Thyroid Disease or Menopause?

Could be Diabetes,

I am in the same boat as you, I am exhausted and feeling COLD

I need to go get tested as well,

I would not get a hysterectomy, if it was menopause, I would just take the Hormones.

M

Maria,

One way to help you figure out if it's your thyroid is to take your waking temperature with a quality thermometer- digital may be easier, but sometimes is not quite as accurate. If you are consistently for instance, two weeks) at or below 97.5 when you first wake up (before you get out of bed and start moving around (keep the thermometer at your bedside so you don't have to get up to get it), that is an indicator you probably have a thyroid problem. Please, please consider getting the book "The Garden of Fertility"- it will help you answer so many of your questions!

Your body is amazing and can give you the answers you need better than any health professional if you take a few hours to learn about the many indicators you have as a woman to what is going on in your body.

If you *do* have a thyroid problem, there are wonderful ways to treat it that are less costly and invasive than medication, and may work just as well or better depending on your state of health. To begin with, quality cod liver oil (you can find it in caplets or flavored in lemon and mint to help you get it down) and extra virgin coconut oil provide some of the healthy fats that hormones need to function properly, and using celtic sea salt (light grey in color, unrefined natural salt) can help you increase your intake of trace minerals like iodine that support your thyroid.

If it is menopause, there are natural remedies- some really promising ones from Maca, an ancient and traditionally used herb for women's issues, and others like black cohosh and wild yam that have relieved millions of women throughout history. Hysterectomies are generally only necessary 5% of the time they are given- most basically say "My body doesn't work right or I don't like the way it works so I will just cut out what I don't like instead of dealing with it in a way that is kind and nurturing to my body", not "I have a serious problem and there is no better way to cure it". Imagine if we applied that philosophy to other body parts, like a nose or ear? For some reason we think we don't need our reproductive organs if we don't plan to use them for reproduction, but what we fail to take into perspective is that they are not merely reproductive organs, but hormonal centers, and we cannot hope to ever truly have hormonal health without all of our body intact. I know many women who suffer greatly after having hysterectomies, sometimes not until 10 years down the road, but they have a huge problem- they can't just use natural remedies to put them back into proper balance like an intact woman, because parts are missing that they can never put back together.

I urge you to take charge of your health and listen to your body, and make the commitment to yourself to solve your health issues in the most loving, kind way you can because you deserve it!

Hi there,
I was 16 when I was diagnosed with Thyroid issues. I was on the high end at first so I had all of the symptoms, hot flashes weight gain/loss, swollen gland (in my neck.) I went through treatment at 17 and have been on the low side. I've had to take a pill everyday since this whole thing started. I was very stubborn about having to take this medication for the rest of my life so unfortunely i've had my dosage changed a million times since it started. I am now 26 and 35 weeks pregnant and since i found out i was pregnant i've taken that pill everyday because it wasn't just about me anymore.

having thyroid problems is not the end of the world, once they get your levels stablized, the symptoms you are feeling will go down or away. the worst part is having to take a pill the rest of your life! but there are worse things that can happen than that. good luck!

Well, I've never encountered a thyroid problem so I wouldn't know what the symptoms are. However, I was 43 when I started going thru menopause. (Still feeling like I got cheated there, lol). As to either of the rememdies you mention above. Wouldn't know how to advise you. I rode it out. The worse of it for me were the night sweats. Just me the B-complex's and an the air conditioner all year round. But thats just me. Didn't want the hormones, and never consider hysterectomy.

HI!!! I was only 21 when I started having hot flashes and night sweats. Doctor after doctor told me there was nothing wrong and I was to young for menopause. It never was figured out and I am now Mom to two beautiful daughters. I now however developed a thyroid problem and yes I will be on meds the rest of my life most likely. My thyroid doesn't work and the medication works wonders. I gained 30 pounds in 1 month and was always tired. I would fall asleep playing with my 6 month old and she was a good sleeper so I couldn't blame it on lack of sleep. Wait for your test results and see what that brings. I was never so relieved to know that I had something wrong that could be fixed so easily. As for a hysterectomy talk to your doctor but be aware that if you do that there are a ton of other things you will have to be aware of and medication will be a part of the rest of your life to maintain your hormone levels, bone density and others. That is a radical step that you need to research VERY CAREFULLY and make a informed decision with your husband (it will affect things in the bedroom TOO!) If it is a thyroid problem long term meds are not a major worry! I don't take any medication unless it is a must! I don't do antibiodics or pain medication even if I can get away with it so when I chose to take the "syntroid" for my hypothyroidism it was with a lot of research and doctor visits. I agread to try it and have been on it for a year now. It is the best thing I do for myself every morning and wihout it I would have other major health issues. Good Luck!!! A.

