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Levothyroxine & irregular periods/fertility

Posted , 35 users are following.

hkl
hkl

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

52 Replies

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  • april85210
    april85210 hkl

    Posted

    Hello. I've read your post and had a few questions. I've recently started levothyroxin about 2 months ago. I am 24. Just got off my birth control in January so my husband and myself could try for a baby. My periods started right back up like clockwork, very regular. This month was different however, my period was 10 days late and oddly enough I've had some of the worst period symptoms of my life. I'm talking about heavy bleeding, severe cramps, vomiting, black out and dizzy spells. Have any of you ladies experienced this. I hope I don't sound crazy, but I don't know where else to turn.

    Thanks

    • SusanEB
      SusanEB april85210

      Posted

      April, My mom gave me a book about 20 yrs ago...sadly the only time I ever read anything in was then too...but what I read was a life saver.

      After I gave birth to my second child, followed by a tubal ligation, in '85, I would have excruciating cramps.

      The book was: No More Mentrual Cramps and Other Good News by Penny Wise Budoff.

      I flipped the book open to see where it would land and I read:

      Avoid dairy, specifically milk(especially whole) a week prior to period. The milk builds up lactic acid in the system which causes those severe, double you over, want to crawl in a deep dark hole and hide, cramps. Kind of like a migraine in your uterus! I know it sounds strange but it works!

      I realize it has been a year since you posted this and I hope you have found some relief!

      Would love to hear back! 😁. Susan

  • lgoodmall
    lgoodmall hkl

    Posted

    April, i'm in a similar situation as you. I got off BC about 6 months ago as the hubby and I are TTC. I was diagnosed with Hypothyroidism about a month ago.  I was on the generic for Synthroid for a month and it made my symptoms worse. My period was about a week late (while still on the generic) and very light.  I'm on my third day of the brand name Synthroid and now it's really heavy, lots of PMS symptoms, and it has overstayed its welcome. What do I do?  Prior to going on medicine, my period was like clockwork and it was easy to tell when/if I was ovulating. Now, I have no idea what's going on with my body and i'm so frustrated and confused.  Any help from the community would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks!
  • look
    look hkl

    Posted

    Hi i am on levotryxon nw does that help u start ur periods
  • robin55398
    robin55398 hkl

    Posted

    I'm also 29 yrs old and was diagnosed with hypothyroidism. I was at first on 50mg but now on 88mg. I haven't had a period sincenter Aug 2015 did u have any problems?

  • sandra_16622
    sandra_16622 hkl

    Posted

    I see this was posted over a year ago but am replying as it may help others with same problem. I also have been diagnosed with under active thyroid. Started on thyroxine. I am fast approaching 50 but still having regular and extremely heavy periods. Came on - as week 5 came and went and the period didn't, I went to the doc's. She put me on a hormone tablet which she said would stop and reset my period. it did but no synthetic hormone tablets suit me and I had some horrible side effects. 2 months later my thyroxine dose is increased to 75mg. I start a period. It's now week 3. Heavy and constant... Haven't decided what I am going to do but can confirm without doubt the extended time of period is down to the thyroxine. I have been menstruating for 37 years and never ever had an extended period before. Hope you got a solution to your situation and been told you are not going into the menopause.
    • barbara98940
      barbara98940 sandra_16622

      Posted

      You could try having a Mirena Coil fitted. It would either stop your periods completely or reduce the flow considerably. I had it fitted because my periods were heavy and incredibly painful. They last 5 years. I've now had 3. With thee first onemy.periods wrre light, only lasting 3 days. With the 2nd snd 3rd ones I have had no periods at all. Bliss. Birth control is a bonus!
    • barbara98940
      barbara98940 robin55398

      Posted

      There could be other reasons for no period. Severely underweight is one. It's worth seeing your doctor.
    • me85383
      me85383 sandra_16622

      Posted

      Hi, I started taking levothyroxine a few weeks ago just as I had finished my period. Within two days of taking the tablets I started bleeding again which became worse, to the point I atarted losing quite big blood clots. I missed one of my tablets and by time I realised it was too late to take it so I left it. Anyway, the next day the bleeding became lighter as if I was going to stop, until later that day it started again and yes that morning took the tablet. Next morning 45 minutes after taking the tablet true to form I could feel the heavy Ness of the bleeding start again. I phoned the doctors and explained what was happening and they said it could be too higher dose and to stop taking them until I see the doctor tomorrow. I have started to feel tired again and skin is beginning to become dry and horrible again! My periods like yours were consistent and never had any problems. I had a micarriage earlier this year and 9n the coil so wondered if the two reacted with each other! Anyway going to see what the doc thinks tomorrow but just thought I would let you know your not on your own. I thought it was just my body reacting badly, and the leaflet does not say anything about this in the side effects
  • ana43168
    ana43168 hkl

