I recently stopped taking my thyroid medication (Armour thyroid, 30 mg/day) three weeks ago. I had been taking it for approximately 1 and a half years, but my doctor wanted me to take another blood test with it out of my system to see if I still need it. I was due to get my period about 2 days ago, and have not gotten it yet. Is it possible that discontinuing thyroid medication can effect menstrual cycle? If so, when should I expect to get my period?
Armour Thyroid is a porcine based thyroid hormone replacement used to treat hypothyroidism. Thyroid medication and thyroid disorders can certainly affect your period. In general, too much thyroid hormone can decrease the frequency of your periods or making your periods lighter. A deficit of thyroid hormone can lead to increased frequency of periods, heavier periods, and even an increase in the pain and discomfort of menstruation.
Dicontinuing thyroid hormone medication can certainly affect menstruation. The affects are most likely temporary but it may take a few cycles before your periods normalize. Meanwhile, the most common cause of missed period is pregnancy, therefore a pregnancy test is warranted if you have been sexually active.