no chance!
I had Hashimos disease, totally underactive thryroid. I am on Thyroxine 125 daily. Levels checked last 2 months ago (cant remember the figures now will check them when I get home) but they were well within range. Plus am sure they are still fine as when they fluctuate I feel awful.
At first I thought it was just post op stuff, but the consultant says I should be back to normal by now. Very difficult to find information on these things, I only thought it may be a problem when I was reading some sites like this.
To be honest I really dont mind if I never have a period again, but I am just concerned there is another underlying problem and I dont want to go back to feeling as bad as I did the 2 years before the op!
Deffo not pregnant, husband has been snipped so really no chance!
I had Hashimos disease, totally underactive thryroid. I am on Thyroxine 125 daily. Levels checked last 2 months ago (cant remember the figures now will check them when I get home) but they were well within range. Plus am sure they are still fine as when they fluctuate I feel awful.
At first I thought it was just post op stuff, but the consultant says I should be back to normal by now. Very difficult to find information on these things, I only thought it may be a problem when I was reading some sites like this.
To be honest I really dont mind if I never have a period again, but I am just concerned there is another underlying problem and I dont want to go back to feeling as bad as I did the 2 years before the op!
First off, you sure you aren't pregnant? It can happen!
Secondly, the pituitary gland which is responsible for the thyroid AND the female hormones may be totally out of whack for you.
What was your diagnosis before you had the thyroidectomy? What levels of medication are you on now? If you are too hyperthyroid this can suppress periods.
Have you had your levels checked recently? If so, ask for a copy and post them here.
If you aren't pregnant, then your levels may be too high.
Cheers.
Secondly, the pituitary gland which is responsible for the thyroid AND the female hormones may be totally out of whack for you.
What was your diagnosis before you had the thyroidectomy? What levels of medication are you on now? If you are too hyperthyroid this can suppress periods.
Have you had your levels checked recently? If so, ask for a copy and post them here.
If you aren't pregnant, then your levels may be too high.
Cheers.
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