HRT - Hormone Replacement Therapy - Hormone Treatment

Rebecca Prescott asked:


The thyroid is a small but important gland that is located in the neck, and its function is to produce hormones that are controlled by the pituitary gland. TSH, or Thyroid Stimulating Hormone, is sent out by the pituitary gland and results in the production of thyroxine by the thyroid. Thyroxine affects a number of functions in the human body, and this includes moods, heart rate, body heat, metabolism, body heat, skin and hair growth, memory, energy, and periods.

Thyroid problems and HRT

There are a number of links when it comes to thyroid problem and HRT. Firstly, one thing to note is that some of the symptoms of thyroid problems can be very similar to those of menopause. This means that women of menopausal age that develop thyroid problems may not even realize anything is amiss, putting the symptoms down to menopause. These conditions can often come about at around the same time in a woman’s life, and therefore if your doctor does not suggest it, you may also want to ask for a thyroid function test if you go to see your doctor for menopausal symptoms. As many as 26% of women are diagnosed with low thyroid function around the time of menopause.

Another thing to note is that thyroid problems can be a result of the onset of the menopause. Dr Christiane Northrup cites the work of John R Lee MD when she writes that “there appears to be a cause-and-effect relationship between hypothyroidism, in which there are inadequate levels of thyroid hormone, and estrogen dominance.”

Estrogen needs to be balanced by appropriate levels of the hormone progesterone. If it isn’t, and estrogen levels are too high, it can block the effect of the thyroid hormones. This means that even if your body is producing enough thyroid hormones, they are not able to be effective, and symptoms of hypothyroidism can be experienced.

The problem with this scenario is that normal thyroid levels generally show up in a medical test, so it is difficult to diagnose. If a woman is estrogen dominant and then given more estrogen with HRT, this can make the thyroid problems worse.

In order to reduce the risk of thyroid problems or to help ease thyroid problems HRT patients should ensure that they have their thyroid function tested regularly, as well as her other hormone levels. This means at the start of HRT treatment and also in the event that you change your HRT or change the dosage that you are taking. And given that depression is associated with thyroid problems, if this is not helped, or becomes worse after taking HRT, then the wider hormonal picture really needs to be taken into account.

There are a number of thyroid function tests that can be carried out in order to try and monitor thyroid problems or function. Thyroid problems can include hypothyroidism, where the thyroid in under-active, and hyperthyroidism, where the thyroid is overactive. The symptoms of each of these thyroid conditions can vary.

With hypothyroidism the symptoms can include depression, weight gain, fatigue, sluggishness, itchy and dry skin, dry or thinning hair, muscle cramps, constipation, feeling cold, joint aches, facial swelling, mood swings, snoring, dizziness, light sensitivity, problems with periods, exhaustion, and forgetfulness.

The symptoms of an overactive thyroid, or hyperthyroidism, include irritability, nervousness, brittle hair and thinning skin, weakness in the upper arms and thighs, excessive perspiration, increased bowel movement, increased heart rate, shaking hands, lighter periods, weight loss, and fewer periods.

In order to try and avoid thyroid problems HRT patients should seek advice from their doctor with regards to regular testing whilst on HRT. And those that feel that they are experiencing the onset of the menopause should also speak to their doctor about thyroid testing to ensure that the symptoms are not getting confused and their thyroid problem does not go undetected.



Liam

Cathy Taylor asked:


Most women recognize that a hot flash is a sign of menopause, even if they aren’t sure what one feels like. But what about all of those other uncomfortable symptoms such as un expected migraines, or mood swings that cause you to weep uncontrollably at the site of a newborn baby? How can we be sure what we are experiencing is menopause, and what can we do to make ourselves more comfortable?

First of all, know that you are not alone.

Menopause currently affects more than 50 million women in the US. As a result, we are finding more and improved ways to cope with the numerous physical symptoms that can appear during the mid-life transition. This time can also come with a plethora of emotions we aren’t necessarily accustomed to dealing with. The good news is that when a woman enters the second half of her life, the change can be beautiful if we become aware of what is happening to us on a physical, mental and emotional level.

