HypO-Thyroidism and PCOS?

CountryMom · 09-28-2007, 11:57 AM

Hi Everyone,

I am concerned, and want to talk, vent, hear similar stories.

I went in to my doctor, a couple weeks ago, and just got my blood results back. I knew I had PCOS, that is nothing new. He gave me Glucophage to start, but I wanted to wait, until my blood results came back.

Well my blood tests came back like this: My triglycerides, cholesterol, and insulin levels were all in "excellent range". Everything else was in "normal for me range" - EXCEPT my TSH Levels. They were highly elevated, doctor called it "hypothyroidism", and is calling me in a prescribtion for Synthroid.

I am concerned as to what exactly that is. I know it means that your thyroid is underactive. But, is it curable, fixable, is it fatal?

Does anyone else have both hypo and pcos?

Another question is, if you DO. Do you take Glucophage AND Synthroid?

Seems, I read somewhere, that you should not take the 2 together.

Anyway, Thanks for reading!

Danger Kitty · 09-28-2007, 12:59 PM

I've been on both met and synthroid for some time. Never had any problems taking the two together. Thing is, both PCOS and thyroid disorders (hypo and hyper) are endocrine issues, so it's not surprising to see people with both. There's quite a few of us here being treated for both. It's also quite common to see people with one misdiagnosed as having the other.

Untreated thyroid issues can become quite concerning, but in the case of hypothyroidism (symptoms typically include weight gain, hair loss, constantly cold, fatigue, irregular or missing periods, etc. - see? a lot of the same symptoms as PCOS), the use of synthroid or armour or something similar will give your body what it should be producing, but is not.

Congrats on the good news on the other items.

KatCarney · 09-28-2007, 03:28 PM

See here: http://www.soulcysters.net/hypothyroid/

CRISTINACEC · 09-28-2007, 04:40 PM

Yep I have both and are on boths meds since nov 04. Its great that your triglycerides, cholesterol, and insulin levels are normal. Mine were creaping up when I was diagn. Three years later they are just about perfect. I take my synthroid first thing in the monring and I take my Glucophage(metformin) extended release at night before I go to bed.

lovemychris · 09-28-2007, 06:56 PM

Yep, I too have both. If you're having typical hypothyroidism symptoms, you should start feeling much better a few weeks after starting meds for it. I take Synthroid in the am, and Met ER in the pm. Synthroid (or any other levothyroxine) should not be taken with food or any other meds/vitamins. Water only.

Your doctor should want to test your levels again in about 6-8 weeks to make sure your TSH is going down. Also, you may want to have your thyroid antibodies checked (blood work) to help determine the cause of the thyroid disorder. It's probably Hashimoto's which is an auto-immune disorder (and the most common in hypo). You'll see a lot of cysters here with both PCOS and thyroid problems.

autumnleaves · 09-28-2007, 10:27 PM

Have both. Was on both meds. Now that I am pregnant I am on insulin instead of the met but will go back on the met eventually.

CountryMom · 09-29-2007, 10:42 AM

Thank you guys for sharing!!

I yearn for the day, where I can stop taking all medicine. That will be a good day

Anyway, Thanks again for sharing your similar stories!

mommavia · 10-01-2007, 06:46 PM

You probably won't ever stop taking the Synthroid. When you are hypo, it is because you thyroid gland is, well, broken...it doesn't make enough thyroid hormone for your body. This isn't something that is self-repairing...but is treatable! Just make sure to keep up with having your thyroid levels checked at least once a year to make sure your Synthroid is at the right dose...especially during pregnancy.

Good luck!
Cynthia