I've just had a blood test regarding heavy bleeding - anaemia and thyroid - and the doctor has asked to see me. I know anaemia is lack of iron but what about the thyroid?

Your thyroid, which is situated in the lower throat, is responsible for your metabolism which regulates how slow or fast your body runs.

Low thyroid often appears in the menopause, and can cause symptoms such as fatigue, flushes, low mood, feeling cold all the time, heavy/prolonged periods, and poor hair and nails.

These are also regarded as menopause symptoms, so some doctors do test for iron and thyroid when faced with these symptoms as it could be either one of these rather than the menopause and both are treatable.

It is good that your doctor is testing you for these as many don't bother!

Eileen Durward