Complicated Question - Hypothroid, Periods, and Husbands Vascetomy

UGH!! Thyroid problems are the WORST! I'm hypo too and it's been a beating, with wight gain, fatigue, emotional issues, medication, etc. I also recommend an endocrinologist and TRY to find one who will treat your SYMPTOMS and not just go by lab numbers. Just because everything LOOKS fine on paper doesn't mean you ARE fine. Some doctors realize that and others don't seem to care. Also, the synthroid does help T4 but not T3, some people's body aren't able to convert like they're supposed to and they NEED T3. I was recently given a Rx for Cytomel (T3) in addition to my Synthroid and I immediately started feeling better (still trying to lose weight though). There's also natural hormones/meds like Armour Thyroid that may work better than the synthetic for you but again, you have to find a dr. who will prescribe those. I know that thyroid controls almost everything in your body and I wouldn't doubt it causing your periods to go hay-wire but who knows. I'd wait a day or two and take another test. Try not to stress too much and if you're still feeling out of wack next week, call your doctor and ask for a referral to an endocrinologist. Best of luck to you!!

I'm going on 15 years with it now. I lose a ton of hair every time I take a shower, brush/comb my hair, and even just waking up in the morning there's a ton of hair on my pillow. The good thing for me is I inherited my dads very thick hair, so it's going to be years before I start showing thin spots.

My periods have really changed from one extreme to the next. Used to be very heavy when I first got it. Now I have it 2 days, totally quit for the 3rd and back to it for another 3.

Not sure how long you've had it, but one thing I want to warn you about is as time goes by, you'll get very sore. It's hard to tell if it's the bone or the muscle's but this is very common. I'm in pain most days. Maybe compares to someone who has fibromayalga??? I wish the Dr.'s had told me what to expect when I first got it. Would have saved me countless trips to the Dr.
A book that I highly reccomend is "Living well with hypothyrodism" by Mary Shamon. You will learn so much. She has another book out too but I haven't read that one yet.

If you are still tired, and you are losing hair, I'd say your thyroid issues are under treated regardless of what the tests say. I was diagnosed hypothyroid at 32 (I'm 48 now). I was on Synthroid for many years, but I still had symptoms. (And if you are hypothyroid, you are on medication for the rest of your life.) For all this time, my doctor was keeping me at the higher range of normal. I told her the lower range of normal is just as valid a place to try for, and we did. I have a great doctor and about 5 years ago I talked to her about trying Armour Thyroid. It has both T4 and T3 in it where Synthroid has only T4. It seems some people do not convert T4 to T3 very well (as most people do) and taking a medication which has both can be much more effective than taking T4 alone. Iodine can't hurt, but if you are not making the conversion, it won't help. For testing, they need to measure not only the TSH, but also the free T4 and free T3. Beyond that, my doctor is very good with asking all the questions and prescribing based a bit on how I'm feeling. My optimal dosage is where the test numbers would suggest I'm slightly on the hyper side - but that's where I feel the best. And everyone s optimal dosage is different. If you are feeling anxious and are having heart palpitations, sleeping poorly, you are adjusted too high. If you are feeling slugish, cold, hair falling out, skin and nails growing poorly, losing your eye brows, odds are you are adjusted too low. It can be hard to find a doctor who is willing to listen to you and work with you and not just go by the numbers.
Now, thyroid issues aside, there is so much that can mess with your periods that are not pregnancy related. Stress, dieting, weight gains and losses, hormone fluctuations, peri menopause (not likely at 29, but not impossible either). The list goes on and on. My periods use to run like clockwork, but these days the range can be anywhere from 2 weeks to 43 days. Your ob/gyn should be able to help figure out what is changing. You can probably wait till your annual exam.

http://thyroid.about.com

I suggest that part of the reason you are so uncomfortable is caused by how stressed you're feeling on top of not having much energy anyway. It's highly unlikely that you're pregnant. I frequently had a brown, dried blood looking discharge, and cramps before my period started but then I was never regular either. I think I've heard that thyroid problems can cause irregular periods.

I also suggest that you make an appointment with a specialist regarding your thyroid. You're right there is a wide range of normal and there are nuances to thyroid hormones. The specialist would be an endocrinologist. He will be able to look at a broader range of possibilities than your primary care doctor can see. Depending on your insurance you may have to get a referral from your primary care doctor.

I also agree with the suggestions the dietitian made. Our diets can seriously affect many aspects of our health.

get a referral to a endocrinologist (thyroid specialist) I have the opposite (hyper.) I had the iodine treatment done 3 years ago, still have issues with heavy bleeding, hair-loss (I am losing weight too!) but I am back to normal otherwise. I am in the 20% that will not need medication anymore.