Okay, so I'm not going to say "ladies only" because who knows, there might be some men out there who have researched this for one reason or another, and anyway, with the word "period" in there the squeamish (male and female) can avoid the thread if they want to.

Also, I do call it just that: my period. I don't have cutesy names for it (Aunt Flo, TOM, etc.). Trust me when I tell you there has NEVER been anything cutesy about my period.

So interestingly, the thing that got me DXd with Hashi's was that my periods were going very long, up to about 10 days (7-8 heavy days, then a couple of lighter days). Often after that, there would still be some spotting. It was my smart OB/gyn who suggested a thyroid test. I tested positive for Hashi's.

I'm on Levo and have been for five years now. My periods are still longish, but not as heavy as they were. And yes, I've been tested and re-tested and am currently at 88mcg Levo as of my most recent blood tests several months ago.

Fast forward to today: I have been LCing for about three weeks. I started LCing right before my most recent period started. Well, since then I have been spotting and spotting. I mean my period lasted about 7 days, then I had spotting from that point onward, either every day or every couple of days.

I am rather bugged out about this. I do know I'm perimenopausal (via hormonal tests), and my period is no longer regular, BUT I don't spot, ever.

Anyone have any ideas? (Besides my doctor, and yes, I'll obviously be calling him - but he's probably not the one to ask "does Atkins tie into this in any way?" because he'll freak out that it's soooo unhealthy, and have no actual information in that regard).

Would love any ideas or experiences.

In peri-meno anything can happen. Maybe your thyroid meds still need tweaking. Do you have any other hypothyroid symptoms? (You can google for them). You might try the tact that you're numbers are in range, but don't feel optimal. It might get you a tiny increase in the hormone.

Some people do well taking Armour thyroid, but you'll probably have to find an ND or someone with an open-mind to alternative treatments.

Thanks, Nancy. Oh, trust me, I've been begging my doctor for Armour for about four years now. No dice.

But in order to go to an endo, I need her referral, as I am on an HMO, and she will not give the referral. Why? Because my "numbers are in range."

And here we go round again...

Yes, I have a lot of other hypo symptoms. I have all along, but haven't had the spotting.

Believe it or not, I have entertained the thought of just buying from Mexico or wherever it is online that people by Armour without an RX.

I no longer menstruate, but as long as I've been on LC boards, I've noticed women concerned that their periods (that's what I call it too - it happens periodically) go wacko when they first begin Atkins. Seems like the consensus is that fat is being released, fat contains hormones and the excess hormones play havoc with cycles. For sure you should still call your doc and check things out, but I wanted to give you some assurance that your situation is not that abnormal. And as far as peri-menopause, Nancy's right, anything can happen.

Thank you so much, Nancy and Liz.

No, don't go to an Endo. Go to an ND, NP or someone else. You'll have to research it. Start with http://stopthethyroidmadness.com

Endos never prescribe armour.

I was told that I'd also have a hard time getting an Rx for Armour. That was not my experience as I got an Rx fairly easily from a DO. A DO is an MD too and is more open minded. I made him my PCP on my HMO. Maybe you need to switch your PCP if he isn't being cooperative.

I don't have an answer to your spotting but I also used to have very long and painful periods. Lucky me, I've been in menopause for 9 years now. 2 weeks of every month was spent dealing with it.

Good Luck!

And I went to a DO also, and she absolutely RAGED at me about the severe dangers of taking Armour or any other natural thyroid, and said she would NEVER EVER prescribe anything other than synthroid and its ilk. Also insisted this had nothing whatever to do with my very high cholesterol. Funny how when I finally found a holistic NP willing to prescribe Armour my total cholesterol also dropped 100 points in 6 weeks

What is a DO?

I had stopped menstruating for about 2 years when I started Atkins induction at the age of 54 and experienced two incidents of a few days of "spotting" over the first few months.
Still got a half full pack of tampons in the cupboard which I had to run out and buy!!

DO= Doctor of Osteopathy. They are equal to an MD. I believe that they view the whole body and deal in a holistic way.
Every DO I've met was, to me, a true healer. Not only in the way they practiced medicine but in the way that they heard me.

Aha! Thank you so very much.

Just anecdotal from me - When I started LCing for the first time, I was on a birth control that made my period non existent - until I started Atkins. Being LC kicked off my cycle out of nowhere, and as far as I could tell, it was because of the fat releasing the hormones stored in the fat cells. I did get to normal in about 3 months, when the 'fast' weight loss slowed down to a more steady pace.

About your PCP - change now. Any PCP who won't let you see a specialist for an Auto-Immune Disorder isn't worth their degree. I let mine call the shots for a full year before I wised up and forced the issue. If your doc thinks your base labs are the only part to worry about with Hashi, you aren't getting the care you need and should see someone who truly understands the workings of the Endocrine system. Whether for you that means a great Endo, NP, DO, or whoever - it is worth it to find them.