[Hypothyroidism associated to menopause symptoms worsening change with thyroid substitution therapy].

BACKGROUND

Hypothyroidism is more frequent in woman and raises with age. It is not clear why do they have greater susceptibility, but it seems to be related with levels of estrogens and hormonal changes.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate changes in symptoms of women with menopause and hypothyroidism after receiving hypothyroidism therapy and later hormonal therapy.

PATIENTS AND

METHODS

Longitudinal, descriptive and comparative study. Two groups were formed: one with 27 patients with hypothyroidism diagnoses and menopause, and the other with 27 menopausal patients matched by age. Appraisal criterion of hormonal therapy efficacy was Greene scale. Levotiroxine was employed as hypothyroidism therapy, at doses required to get euthyroidism in each patient.

RESULTS

Basal climacteric symptoms' intensity was higher in patients with menopause and hypothyroidism, which decrease significantly (p < 0.05) after hypothyroidism therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Climacteric symptoms are more intense in patients with hypothyroidism, but they fall when euthyroidism is maintained. These changes in thyroid function can be associated to changes in estrogens concentrations, and therefore in direct relation to TRH neurohormone (thyroid releasing hormones).