You could come up with all kinds of scenarios in your head....you should definitely wait to get your bloodwork back and talk to the Dr. before you start thinking about what you may or may not have to do. It might be something that's easily resolved so don't work yourself up over it!! Good Luck!!

Hi,

Why would you want to be so severe on either part? It could be one or both problems. Thyroid will make your hormones go off , but once properly medicated it should even out if it is a thyroid problem. Most problems are for life , and you would always have to take medicine. Unless just a small subclinical, some herbs like selenium, kelp would help. As for hormones, I use a product from vital nutrients call pms support takes all that away, or you may need a bit of progesterone cream, your gyn can figure that out, or birth control pills. You are a bit young to suffer, plus your bones could end up being afflicted as well as things like cholesterol without good hormone production. Why would you want to have a hysterectomy?

Hope this helps
C.

First of all, don't get a hysterectomy. That is for when there is something wrong with your uterus, etc. not for menopause. It may very likely be earily meopause. I have a friend who went through it at 38 years old, another one went through it at 41 and I went through it at 43 years old. Currently I am 49 years old. I am taking Effexor anti-depressent drug instead of hormone replacement in order to help with the new phase in my life. For me I have done great with that. I highly recommend against hormone replacement for it is not safe and may cause cancer. Your blood work should show if your estogen levels are low and thus going through menopause. Good luck and be patient; it is a long ride.

Before I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid, I too would get very tired at odd hours of the day and always be very cold. My doctor gave me a prescription for the lowest dosage of levoxyl (thyroid drug) and then sent me for blood work to see if this dosage leveled off my thyroid level. It did. So I was on the lowest dosage of levoxyl for about 1.5 - 2 years. Within that time I got pregnant. My doctor thought that she was going to have to increase my medication dosage due to my pregnancy, but luckily my levels remained the same throughout my entire term. After I delivered my baby, I asked my doctor if we could try weaning me off the meds (since I don’t like the thought of having to take meds indefinitely), luckily she agreed. I’ve been off my meds for about 4 months now and my thyroid level is fine. So your thyroid level will determine what dosage medication you will need and perhaps if it’s low enough, you may be able to get off the meds within time. The human body is a strange thing. I guess my body just needed a little boost. Good luck with everything.

As a women's health care nurse practitioner, let me just clarify for everyone here that a hysterectomy is NEVER used as a treatment for menopausal symptoms. Rather, having a hysterectomy done can CAUSE menopausal symptoms to either start or to worsesn. If you have your ovaries removed along with your uterus, then the onset and severity of the menopausal symptoms can be even worse.

Also, let me just clarify that there is no blood test that can tell us exactly where a woman is in the process of perimenopause. "Perimenopause" is defined as the several years during which a woman's body transitions between reproductive capability and actual menopause. This can be a different amount of time for each woman. The definition of menopause is going one complete year without any menstruation (or any bleeding). (Notice there is no blood test result included in that definition.) Sometimes an FSH level (follicle stimulating hormone) is checked to see if a woman is menopausal: if she is menopausal, the levelswill be significantly elevated. It is usually recommended to check it twice, at least a few weeks apart, to verify. This is sometimes used when a woman's bleeding patterns are strange, to help differentiate abnormal from normal. Estrogen levels can also be used as an adjunct, but are not super accurate since the range of normal is very wide and can flucutate widely even in the same woman.

It is not unusual for women to have a mixture of symptoms during perimenopause, and they can often mimic other disease processes (ie thyroid disease, depression, anxiety disorder, diabetes). The most important thing is to get a complete physicial exam, appropriate labwork, and then to discuss everything with a provider you trust. Both thyroid disease and symptomatic perimenopause are manageable issues--just educate yourself and make the decision that works best for you. Some websites you might consider:

www.acog.org (American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists)
www.mymidwife.org (American College of Nurse-Midwives)
www.webmd.com

Best of luck.

I went into early memopause at age 40....I not only felt fatigued but I suffered not only feeling cold but also hot flashes....if I wasn't in one state, I was in the other 24/7. My doctor insisted on hormone medication....so I did some serious reading about the medication and due to the many serious side effects, decided to try all Natural Herbs instead....it worked and I never got my period again.....however, since the early memopause began, my cholesterol level runs high and diet doesn't help at all. My doctors tell me this happens to many women who suffer with early memopause. So you might want to be tested for that too.

My mother many years ago after I was born had a hysterectomy...she healed and went right into menopause. She was in her 30's.
Avoid surgery if you don't need it...

