Low Thyroid (Hypothyroid) Premenstrual Symptoms
If a woman has poor thyroid function, such as low grade hypothyroidism (“subclinical hypothyroidism”), then her PMS/PMDD symptoms will often be worse than if she had normal thyroid function. This is not to say that low thyroid function causes PMS/PMDD, but that the underlying PMS/PMDD symptoms will be worse in women with low thyroid function.
While an occasional correlation between PMS/PMDD and low thyroid function has been documented in the medical literature [1], the correlation has also been dismissed in the literature [2]. However, routine thyroid screening should not be ruled out, as hypothyroidism has occasionally been found to co-exist with dysmenorrhea [3].
But even though low thyroid function has not been proven to be a cause PMS / PMDD, it is definitely a hormonal dysfunction that must be tested in all women experiencing PMS/PMDD, based on a consensus of medical research [4-18] One researcher used the term “relative hypothyroidism” as a vulnerability trait (predisposition) to have premenstrual symptoms [12].
So the best answer to questions about low thyroid function and its relationship to PMS/PMDD is to have the thyroid hormones tested. When testing for thyroid function, it is important to measure the actual thyroid hormones (free T3 & free T4), and not just TSH. If there is low thyroid function, consider using ThyroMend™ to improve your thyroid health.
Even if thyroid hormone levels are “in the normal range”, there can still be poor thyroid hormone function that can determined based on analysis if symptoms and risk factors. The Hypothyroid Risk Questionnaire™ can be used to reveal likelihood of hypothyroidism. If there are many symptoms and risks, then the questionnaire can be used to decide if ThyroMend™ should be used – even if lab tests are “normal”.
Consider ThyroMend™ if you there are many symptoms of low thyroid function, which may include fatigue or tired; exhausted; difficulty doing everyday activities; everything takes longer to do; low body temperature; weight gain; cannot lose weight with diet & exercise; difficulty remembering; difficulty concentrating; slow or unclear thinking; difficulty learning something new; feeling depressed; feeling discouraged; moody & irritable; decreased motivation; low sex drive; decreased sexual activity; changes in sleep; outer eyebrow thinning; hair is coarse and dry; skin is coarse, dry or scaly; itchy skin; sensitive to cold, cold intolerance; cold hands & feet; decreased sweating; slow pulse; low blood pressure; dizziness or poor balance; feel lightheaded; less than 1 BM daily; constipation, straining ; fluid retention; puffy hands; puffy feet ; puffy face; bags under eyes; pasty, puffy or pale skin; yellow palms & soles; enlarged tongue; teeth imprints on tongue; thinning eyelashes; recurring infections; nasal congestion; hand & feet numbness; change in voice; joint stiffness & pain; muscle aches; muscle weakness; hearing problems; recurrent headaches.
To learn more about low thyroid, study the Thyroid Health section of this website.
Having discussed the possible relationship between thyroid function and premenstrual symptoms, the next article will discuss the possible relationship between blood sugar and premenstrual symptoms.
References;
[1] Schmidt PJ, Rosenfeld D, Muller KL, Grover GN, Rubinow DR. A case of autoimmune thyroiditis presenting as menstrual related mood disorder. J Clin Psychiatry. 1990 Oct;51(10):434-6.
[2] Korzekwa MI, Lamont JA, Steiner M. Late luteal phase dysphoric disorder and the thyroid axis revisited. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1996 Jun;81(6):2280-4.
[3] Hargrove JT, Abraham GE. The ubiquitousness of premenstrual tension in gynecologic practice. J Reprod Med. 1983 Jul;28(7):435-7.
[4] Vaidya B. Management of hypothyroidism in pregnancy: we must do better. Clin Endocrinol (Oxf). 2013 Mar;78(3):342-3. PMID: 22950517.
[5] Cornelli U, Belcaro G, Ledda A, Feragalli B. Activity of some physiological modulators in reducing the side effects of levothyroxine in patients suffering from primary hypothyroidism. Panminerva Med. 2011 Sep;53(3 Suppl 1):99-103. PMID: 22108485.
[6] Vaidya B, Hubalewska-Dydejczyk A, Laurberg P, Negro R, Vermiglio F, Poppe K. Treatment and screening of hypothyroidism in pregnancy: results of a European survey. Eur J Endocrinol. 2012 Jan;166(1):49-54. PMID: 22023792.
[7] Saadia Z, Alzolibani AA, Al Robaee A, Al Shobaili HA, Settin AA. Cutaneous Manifestations of Hypothyroidism amongst Gynecological consultations. Int J Health Sci (Qassim). 2010 Nov;4(2):168-77. PMID: 21475555.
[8] Vaidya B, Pearce SH. Management of hypothyroidism in adults. BMJ. 2008 Jul 28;337:a801. PMID: 18662921.
[9] Vaidya B, Anthony S, Bilous M, Shields B, Drury J, Hutchison S, Bilous R. Detection of thyroid dysfunction in early pregnancy: Universal screening or targeted high-risk case finding? J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 2007 Jan;92(1):203-7. PMID: 17032713.
[10] Ling FW. Recognizing and treating premenstrual dysphoric disorder in the obstetric, gynecologic, and primary care practices. J Clin Psychiatry. 2000;61 Suppl 12:9-16. PMID: 11041379.
[11] Moline ML, Zendell SM. Evaluating and managing premenstrual syndrome. Medscape Womens Health. 2000 Mar;5(2):1. PMID: 10792850.
[12] Halbreich U. Premenstrual dysphoric disorders: a diversified cluster of vulnerability traits to depression. Acta Psychiatr Scand. 1997 Mar;95(3):169-76. PMID: 9111848.
[13] Schmidt PJ, Grover GN, Roy-Byrne PP, Rubinow DR. Thyroid function in women with premenstrual syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1993 Mar;76(3):671-4. PMID: 8445024.
[14] Nikolai TF, Mulligan GM, Gribble RK, Harkins PG, Meier PR, Roberts RC. Thyroid function and treatment in premenstrual syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1990 Apr;70(4):1108-13. PMID: 2108182.
[15] Casper RF, Patel-Christopher A, Powell AM. Thyrotropin and prolactin responses to thyrotropin-releasing hormone in premenstrual syndrome. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1989 Mar;68(3):608-12. PMID: 2493039.
[16] Simpson LO. The etiopathogenesis of premenstrual syndrome as a consequence of altered blood rheology: a new hypothesis. Med Hypotheses. 1988 Apr;25(4):189-95. PMID: 3367811.
[17] Sugie H, Sugie Y, Igarashi Y. [Biochemical effects of thyroid hormones on the developing rat brain; analysis of nucleic acids and protein synthesis using a cell free system]. Nihon Naibunpi Gakkai Zasshi. 1987 Nov 20;63(11):1309-17. PMID: 3443208.
[18] Hagino N. Hypothalamic responsiveness to oestrogen in hypothyroid rats. Acta Biol Acad Sci Hung. 1975;26(1-2):85-8. PMID: 1220492.