In some ways, menopause feels like a rush to the finish line which can be fun for some and too much pressure for others. It often comes at the same time we are facing huge life challenges such as an empty nest, losing loved ones, shifting marital roles, and/or taking care of elderly parents. Is it any wonder many of us find it overwhelming?

One thing is for certain, if you have any unfinished business that you have been sweeping under the carpet, it’s going to rear its head during menopause. As Dr. Christiane Northrup says in her book, The Wisdom of Menopause, “menopause puts your life under a microscope. It’s a time when we reflect on our life lived, and decide what we want to do with the rest of it. A time of getting to know you, all over again as well as of self care and healing.

Let’s address some of the changes your body might be going through and what can be done about them. The debate remains between traditional hormone replacement therapy (HRT) and the new bio-identical and alternative therapies. The intent here is to just lay out options so you can make an intelligent decision for yourself as well as review ways to find some practical help.

 

Menopause is a natural process in every woman’s life, but because of the way it is treated like an illness by some doctors, women often feel confused and devalued. On the other hand, many women find a renewed sense of vigor at menopause. This transition brings the chance to accomplish all of those things that we have put on the back burner. It can be a sweet time because women are much smarter at this stage of life and know how to relax and enjoy themselves better.

Being aware of the signs of menopause is crucial in being able to help yourself. Menopause is defined by our cycle’s cessation for at least 12 consecutive months. As a result, in a lot of cases, what women refer to as menopause is really perimenopause.

 

Perimenopause occurs as our reproductive function begins to wind down. It generally hits in the late 40s or early 50s and lasts for 2 to 4 years. During this time, our body makes less and less estrogen as we lose the ability to become pregnant. You may experience skipped periods or they could even stop for a while and then restart. You may have hot flashes, night sweats, anxiety, difficulty concentrating, weight gain and mood swings. You might begin having trouble sleeping. Vaginal dryness can start to play havoc with your sex life.

 

Remember, menopause symptoms are caused by an imbalance of female hormones. Symptoms can last a few months, while others may persist for years. Some women are bothered greatly by the symptoms of menopause, while others have very few complaints.

 

It’s important to note that natural menopause is different from what women who have surgery experience. Women who have had a hysterectomy can undergo what is labeled “surgical menopauseâ€? and the symptoms are experienced instantly post surgery. This type of induced menopause can also occur if the ovaries are damaged by chemotherapy or radiation therapy.

Here are some general survival tips that you can do right away that will make a significant difference in dealing with your menopause symptoms:

              

·         Make healthy food choices- eat lots of fruits and vegetables. Avoid fatty, fried voids and drink plenty of water.

 

·         Get 30 minutes of exercise every day it doesn’t have to be strenuous! Walking is perfect as are dancing, swimming or cycling.

·         Maintain a healthy weight range if you do these first two tips, you don’t have to worry about this one.

 

·         Keep magnesium handy some women find relief from headaches, palpitations and constipation by taking magnesium.

·         If you smoke, STOP! It’s never too late.

·         Avoid caffeine, alcohol and excess salt and sugar.

 

·         Find ways to reduce stress like getting plenty of sleep, keeping your sense of humor and learning how to pamper yourself (this can be the fun part of getting older).

          

Last but certainly not least, find a doctor that will work with you on whatever treatment you choose. Keep in mind that most western doctors, unless they specialize in endocrinology, did not spend a lot of time studying hormones. Nor can a man know what you are going through because he hasn’t been there. But many doctors are now learning more about integrative medicine and there are lists available of these practitioners across the US.

Some women still believe in and continue to take HRT. With the advent of the recent Women’s Health Initiative report that indicated women taking HRT suffered from more heart attacks, strokes and blood clots, you may want to seek out alternative treatments. Find a good news source to keep up to date on these research studies.

 

There are plenty of natural options that can soothe symptoms. Read up on bio-identical hormones. I have been able to balance out declining progesterone levels with an over-the-counter cream. Within days I was relieved of debilitating mood swings, irritability and the occasional hot flash. I also fight depression with 5HTP.

 

There are great forums on the internet where women talk about their issues and what they tried that did and didn’t work. Join an online discussion group so you don;t feel alone. With so many alternatives available to women today, there is no need for any of us to suffer through menopause.



Michael