Thyroid, peri, something else?
Posted , 5 users are following.
I posted earlier about dry mouth, thought about going to walk-in clinic today but have decided to make an appointment with my gynecologist instead. I have a lot of symptoms of hypothyroidism and plenty of peri symptoms, especially after ovary removal last year. The worst symptoms are weight gain and slow metabolism, even though I walk an average of 2-3 miles daily, anxiety, depression, irregular periods (anywhere from 15-35 days apart), panic attacks, worsened PMS, achy joints and muscles, brain fog, and sometimes sore breasts, also occasional insomnia that has become worse lately. Recently, I've started having dry mouth with chapped lips and a burning feeling on the tip of my tongue, which also looks redder than normal and is more sensitive than normal. I took my temperature this morning and it is 96.3. It has been low on other mornings when I've checked it. My GI doctor diagnosed a Vitamin D deficiency in May based on bloodwork results. He also felt the thyroid area and did not find any abnormality. I have never had a TSH test, though. Could this be a thyroid problem anyway??? Or is it all peri, or both? I'm so confused and tired of worrying all the time. It feels like my body isn't mine anymore, never knowing what will happen next.
0 likes, 7 replies
supemack39 Guest
Posted
Hi Liz,
unfortunately the symptoms you list are all part and parcel of menopause. I have had all plus more. The dry mouth and nippy tongue I still have. I got a mouth wash from the chemist,over the counter, which helps a bit. HRT has helped with many of the worst symptoms, and I use homeopathic remedies for the rest. Doctors try to put you on anti depressants, sleeping tablets and beta blockers. I made the decision not to take any of these. I use magnesium and kali phos, both in cell salt form, which help hugely. I also used magnesium in a night time formula spray, which cured the insomnia. I also take a high dosage of vit b complex and when necessary I use an iron supplement. I have spells of mild anxiety, but they are manageable. Try Propalis lozenges for the dry mouth at bedtime. When I think back to where I was a few months ago, I can't quite believe that I survived the whole circus. And all of this could have been prevented if one of the doctors at my surgery had not interfered with the hrt I had been on, with no problem, as he deemed I should no longer be on hrt because of my age. This instigated hormone imbalance for many months. I have now been told by a senior member of the practice that I will probably always have to take hrt and he will not stop it! I can live a normal life now and even managed a holiday, hold down my job, and can feel again. I hope reading this helps you to understand that things CAN get better.
Guest supemack39
Posted
Supemack39, thanks again... I bought some lozenges this morning and also got some Rescue Remedy because that helps me sometimes. I've been taking a calcium/magnesium/zinc supplement in the evening that usually helps me sleep, but lately I am waking up a couple of hours earlier than usual and sometimes can't go back to sleep. I also take evening primrose oil, flaxseed oil, Vitamin B complex, and I was taking the Vitamin D3 mentioned yesterday, in addition to my prescription Crohn's medication. So complicated! It helps to hear that things can get better. I feel like a dog chasing its tail all the time trying to track down solutions to symptoms and figure things out. Very reassuring to hear about the mouth/tongue symptoms, to know it's not just me. I continue to be blown away by the craziness that peri brings on... my mom had a really rough ride with it years ago, but even she has said she didn't have all the symptoms I've had. Whew!
dawn0904 supemack39
Posted
gailannie Guest
Posted
Liz, it's safe to say that many women on this forum feel your pain. Perimenopause can be a really difficult time. In fact, I had more symptoms in peri than actual meno.
The only thing you can do at this point is get some very comprehensive blood work to rule things out. You can ask for not just a TSH test check your thyroid, but also T4 and T3 levels as well as the tests for autoimmune thyroid disease. As far as your sex steroids, it's best to run the FSH on the first couple days of your cycle to see how loudly your FSH is screaming for estrogen. But in peri, it's often difficult to get labs that truly reflect how badly a women is feeling.
I truly know that feeling that your body isn't yours anymore. It's more than disheartening. Good luck with your labs.
Guest gailannie
Posted
Gailannie, thank you for the additional information about the blood tests. I'm familiar with the FSH from having it last year before I had an ovary removed. I've never had any of the thyroid tests but definitely want to get those as soon as I can - I know thyroid problems run in my dad's family. Thanks for the reassurance. I am going to request these tests, at least for the reassurance and at most to treat any issues that are identified.
Guest Guest
Posted
Guest Guest
Posted
Crosado8, I am sorry you are going through this, too. I also have an overbite that could only be surgically corrected (which I'm not willing to do), so I'm a mouth breather and that makes it even worse... such a nightmare. Honestly, as much as I feel bad that this is happening to other women, it's kind of a relief, too, to feel less alone. But it is miserable, isn't it? Take care of yourself as best you can and thanks for helping me feel a little better.