Heavier periods?

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-27-1998
Heavier periods?
2
Mon, 02-13-2006 - 10:40am

Hi all - I think I may have asked a question here about 2 yrs ago when I was experiencing cold intolerance and fatigue. At that time, the doc did run a blood test and everything was normal.

In the past year my periods have gotten much heavier - not every month - its more like every other month I have a huge flow and then a normal one in between. What is heavy for me is probably not that heavy for other people but having gone from hardly needing a tampon to soaking a super in an hour is a change for me. I had a gyn appt and she did not find anything abnormal and at the time I did not know that heavy periods were a symptom of hypothyroidism. I was more worried about endo or fibroids and kind of focused on that.

So I go to the doc tomorrow for what I think is a pinched nerve (at least some sort of nerve problem) in my shoulder and am wondering if I should ask her for another appt to discuss this.

I still have cold intolerance and now have what I would consider Raynaud's in my toes and sometimes my hands. It is 68 degrees in my house right now and I am freezing. Some days it takes a hot shower or bath to warm me up - simply using a blanket doesn't help as I feel like I am not generating enough heat. I did play racquetball (well tried - my first attempt) for about 25 minutes yesterday and was hot! afterwards for about 10 min until we went outside and I started to cool off. I don't have dry hair or skin problems. I mostly have the cold intolerance, heavy periods, some fatigue, depression (which I am going to ask for meds for tomorrow) related to a depo shot I got 2 years ago, and I have gained 5-10 lbs the past 6 mos but I think that is more to a decrease in activity (I used to go to the gym 4-5 days per wk and got down to 1-2 days per wk) and an increase in snacking. My waist went fromm 28 inches to 31 inches in 6 mos - yikes.

I guess what I really wanted to ask is when you started getting heavy periods due to hypothyroidism, how did they present?

Thanks.

baby growth



New and improved siggy coming soon (which could mean after Christmas)

iVillage Member
Registered: 10-27-2004
In reply to: lama26
Mon, 02-13-2006 - 3:07pm

Hi lama,


The best way to forget all your troubles is to wear tight shoes...
iVillage Member
Registered: 11-09-2001
In reply to: lama26
Wed, 02-15-2006 - 8:51pm

Hi - yes, absolutely talk to your doctor and see if you can get tested again. Those heacy periods are just awful - I had the same thing. On the first day or so, I could barely leave the house!! It's a very typical symptom, along with all your others. April is right about getting the right meds and allowing them time to work. Try to get a diagnosis this time - ask around for a good endo if you need one. You can also try www.thryoid-info.com for their top docs referral. There might be one in your area.

I had the worst problem with cold hands and still do sometimes. If you can find one of those herbal or corn kernal pillows in your area, you pop it in the microwave and it really does a great job of keeping your hands warm!! I still use mine just for that when I can't take it anymore, especially with the price of oil this year! You can find them at health food stores, gouret markets and even chiropractor's offices! Everyone in my family has one and we all sleep with ours, too. So does every in my chiro's office. LOL!

Anyway, let us know how you do at the doctor's. Really push for a good full panel of thyroid tests and a diagnosis. Cathy :)