I have very low blood pressure, sometimes they wonder if I am alive. Once, I was going under for a procedure and they stopped because it was so low. I am hypothyroid, have had one seizure, my cholesterol is kinda high but my hdl is really good. So I am sorta healthy. Maybe I will cut in half and see what happens. Soon I will have to go to doc and he will cut me off. I want a supply to work on my own. Last night was really good, but I couldn't sleep.

Didn't know you were hypothyroid! Are you taking Synthroid or the like?

Low progesterone seems to figure into drinking, estrogen dominance is said to block thyroid hormones too:

http://www.drnorthrup.com/thyroid-disease/

I read the article but I missed where it said something about hypo and drinking.

"According to the late clinician John R Lee, M.D., estrogen dominance is behind many cases of midlife hypothyroidism, in which there are inadequate levels of thyroid hormone. When estrogen is not properly counterbalanced with progesterone, Dr. Lee surmised, it can block the action of thyroid hormone, so that even when the thyroid is producing normal levels of the hormone, the hormone is rendered ineffective and the symptoms of hypothyroidism appear.

In this case, laboratory tests may show normal thyroid hormone levels in a woman’s system, because the thyroid gland itself is not malfunctioning. This problem is compounded when a woman is prescribed supplemental estrogen, which then leads to an even greater imbalance. Prescribing supplemental thyroid hormone in that case will fail to correct the underlying problem: estrogen dominance."

And the missing link:

https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/shes-hooked/

"In female mammals, estrogen does not act alone, however. Its hormonal partner, progesterone, appears to oppose estrogen’s ability to promote addictive tendencies."

And:

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3683955/


This also aligns with Joanna's post:

"This is really important for lots of reasons. It can help you understand that things are good overall, but that perhaps just this week your brain is trying to fool you into any excuse to give up. It an also give you an insight into trends - especially for a woman, this is important because when you document it, some women can clearly see an upturn in drinking behaviour at certain times of the month. During those times, progesterone falls which in turn causes a weaker response to naltrexone."

This doesn't seem to be the situation in every instance, but there seems to be a strong tendency towards estrogen dominance fueling addictive behavior. From what I understand, Dr. Northrup is also saying that estrogen dominance also binds certain thyroid hormones and makes them unavailable. Add to this that progesterone has a GABA-like effect on the brain (as does alcohol).

Aromatization of androgens to estrogen (by alcohol) would seem to add to the problems.

Ok, I get it, but I had a hysterectomy at the age of 37 and was on hormones. I didn't start drinking until ten years later. Now I ten years older and still drinking. I am drinking more by starting and hour to an hour and half longer. Last November, I got sick and it it took 22 days to go through a bottle.

" I am drinking more by starting and hour to an hour and half longer."

Starting later makes you drink more?

Did you quit using HRT?

I wrote that wrong, presently, I am drinking less by starting later.
I stopped HR about 20 years ago.
Six, have a wonderful Thanksgiving. Mine will be quiet with just my husband but I am so loving the quiet and peace. My class this year is so load.Sweet but load, they tire me out.

Well, it's good to hear you're making progress on it, Meggie! A Very Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family too. Enjoy the peace and quiet!

Plugging along, started the gym again, boy does it feel good to hurt. I know it sounds strange but it is the only thing I am doing good for myself and that feels good.

That's great, Meggie! Probably helps with some of the stress from the classroom too.