Menopause Support Group

Menopause is the physiological cessation of menstrual cycles associated with advancing age. It normally occurs in women between the ages of 45 and 55, when the body begins to slow and stop the production of eggs, estrogen and progesterone production decreases, and menstruation diminishes, eventually stopping altogether.

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/ Menopause Support Group

menopause, bloat, and thyroid function

joyce3001
joyce3001
Have been wondering how many others are having problems with bloat and weight gain associated with menopause and if anyone has found any solutions. I have been doing some research on the subject and have found a lot of information suggesting that hypothyroidism may be part of the problem during menopause as most people experience some decline in thyroid function with aging. Many menopause symptoms are similar to hypothyroidism symptoms, not that I am discounting that any of this is not from female hormone fluctuation. In fact, most of the information says that all of our hormones need to be in balance including sex, adrenal, and thyroid.

I've decided I can't take this anymore so I'm going to see an endocrinologist. I'm nearly menopausal now with my last and only period last year being in July so I guess I'm nearly through the menopause part but I had some of these symptoms like depression and lack of concentration even before menopause which makes me wonder if that wasn't part of my problem all along. I will let you all know if it helps me, I wish I had done this years ago because unfortunately most doctors just want to put everyone on antidepressants instead of actually doing any work to solve the underlying problems.

Has anyone else had any of these thoughts or better yet had any experience with that type of treatment.
fighting4change
fighting4change
They actually prescribed thyroid meds for depression before SSRI's became so popular. Endocrinologists tend to treat pretty much by TSH alone. Integrative and functional medicine type doctors tend to be more apt to treat subclinical hypothyroidism. A couple of websites that may help are:
www.thyroid.about.com (this site also has a Top Docs Directory)
www.stopthethyroidmadness.com

Hope this helps!
deleted_user
deleted_user
The first thing my doctor did was to check my thyroid and increased my dose. She also checked my Vitamin D which was very low. She explained that it is linked to depression because many people dont get enough sunlight. So I'd have that checked as well. Im now on 50,000 IU once a week. I started out at 50,000 IU 2 x week and after 8 wks. she lowered the dose. I have it re-checked in March to make sure it is where it needs to be. She also checked my DHEA and Cortisol and I was low on both of those as well. Your adrenals pay a big part in menopase because they release cortisol under stress and if you are stressed in menopause (who isnt?) then your cortisol levels plummet. I found all of this out by going to a bio-identical hormone doctor who looks at the whole picture. Best Wishes! Hope you get some answers! Judy
nancy71611
nancy71611
They are similar. I have had hypothyroidism since my 20s. One doctor took me off my sunthhroid about four years ago. I ended up having thyroid failure and almost died; had I not gone to the hospital I could have. So it's critical to make sure your levels are ok. All interrelated I know. PMS,mesopause,clinical depression, alot of the same symptoms. I also found out I have a vitamin D deficiency, pernicious anemia......................alot of meds.. Just look for any helpp you can find; its a rougn time. xoxo
joyce3001
joyce3001
Thanks for responding, you all had great advice. Hope I can get my doctor to refer me as no endocrinologist in my area will take patients without referrals. I'll definitely check out those websites.
deleted_user
deleted_user
Yes, I have experienced bloating and weight gain, and I do feel it is hormonally induced -- interestingly, bloating is one of the common things women experience with PMS, another very hormonal time. Depression can definitely be a thyroid matter, but keep in mind that perimenopause can begin many years ahead of actual menopause, and that period of time is often when women first notice symptoms, such as depression. But oftentimes, when they go to a dr., they are diagnosed with depression and given an AD, while nothing is said to them about perimenopause and hormonal upheaval that could be the culprit. Hopefully you can get that referral to an endocrinologist, since he/she will probably check all hormone levels, vitamin levels, etc. to get an overall picture. I, too, was vitamin d deficient, and statistically, most people are. Please keep us posted as to how things go for you...
joyce3001
joyce3001
I've decided to go to body logic to get all my hormones checked instead of an endocrinologist which unfortunately won't be paid by my insurance. However, my recent research has suggested like most doctors you have to search around to find one that uses some of the newer technology and that could get just as expensive in the long run and take a lot of time so guess I'm going to try biodenticals. You would think doctors would have better treatments for us by now, especially when you see how many medications they have for male problems which are nothing compared to ours.
nancy71611
nancy71611
So true Joyce. I am on ADS and anti anxiety meds but my symotoms have gotten worse due to perimenopause. She doest take into consideratin my anemia or the hormones going crazy. I will be seeing her soon and hope she can give me some new meds that may help. I can't afford HRT and it didn't help my sister but actually made it worse for her.
Men don't know how lucky they are,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,and they wonder what's "wrong" with us. I wouldn't wish this insanity on anyone.