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[Katejo]

Since I was first  in perimenopause (approx early 2009) I have had the problem of aching calves/soles/balls of feet and also tingling in hands and feet. I have previously  connected it with menopause and not with my hypothyroidism but have recently started reading another forum which discusses hypothyroidism. I have come across several contributions from participants who are similar age to me and have found that Levothyroxine is less effective post menopause. Some have tried to persuade their GP to look at T3 as well as T4 but have met with resistance. Has anyone here tried a different type of thyroxine and found it to work better?

[babyjane]

Hello, strangely it was during peri menopause that my thyroid levels became unstable (had Hashimoto's autoimmune hypothyroidism since 1987) but I had been warned by my endocrinologist that this could happen. I have my blood levels checked every 6 months and had quite a few dose adjustments of thyroxine over that time. I am also on T3 and my T3 levels remained unchanged so I think it is the T4 (thyroxine) that fluctuates with menopause.
I am now post menopause and over the last year my T4 levels have become a lot more stable, I presume because my oestrogen levels are not ducking and diving as much now, my other meno smptoms have also become less troublesome.
Unfortunately GPs cannot request T3 tests, it has to be requested by a consultant endocrinologist but I do much better on T3/T4 combination treatment.

[Katejo]

Hello, strangely it was during peri menopause that my thyroid levels became unstable (had Hashimoto's autoimmune hypothyroidism since 1987) but I had been warned by my endocrinologist that this could happen. I have my blood levels checked every 6 months and had quite a few dose adjustments of thyroxine over that time. I am also on T3 and my T3 levels remained unchanged so I think it is the T4 (thyroxine) that fluctuates with menopause.
I am now post menopause and over the last year my T4 levels have become a lot more stable, I presume because my oestrogen levels are not ducking and diving as much now, my other meno smptoms have also become less troublesome.
Unfortunately GPs cannot request T3 tests, it has to be requested by a consultant endocrinologist but I do much better on T3/T4 combination treatment.

How long have you been post menopause?  2 years since end of periods for me. When you say that you are on T3, what do you mean? Are you on a different medication for T3? I am on 200mcg  Levothyroxine. I don't have Hashimoto. I was born with congenital hypothyroidism. My other menopause symptoms are pretty mild really.

[babyjane]

I don't know as I haven't had periods since the age of 38 due to hysterectomy with ovaries retained. I am 59 now and meno symptoms are better now so I must be post meno by now.

I was on 250mcg thyroxine and still having hypo symptoms despite high blood levels of T4 so was referred to endocrinologist who felt I was not converting T4 to T3 properly so I was put onto T4/T3 combination treatment which stabilised me. T4 is called Thyroxine and T3 is called Liothyronine. GPs cannot recommend this, you have to be under a consultant endocrinologist.

[Katejo]

Thanks. That is the info I wanted. I had heard about T3 before but from a US point of view. I suspect that I will get resistance from the GO so want solid info to support my argument. I will pay for a private appointment  if needed.

[babyjane]

You have the right to ask for a referral if you feel your needs are not being met by your GP.  Good luck.