10 years on. My menstrual cycle is ruining my life.

Hi Alice in Wonderland, I'm so sorry you're having to go through this on top of thyroid issues. Unfortunately, I'm not going to be much help with reference to this problem following RAI (my variant can't be treated with RAI, so I haven't researched it much but interesting clinical paper you referenced.) I just really empathised with your struggle to be taken seriously and be given guidance for referral to a relevant specialist, not only with my own past experience but with my daughter too. So as you haven't had a reply yet thought I'd pop on with my take on it.

I've fought for my daughter's symptoms to be taken seriously (one of which is irregular, long, incredibly painful periods and now painful sex; fatigue and also migraines) for nearly 8 years! She's now nearly 21, at her wits end and we've had to dip into my pension and pay privately for a consultant and is now being investigated for endometriosis, which we've been told it's highly likely it has been all along. It makes me so angry that genuine people in distress with, as you say “women's issues” are not taken seriously. (My symptoms were put down to “just menopause” no referral, when it was thyroid cancer for years!) Have you considered endometriosis? In which case you'd still need a referral to gynae? Did you have any of these gynae type problems before RAI that made them worse? Her problems have got much worse since having to come off any hormonal contraception and as you say you can't take that, I imagine you are in a real catch 22. Have you had a referral to endocrinology to balance your thyroid meds at all? Did they look at your overall hormonal balance? Not sure how far they will go in their “allocated area” of expertise.

Sorry if that's not helpful really ref the RAI but all I can say is as exhausting as it is, keep pushing to be taken seriously for a referral.

I wish you all the best x