Absence of menstruation due to thyroid medication
December 8, 2011 | 20,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Ralf Berg
Good morning!
I have been taking Thyronajod 50 for about 3 months now. It was recommended to me due to my lack of energy and constant fatigue. Since starting the medication, I have been feeling significantly better physically. However, I have not had my period since starting the medication. At the beginning, I experienced hot flashes and night sweats, but these symptoms have now completely disappeared. Before starting the medication, my menstrual cycle was usually around 25 days and my periods were always very heavy. My thyroid values were within the normal range before starting the medication, but TSH was borderline high and FT3, FT4 were borderline low. Gynecologically, everything seems to be fine and my gynecologist said that it is completely normal for a cycle to be missed occasionally. However, it has been several cycles now and I am wondering if this medication has caused me to enter menopause prematurely (I am almost 43)...
Thank you for your response!
Lynn
Good morning esteemed questioner,
your reported thyroid values suggested that you were on the border of hypothyroidism. In general, taking Thyronajod does not lead to the absence of menstruation, rather it aims to prevent further decrease in thyroid values which could eventually lead to the absence of menstruation. With Thyronajod, we counteract this. First, after about 5-6 weeks of starting thyroid medication, you should have your values (TSH ft3/4) checked to see if they are now at the desired level. It could also be that you simply need a higher substitution dose. (Tablets are increased up to 200/day if necessary) Also, your doctor chose a combination preparation for you. Unlike L-Thyroxine, Thyronajod contains not only thyroid hormone but also iodine, which the thyroid gland itself still needs to metabolize into thyroid hormones. If this is no longer sufficient, a switch to a pure thyroid hormone preparation may be necessary. In any case, long-term thyroid substitution should be medically supervised and monitored. General practitioners/internists have the most experience in this area. Occasionally, a radiologist may also be involved to monitor the effect of thyroid medications through ultrasound or thyroid scintigraphy. Especially in the initial phase, the medication dose may need to be adjusted.
Of course, at your age, it may also be the onset of menopause. There is basically nothing that can be done against that. But this possibility should only be considered once you are optimally adjusted in terms of thyroid hormones.
In summary, thyroid substitution does not usually lead to the absence of menstruation. However, if it is underdosed, menstrual irregularities can occur, similar to untreated hypothyroidism, and in extreme cases, menstruation may cease. Therefore, it is important to have your thyroid values checked at the beginning of substitution so that optimal adjustment can be made. If everything is okay, many signs point to the onset of menopause for you.
I hope my answer could help you.
With best regards, Dr. R. Berg
