Well I guess I will start the new board off. I started having hot flashes 24/7 about 6 months ago. They were really affecting my sleep. My Dr. put me on just progesterone (bio-identical) and that didn't do anything so then she put me on both estrogen and progesterone, again bio-identical made at a compounding pharmacy. For the first month, it was awesome. I had no hot-flashes and then boom, I had a period. Before being put on the hormones, I was still having periods every 3-4 months. After this last period the hot flashes began again. The Dr. decided to do a saliva test and I am still waiting for the results.

What I am wondering about is if the bio's are being affected by my thyroid medication and vice versa? Has anyone had this problem and if so, help! I tried all of the otc remedies to no avail before being put on the bio's. It is driving me crazy as I am sure it does all women who are suffering from hot flashes. Now that the weather has changed, it's even worst. I'm cold but yet I'm hot. It's as if my whole inner thermostat is on the fritz. Any suggestions? P

Thryoid is also considered a hormone so you are mentioning two hormones. Please be sure to tell your doctor all prescriptions, vitamins, herbals, supplements, aspirin, Motrin, Aleve or other remedies you may be taking so he can decide if anything is interacting with your hormones or if one item is interacting with another. Actually find out if your doctor has done blood work tests on your hormones, including your thyroid, to see where the levels are.

If Breast Cancer runs in your family, MAKE SURE your doctor knows when he is prescribing hormones for hot flashes. What helped me was soy milk. I began using that Silk Soy milk (vanilla flavored) instead of regular milk and the hot flashes slowed left. Take care.

My Dr. knows everything I am taking. I keep a list on my word processor and that way it is easier to add and delete and I take it with me to every Dr.s visits whether it is a specialist or my GP. I just got my results back and it was all messed up. I think she should have done the test first before adding hormone's. I told her that I already went off of them because they sure weren't making anything at all better. Now I am off of them and the hot flashes are still here but I guess I will just have to learn to deal with them. I will try the soy milk that you suggested though if I can tolerate the taste.

My husband bought me this little two dollar battery operated fan that hooks on to my belt loop and it is wonderful. Now I don't have to run around the house to turn on a big fan although I do use a big fan at night. P

I had a problem with the ingredients put in the one brand I was taking. I switched brands and I don't use it on daily basis, only whenever I feel the need to and sparingly. For some people I have found with thyroid issues (such as me) I cannot use the amounts suggested on the tube, I will get bouncy/hypER.

I don't really have hot flashes as much and only if my thyroid levels are off. I have been undiagnosed hypO for many years since my teenaged years. Then I became hypER with Grave's Disease post partum after my last child was born in 2000.

Soy is good for those who can tolerate it. Unfortunately I can't have it for it will make me bouncy/hypER.

I have read that the saliva test as well as the blood test for the hormones are just as good. Maybe use both for comparision?

Take care... :-)

Well I got off of the bio-identicals and am just using black cohosh and evening primrose oil. I have tried all of this before but at least I get more relief for a little longer period of time this way. I sure hate having them. Does anyone know where to order those neck ties that become cold by either freezing them or I think there are some that you just crack open and they become cold. I have heard that they help people with MS. I would love to have some of those. P

I do my best not to touch Soy products. Read Soy Alert online.

Just a note that Soy doesn't play havoc on everyone and I've been drinking the Soy Milk for years so it is not FOR SURE. It may be because my thyroid requires a replacement hormone in the form of Synthroid, and it may only play havoc for those that are not on thyroid replacement hormones. Whatever the reason is, I read the alert before and I get tested yearly for my thyroid and other items with my blood work at my annual physical. In taking Silk Soy Milk for many years, it has not caused any problem with my thyroid hormone.

Very little in life is 100% FOR SURE. Death & taxes, as they say.

I do think there's individual variability in how people with thyroid disease respond to goitrogenic foods such as soy.

I have Hashi's and am on thyroid hormone replacement, with "good" free T4 and TSH on retests. However I struggle with extremely low free T3 (active thyroid hormone), despite taking both T4 (Levoxyl) and T3 (Rx compound) replacement.

With regard to goitrogenic foods like soy, peanut and brassicas -- I can tolerate only small amounts without flaring thyroid symptoms. What would be considered an "average serving" will in fairly short order result in brain fog, swallowing problems, tendon pain, and a feeling of fullness & tenderness around my thyroid gland -- the same symptoms I get when I'm hypothyroid.

Some of us -- and that includes me -- have had overexposure to fluoride in the past. Mine arose from periodontal treatments that were recommended due to other autoimmune diseases that I have. Fluoride overexposure has the potential to bind up thyroid hormone receptors and to make mischief with the enzymes that help metabolize thyroid hormone.

Perhaps the fluoride overexposure factor doesn't apply to some people with thyroid problems, and perhaps those people are better able to tolerate food goitrogens?

I do suspect there is some "combined limit" for goitrogen exposure from all sources before thyroid function tends to be effected. Beyond "goitrogenic foods," many of us live in areas where significant levels of goitrogens are present in our air & water. Many chemicals used in agriculture are goitrogenic. And of course many, many chemical groups present in modern meds also have goitrogenic potential.

IMO, if someone has diagnosed and/or suspected thyroid problems, it's not a bad idea to keep an eye out for the potential contributions of goitrogenics, incl. foods.

If it turns out that a woman with hot flashes senses that soy is causing thyroid problems, then I guess she would have to weigh for herself, the pros & cons of using soy for the menopausal symptoms.

Best wishes.

I was diagnosed with goiter and hypothryoid in 1977 and treated with Synthroid which completely did away with the goiter and I've been on it since successfully. I don't have Hashi's and haven't had over-exposure to fluoride. The dentist wants me to rinse with a liquid fluoride, but I can't because I can only last until outside his office before I vomit--it's too much for me so I pass on the fluoride rinse. I don't have reactions to peanut butter or soy or have celiac allergy.

I get my thryoid tested yearly and I recommend that everyone get their thryoid tested at least yearly. If you are suspect thryoid problems, see your doctor. My thryoid remains fine and the doctor has no objection to my using Silk Soy Milk. In fact Dr. Oz on TV recommends Silk Soy Milk without any exceptions--so it may be that the "processed" Silk Soy Milk does not have the negative impact on the thryroid that regular soy has. Although Silk Soy Milk is one of his many sponsors, I doubt if he would want to risk his reputation if it was harmful.