    Posted

    Hello,

    I am experiencing the exactky the same scenario. I am 29, started having my irregular menstrual cycle so went to my Gyno and when doing further blood test found out I had thyroid problem. I am on 75 mg Levothyroxine,been taking for last 2 months, nothing has changed. I have hot flashes, fatigue, haven't had my period for a month now. Like you I also would like to plan for a family soon but these past few months have been very stressful with my health. The most scry thing is my doctor do not have any answer all he said was if the thyroid is not balanced we can go up on pill. Also I have reading that women might experience early menapause due to thyroid problem. Its really scary.

  • Cece2327
    Cece2327 hkl

    Posted

    Hi hkl,

    I know I am over a year late but I just wanted to share my story. I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism last June of 2015 but I knew something was wrong with my body months before that so kept on nagging my doctor. Lol! I decided that I was not going to be on any medication for the rest of my life. I talked to God. I trusted in Him. I had y mustard seed of faith and I went with it. I am not suggesting for anyone to stop their medication but I stopped mine November of 2015. I saw my doctor's partner in January 2016 for a check and told her I had done and she scolded me as she checked my TSH level. From 1.1 to 1.6. Small difference but a difference. She was very surprise and scheduled me with my doctor in a few months. I saw her in May 2016 and my TSH is just going up. She was so surprised and asked me what I did. I simply replied with the truth. I PRAYED.

    Good luck with your thyroid and let us know when you conceive. I pray that you will soon if you haven't already. If you believe, keep the faith!!

    Be blessed!

  • james_99873
    james_99873 hkl

    Posted

    Eat more protien type foods this feeds the cells in your body! 
  • sarahs602
    sarahs602 hkl

    Posted

    Hi everyone,

    Okay im not a doctor but i have been thru this exactly. Luckily my gynac was really good. If u have underactive thyroid sometimes u can have high Prolactin levels. Prolactin is something produced by our body to make our breast produce milk but it also prevents us from ovulating and can alter menstrual cycle length. I was prescribed something called Cabergoline. This is given in very lil doses. Some docs might also provide Bromocriptine but the first one is betteris what my doc said. This basically lowers prolactin and hence makes ovulation happen but it has side effects like depression which i did get but once they adjusted the dose im fine now. Ask ur doc for a prolactin test. This worked for me and i again am not a professional but there is nothing wrong with doing a blood test to see if this is the case then see what ur doc says. Hope this helps. Btw i had two pregnancies after that but had miscarriages because of chromosomal disorders which were not related to this according to docs. So thats a seperate problem according to them. Also see an endocrinologist. If u have thyroid probs thats a better specialist to have also they have more resources than a gynac or md. When i do get pregnant they adjust my thyroid medication and stop the cabergoline and give me something else. Lastly, i am not a professional or a physician. This is just my personal experience hence my advice is to see the correct healthcare professional before doing anything. I hope this helps.

    • AmyYamy
      AmyYamy sarahs602

      Posted

      You might want to look into B6 also.  It lowers prolactin, among other things.  I had high prolactin levels too, and had a miscarriage.  I had milk leaking after my miscarriage as well.  The B6 is a really safe way to keep this under control.  

      Also, in the past couple years, I had some lumps appear in my breasts, which were scary and I had a biopsy and mammograms every six months.  Well, I started taking B6 again, this time 100mg a day, and in two months, I'm lump free.  I can't hardly even believe it.  All the time and worry, and money I spent on tests, and the sleepless nights, and my breast feeling like a sock filled with marbles, and B6 was all I needed?  And why none of my doctors even suggested it... it's almost a crime.

    • Tammy123
      Tammy123 sarahs602

      Posted

      Hi sarah ive been on levothyroxine about 3 months now 75 mg periods are all over the place and now suffer with anxiety can you tell me if these are linked thank u x
    • Madski
      Madski Tammy123

      Posted

      I have been on it for 3mos as well and the same dosage.  Periods are not regular and behond heavy.  I am suffering from axiety now as well.
    • Tammy123
      Tammy123 Madski

      Posted

      Hi madski been takin levo 75 mg for 3 months just over and my periods are all over came on and only bled for 3 days then started again after the 3 days is this normal
    • Madski
      Madski Tammy123

      Posted

      I have been on for 4 monts now and periods are still beyond heavy for 2 days but still getting my period every month...so far no bleeding in between.
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