Diagnose me please - periods, awful headaches and dry skin

[Sadieeloise5687]

I’m nearly 40 and overweight by about 2/3 stone. I’m pretty unhealthy compared to what I used to be. The last few years I’ve been getting a few symptoms -

• awful heavy heavy periods. They are full of clots and I tend to spot before and after (I find the after particularly weird). They are ‘fast’ if you know what I mean. I’ll flood for a couple of days then they’ll be over bar a bit of spotting for a few days after that.
• I’m getting awful headaches with aura. Doesn’t seem linked to a time of the month but I’m suspecting hormonal.
• the skin on my feet is so so dry and keeps cracking. This is on the sole not really the heel. I’ve tried anti fungal creams but doesn’t seem related. I’ve noticed it gets super dry and I get the cracks just before my period starts.

I also get a couple of sleepless nights before my period. Is this all hormonal? Is this my life now for the next ten years?! I’ve had blood tests in the past and some have shown low iron and low vitamin d. I try to remember to take supplements when I can now. I’ve had one scan for heavy periods but it didn’t show anything other than a slightly uneven uterus texture. There wasn’t any follow up and the gp just says go on the coil which isn’t an option because 1. I’m not putting that in my body and 2. I’d like another child (even though I’m too old and unhealthy). Help!

Have you had your thyroid tested?

Thanks mini pie - yes I think it was part of the gps standard blood tests and didn’t show up anything abnormal

Coeliac disease

Although my mum does have thyroid problems (not sure if they are inherited?)

My tsh level was 1.77 last time I had a blood test and vitamin d 52

You're a little young but could be peri menopause.

@Sadieeloise5687

Although my mum does have thyroid problems (not sure if they are inherited?)

Yes thyroid problems are hereditary so even if your previous result was fine, I’d ask for it to be done again as your symptoms could all point to that. You should also try and get a full thyroid panel not just TSH if possible.

My thyroid levels fluctuate a lot and when it’s low my feet crack so badly they bleed and my skin is so dry and itchy it drives me mad!!

Perimenopause is also a possibility although you’re probably a bit young. But definitely worth asking for some general tests as you shouldn’t have to put up with this.

Thank you

Your periods are like mine since kids.
I'd say peri menopause

Try Flexitol on your feet. Works wonders.

The rest sounds kind of normal unfortunately. The headaches sound like migraines and your GP can prescribe a triptan for them. Sumatriptan is the only thing that gets rid of mine and it changed my life after years of suffering all day or longer.

Anaemia?

I was seriously, we’re-going-to-admit-you-to-hospital anaemic without realising it - I knew something was up but thought it was just perimenopause. I had super-floody, clotty periods, anxiety, sleeplessness, tiredness, breathlessness thinning hair and very badly cracked feet. The gp did a blood test after I eventually went in after my third really bad chest infection in 6 months. I was prescribed pharmacy strength ferrous sulphate and I felt an improvement after a week and was back to normal within about 12 weeks. Over the counter supplements are not enough if you have a significant problem.

Peri-menopause? You are a bit young but not very. I’d get it checked.

Also was going to say anaemia but presume they checked for that did they?

Thanks Ferratin was 31 last time they checked so low but not abnormally low. I have been low on iron in the past though.

Perhaps I need to focus on taking my supplements again...

Ps how do they check for peri menopause? Is it a blood test?

Hi, have you considered adenomyosis as you said that the scan showed uneven texture in your uterus? Spotting for days before and after period can be a sign of endometriosis. Endometriosis and adenomyosis go hand in hand. Also pcos can sit alongside these and make it hard to lose weight (I have all three).
I also get migraine with aura - probably linked to other conditions I have.
The fungal infections can be more likely, I think, when your immune system is stressed with the inflammatory tissue in endometriosis and adenomyosis.
Best of luck

It sounds very much like peri-menopause. It kicked in around 40 for me but I was dismissed by GP for years.

As pp said, endometriosis and adenomyosis are also possible as I have these with similar symptoms to those you've described.

You'll need to push for help. Don't rule out HRT if appropriate especially when you're on the young side.

If you can, get a referral to a gynaecological or menopause clinic.
If you can find a GP who specialises in these things then all the better but many of them can't see past the 'cut off age'.

It's been years of trying to get the right help for me, I'm getting there but it's been tough.

I hope you get some answers soon!

I'd say peri-menopause too. Doesn't mean you can't get pregnant again though, so if that's what you want, then probably best to try sooner rather than later.