Congenital hypothroidism and menopause

Hi, I am 44 years old and started having a slew of problems since I had a partial thyriodectomy almost 2 1/2 years ago. The Drs always dismissed each as a separate issue but funny thing, they all started gradually after the surgery, and the more I read, and yes that does make them mad, the more I learned. One actually being continuous bleeding. Going to a vitamin store (real one with knowledgable people who care) really helped. I started taking Alfalfa which has natural plant estrogens and after reading about these new "natural" plant based hormone pellets so many women women are having I implanted right now, I'm really thing it's possible the same thing. My periods are for the most part "normal"' again.

I saw my endocrinologist today and I am also going to try Armour Thyroid because I have not been feeling well and I have a lot of muscle pain. Going to see if switching from synthroid helps with this problem.

Hello Katejo:

My name is Shelly and I am 54, and was diagnosed when I was 27 with Hashimoto's Thyroid disease.

When I was 12,  I noticed some weird symptoms but back in the 1970's nobody tested me.

I hardly ever got my period.  I also developed little cysts all over the ovaries. So it could have been more from my Polycystic disease.

Cramps in the legs, can be a few reasons,  1) a  lack of magnesium in the diet.  Peanuts are good and have magnesium in them.  2) low potassium, it can be fixed by vitamins or eating foods with potassium.  3) Vit D.  many of us with thyroid problems have low D.  Myself included.

They can test your blood and if your level is lower than 30 you need replacement of Vit D.  The test takes about a week to do.

I take 2000IU a day. As we age we do not make Vit D from Sunlight and since you are only 2 years younger then me, I bet you have low D.

Menopause can cause problems like loss of hair, night sweats, headaches, feeling HOT a  lot.

Now one more thing can cause heel and leg pain in calves, and it is called Plantar Facisitits and it can be diagnosed by a Podiatrist (FOOT DOCTOR), and you may have it.  What it is, has to do with a long ligament in the foot and arch area, and it gets micro tears in it and you need good shoes and no high heels and shoes with arch support.  The type of pain it causes travels from the foot up to the calf.

Also some physio helps and certain stretches can help.  Massage also.

So check that out, I have it and i had my shoes changed and it goes away. Also you can take a bottle and freeze some water in it and roll it on your foot, it helps calm it down.

If you do not like that GP, can you change to another?  You need to be able to talk to your doctor.

Any questions, just ask.

Regards,

Shelly

Hello Katejo11 - I have a similar story.  I was taking Levothyroxine for years with no problems but now I am 50 and moving into Menopause and last year I started having terrible pain in my feet and calves.  It felt like neuropathy, very much nerve related.  I had terrible restless leg syndrom and burning in my calves and also in my arms.  It kind of felt like my nerves were vibrating as if my cell phone was going off in my pocket.  It was worse at night.  I tried all of the supplements suggested and nothing helped.  I had nerve tests done to see if there was any damage with no results.  I finally decided to switch to Nature Throid because I was under the impression it was being caused by my body not being able to produce enough T3 brought on by menopause.  Once I switched over, my foot pain completely went away and so did a lot of my other symptoms.  I feel so much better.  As close to normal as I have felt in years. Until you find a solution, it does help to soak in Ebsom Salt in a bath.  The Magnesium in the salt absorbs into your feet a lot easier than taking Magnesium pills.  It helps with muscle twitching too.  Hope this helps.