Everyone is different so wait for your test results...I know nothing about thyoid problems.

Start by asking your mother if she has any history of Thyroid Disease in her family. It is hereditary.
Second, dont just see a GP, go to an Endocronologist.
I have an underactive/hypo thyroid. My mother and sister have it as well. It is a very tricky disease, but if it is indeed the problem that you are having, it is worth treating and could be as simple as taking synthroid daily. That small little pill makes a big difference in my life and would provide you with great relief even with symptoms you didnt realize were connected.
Good Luck

I have thyroid disease and I don't remember being thirsty or the hot flashes. You will feel very tired. I did develope allergies at the time that I was diagnosed. Do you have a thick neck? Feel around and if you feel a lump on the right side of your neck then it is probably your thyroid. If it is thyroid disease you will have to take medication for the rest of your life. It's not as bad as you think. It's just a small pill kind of the size of birth control. Thyroid disease is becoming more and more common these days. It's not a big deal if you get it taken care of now. If you let it go then there could be problems. I am both hypo and hyper so some days I have more energy then I know what to do with and other days I can't move. If it is thyroid you have to go for blood work every 6 months. They will also send you for a sonogram of your neck to make sure there are no goiders. Thats just small lumps on your thryoid. My medication made mine get smaller. Take your time and do some research if thats what your results come out to be. Don't be afraid to ask questions. No question is dumb. Your life will not change if diagnosed with it. You can live a normal life. I know that I panicked when I was diagnosed and now I don't even think about it. I just take one pill in the morning and go on with my daily activities. Also thryoid disease is heriditary. Does anyone in your family have it? Ask around. I got mine from my grandmother who also has it. My younger cousin also developed it. So don't panick. Listen to everything that the doctor tells you. I have a 3 month old daughter and I could not breastfeed cause there is a chance that the medication could go into the milk. I could not take that chance. Now because I have it my daughter will have to be tested when she gets older. I have been on the same dosage of meds for the last 9 years. There has been no changes. Read up on both and right down your questions. This way when you get the results which every one it may be you will be prepared to ask the doctor. I hope that this has helped. Take care and either way things will be fine. Good luck!

Hi Maria, Your symptoms could be a little of both. Why don't you check with your Doctor? I have been through Menopause/ with hormones and I also take thyroid meds. I don't think you could have a hysterectomy unless you had big problems and you would still go through menopause. good luck! Mary

M.,

I think it is a little too early for menopause but check your family history and find out what age your Mom started if you are able. Adding soy to your diet will help with the symptoms if it is menopause. I know of a good vitamin supplement if you are interested. Send me an mail. Good luck.

Maria,
I agree with many of the responses you have received so far. Don’t make a decision yet about your treatment until you know what is causing your symptoms. Be sure you see a specialist (they have the most up-to-date info about drugs and other options) for whatever it is that is wrong (i.e. endocrinologist for thyroid or diabetes, gynecologist for menopause) and let them give you your options with the ramifications for all of them. If you are in menopause you need not get a hysterectomy. I agree that this is very drastic and should only be used if you have a serious issue like uterine cancer or another disease that is not just chronic. Chronic diseases like diabetes, thyroid disease and you might even include menopause (although this is not a disease per say but it has chronic symptoms that can be treated) can be treated with alternative methods or with drugs prescribed by your physician.

First get diagnosed for what is really ailing you, don't rule out checking your A1C (blood sugar count over several months)
http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/a1c-test.jsp . This is used to diagnosis diabetes.

I have both thyroid disease and diabetes and take meds for both. I have been on Synthroid for nearly 30 years (varying doses) with no noticeable affects except I feel better. Just be sure to take the Synthroid either 1 hour before eating or 2 hours after. I take synthroid in the morning as soon as I wake up and don’t have breakfast for an hour. Luckily my sugar level is usually regulated in the morning so I can wait to eat. I take Januvia for diabetes and try to keep my diet sound, test my blood sugar twice a day and exercise as much as I can. I have had good results with both medications. My endocrinologist takes care of both my problems and is very knowledgeable about new treatments.

I have to tell you I was really very frightened with both these diagnoses. I was petrified with the diabetes – but have found it is manageable if you take care and follow the prescribed programs they should give you.

So don’t stress out until you really know what it is and explore all your options and their ramifications for treating it. Don’t forget alternative medicine also.

Good luck – hoped this helped.
Z.

Its memopause doesnt matter that u are only 41 it can go on for a long time. But get blood work done anyway to be sure.

