Levothyroxine & irregular periods/fertility
Posted , 35 users are following.
Hi there, I'm new to this and completely at my wits' end. All advice gratefully received. Here's my background... I'm a 29 year old female, relatively healthy, no other medical conditions. 5 months ago I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid; TSH at 18. I was put on levothyroxine 50mg to start with. Follow up meeting, this was increased to 75mg as TSH was 4.0. My latest reading showed TSH of 1.4 so no change to dosage.
Here comes the strange part. All my life my periods have been like clockwork, even when I was not receiving treatment. I'm 29 and desperately want to start a family, so much so my partner and I purchased a fertility clearblue fertility monitor 9 months ago. All the way through up until 3 months ago, my periods were regular and my fertility peaked and troughed as it should. But now, it's all over the place. My periods are complelty irregular, ranging from 18 days to 35+ if at all. My fertility doesn't peak, and this all started 2 months after starting Levo.
I double checked the patient leaflet, noticed it asked to call the specialist if menstrual cycle changed, did so and I really really feel like I've been fobbed off. Basically told "under no circumstances is it the tablets and there's nothing more i can do for you".
Given I want to try for a family so badly, not sure what I'm supposed do. Has anyone else experienced this? I'm 29 and based on what the specialist has said, I'm majorly concerned I'm now going through early menopause!! In my mind, there's no doubt it is the tablets, but if the specialist doesn't believe me / think so, what am I supposed to do?
If you've made it this far, thank you for reading! I'm so so worried we won't be able to have a family because of these stupid tablets. Feel very much rejected by the system - take the pills, original symptoms cured, not the specialists problem anymore.
again, thank you xxx
1 like, 52 replies
bucketroyal
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hkl
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anita68112
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I am in the exact same position as you...
I had a blood test yesterday after calling the doctors as my period is now 50+ days over due. and before this was gradually getting further and futher apart. This has most definitely started since i begun to take Levothyroxine. Although, i fear the doctors will completely disagree.
I wondered if you have an update?
x
stuart00303
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stuart00303
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buddhaken
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clairelouisemiles
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just wondering if you'd had any improvements? I recently got diagnosed with under active thyroid after TTC for 8 months without a single positive ovulation test. I've been on 100mg Levothyroxine for three months and my cycles are just getting longer (42 days last month) with still no positive ovulation tests. I have no idea if this is normal and am still waiting for my first endocrinologist appointment. Situation complicated by endometriosis if this changes anything?
hkl
Posted
Some improvements for me - They're no longer getting longer. they fluctuate between 24 and 46 days! In terms of is this normal, I think the profession have a blind spot when it comes to these "non critical" side effects.
I've been to my GP countless times and also to a private endo - both have said 'are you feeling better now... What would you rather have... Crippling tiredness or irregular periods'. Shocking. The private endo said to me that I have no choice - I have to take the tablets to stay well, so I'll just have to live with irregular periods. It's a shame that some (admittedly only two!) are ignorant to the stated side effects of these tablets and can happily tell a 29 year old woman that she could be menopausal, rather than support a patient who's sat in front of them worrying sick! ( rant over... I'd brushed my frustrations under the carpet for a while!)
My advice is to track all your readings - when your period starts, if you're using clearblue fertility monitor, when you move from one to two bars, how heavy your periods are, how long they last... Keep a diary of it all as evidence. Some months i do get a peak, some months I don't. Before the thyroid tablets, I was regular and peaked as I should. We're still TTC though. I will be going back to the doctor soon regarding my fertility - we've been TTC for quite a while now.
Do Keep trying!!!! - it could be that the hormones that are released at your peak are not at a level for the monitor to pick up, but you could still be releasing an egg. I havent tried it, but have read upon on women measuring their basal body temp too, which does fluctuate during your cycle. Also, It does take a while for the thyroxine to get into your system, so it could be that it is at its worst now, and will start to settle down soon. It is so so easy to worry yourself about this - I wish I could provide more positive feedback! I completely understand the hope month on month, so I'm not going to tell you to stop thinking about it!!!!
Do let me know how you get on with your endo - I'm sure you'll have a more positive experience than I did. Without sounding sexist, i have seen two male doctors... maybe there's value in trying to see a female endo / GP who may be a little more sensitive / understanding / considerate towards our situations.
I do hope the tests improve for you - mine did (ignoring the irregularities!). Keep me posted!
tahanibond hkl
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just wanted to say , I'm 43 yrs old with no period problems , since I started taking euthyrox the same month my period never came and still, it's gone. No trace. It was a shock really , from what u wrote ,does that mean it will never come back again and I'm menopausal ?
barbarakovacevi tahanibond
Posted
Im 40 years and has the same problem like you. My period stopped 3 months after started with Eutyrox ( before was regular). My thyroid hormones are now ok but now im missing my second period. Have you found out what is the reason?My gynecologist gave me Orgametril to try to provoke menstr. but now is the 3rd day im taking it still 12 left.
darla33303 hkl
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clairelouisemiles
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Well I finally got a positive from my Clearblue fertility monitor so got pretty giddy this morning (although it is CD23!). I realise that sounds daft but it's the first time ever so feel positive.
What has your endo said to you? No one has ever told me what they will do for me. I know its a woman so fingers crossed she will at least be sympathetic, here's hoping!
hkl
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Yay! That's great news! I was exactly the same when I got the three bars!
After i pushed him for a follow on action, my endo said for me to go back if I haven't conceived in 6months and he will refer me on to a fertility specialist. That's it. No follow up, no alternative tablets, just that I'll be passed on to someone else.
Really hope your endo gives you what you need! And good luck with the TTC
Keep me posted, H x
islandgirldee hkl
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HavenFertility islandgirldee
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RE: Your periods like "egg white mixed with blood"
Whether or not the condition of your periods was in association with the coil or other, as women move through the process of perimenopausal transition, and particularly experience shorter cycles, ovulation can occur DURING menses.