Hi all- looking for some help or guidance here with an odd situation. I’d be interested/really grateful for others to comment and in seeing what others recommend.
Im 46, and was started on thyroid meds for fertility reasons last year for 4 months. Previously did not have any noticeable symptoms of hypothyroidism, would be termed as subclinical as my tsh on the higher end of the normal range but not a good range for fertility treatments. As I started coming off the meds, I got hit with a host of odd symptoms. Extreme fatigue, (even though I sleep through the night), weird feeling of pressure on top of my head/bridge of nose (almost feels like a cold coming on but nothing materializes); feeling off balance/faint even if I’ve eaten. Only classic peri symptoms I have are low libido and significant hair shed. No hot flashes or night sweats or GSM symptoms. This is a constant feeling, so it’s not linked to any cycle changes or blood pressure issues, and my period is regular and is not heavy. Last thyroid test my tsh was within the normal range. Ferritin is low, in the double digits, but I don’t have anemia. Apparently my hormone panel and other blood tests are all normal, but I know testing in perimenopause is not helpful.
I’m in Canada and did reach out to a nurse practitioner to discuss HRT or whether I should start thyroid meds again. She didn’t say much about my ferritin level. She gave me two options but said that because my symptoms are vague, it may be trial and error: testosterone or estrogen/progesterone.
I’m very scared to start the HRT because I fear it will make my fatigue symptoms worse- esp the progesterone, since I am sleeping through the night. Should I have gone the testosterone route? Or asks to restart thyroid meds again, since that’s when it feels like this initially started? Or just focus on raising my iron? My symptoms don’t feel entirely low ferritin related though. I’ve seen an ENT and ruled out out inner ear issues, I don’t have any balance issues and workout regularly. I’ve also done an MRI and ruled out anything serious.
Help…I really don’t know what to do next but I just don’t want to make things worse.