It could be thyroid. The symptons sounds about right. Add to it dry skin, hair falling out abit more than normal and being cold can also be signs. I am not sire about the night sweats. I am a 35 yr first time Mom of a 7wk old and found out that I had Hashimoto's which is hypothyroid and I am now on Levoxyl for probably the rest of my life as the thyroid does not regenerate. The meds acutally allow me and my husband to conceive without it my hormones would never of allowed me to either get pregnant or carry to term. Good Luck the blood work should show you the ansewr as they should be checking your TSH and T4 levels. FYI- My little girl could have been born with the thryoid condition as well as she is being checked monthly as her levels were super high at birth. If you are in the Ridgewood, NJ area - I highly reccomend Dr. Jack Tohme - endocrinologist if you need a specialist.

I have thyroid disease and my main symptom was irregular periods, weight gain and fatigue. I did not have any hot flashes. I would get tested the thyroid regulates you quite a bit. IF you are hypothyroid (underactive) you will probably get put on synthroid which has virtually no side effects and can make you feel a lot better.

I think your doctor can also test you to see if your are in perimenopause. that can last years. I don't think you need to get a hysterectomy.

Good luck!

Jenn Smith
www.saferisbetter.com/jennsmith34
www.stayinhomeandlovinit.com/jennsmith34

Being thirsty all of the time sounds like diabetes rather than menopause or thyroid. Make sure they check your sugar levels.

Hi, M.,

I was diagnosed with hyperthyroidsm when I was in my early 30's. I lost a lot of weight. Are you losing weight(hyper) or are you gaining weight(hypo)? Are your hands shaking? I was fortunate to have a very good doctor(he passed away,though) who knew right away what was wrong with me just by looking at me and by listening to some of my symptoms. Blood tests confirmed it. Since I was still at childbearing age at that time, I was given medication(tapazole), that's the first option. I took it for less than 3 months, my body responded to the medication. I am now in my 50's, still thyroid disease free.
I think you are still too young to be menopausal. Have you seen your OB/GYN?
You'll be fine. Take care.

L. P. - School Counselor, mother to 2 grown-up kids.

A hysterectomy would just definitely put you into menopause, right? I'm considering having one, but only because I can't stand the thought of another 20 years with the horrendous periods I have. I am wishing for menopause! Sounds like you need to see a doc and there is nothing any of us can really do to help you because it all depends on what is going on with you. I hope you find an answer because it is awful to have something wrong and not know what it is.

Well, I am hypothyroid - probably was for most of my life but was not diagnosed until nearly 25. I have been taking meds for it since then - am now just turned 49. I started with synthroid and am now on levoxyl...both are simply thyroid hormones. The dosages have changed over the years from .5 to 1.75 which is a really big difference but did not happen steadily in either direction - lots of flip flop. What I have found in terms of now having night sweats and being in that peri-menopause stage is that bloodtests for that unless they are done several times over a particular period and analyzed are really useless in letting you know if it is peri-menopause etc. But, after ending up having EKGs, and all sorts of other tests for the various symptoms I was having when I was told from one blood test and my age (41 at the time) that I was too young is that it all turned out to be from perimenopause and that taking a low dose birth control pill has been the thing that has helped it. I have not had a regular period in years...have them all them time...but what regular is has changed. Until this cycle I was spotting about 3 of 4 weeks nearly every month. Quite an annoyance to say the least. I switched against the advice of my original OB/GYN to a generic BC pill...and this month, if I get through the next week without bleeding I will probably have the first normal cycle I have had since 4/2000. My advice is not necessarily to go on the pill or switch to a generic but to keep your options open, be firm with your dr about how you feel and what you are experiencing. Remember, she/he is trained but it is your body so who really knows it best? I also take black cohosh and ginger as well as fish oils. Don't let the symptoms get you down and be sure to pay attention to how you are feeling as you try different things...and give everything a few months for changes to take place - whether it is thyroid or menopause its all about hormones...

Before I got pregnant with my daughter, I had a lot of difficulty, I'm 33. She's 18 months now. We started trying when I was 30. My periods be came weird. I'd start spotting early, have a 2 day flow, and then spot more. I had night sweats. When charting my temps, they were all over the place (indicator that your hormones are not in balance). I saw a fertility specialist and turns out my FSH was high. That is an indicator or menopause, and I have what is called premature ovulatory failure. Sucks for me. I saw an acupuncturist to help stablize my hormones, which made me more responsive to the fertility drugs. 2 cycles later, I was pregnant. I still see my acupuncturist now, it really helps me a lot. Personally, I wouldn't do either of the 2 options you outlined. I'm not into hormone supplement, and a hysterectomy seems sort of radical. But, you have to do what feels right for you! Get your test results first and take it from there.