BCPs Thyroid levels

nan · 03-01-2003, 03:21 AM

I have found over the past year, that depending on the BCP I'm on , it depends on my thyroid level. I have been on the BCP since 17yrs old. Every time I have gotten off, I gain weight at a rapid pace. (11lbs in one week, from 120 to 150 in 3 months). This is very strange to me and my doctors.

When I was TTC I actually lost weight down to 113lbs, which was not very attractive...everyone thought I was sick.

Basically, my question is, has anyone had this same issue? I am now 34 and not TTC, so I am back on BCP. My TSH has gone from 1.04 to 3.17 in the past 3 months. I have a hard time tollerating the BCPs, the only one that doesn't bother me too bad is TRI-LEVLEN. Of course, with someone who has endo (2 laps) and PCOS and gallbladder removal, this makes no sense.

The doctor basically told me to get back on TRI-LEVLEN and regulate myself and my thyroid. I have tried all of the new BCPs and they totally mess my thyroid up. I was on YASMIN and I lost 1/3 of my hair. I was on ORTHO-CEPT and had gallbladder problems the first month. The estrogen irritates my thyroid, so I tried the POP and I was getting estrogen withdrawl migraines.

Anyway, I am going back on TRI-LEVLEN, and at this point there is really no science to it all. It basically depends on the person's body...???

I've been tracking symptoms on different BCPs for 5 years....there is no perfect answer in my opinion...just trial and error...

Anyone relate?

Nan

Juliekaboolie · 03-01-2003, 12:53 PM

No, I can't relate as I don't seem overly sensitive to BCP's except Yasmin which gave me headaches and increased my cramping and PMS symptoms. bah. Are you currently taking a thyroid med like Synthroid?? I couldn't tell from your post if you were or not. Your TSH definitely needs to be lowere and I"ll be you aren't feeling too hot right now, too. Also, being on a drug like Metformin seems to naturally regulate cycles... maybe you could try that and use another form of birth control? I've noticed for me that since being on the combination of Metformin and Synthroid that I feel a lot better and my skin has gotten magically clearer.

Sorry that I'm no help. Good luck!

shenacat · 03-01-2003, 12:55 PM

Estrogen binds to thyroid hormone. While you are taking pills with estrogen in them, you *will* need extra thyroid hormone. If your hypo is autoimmune, you may experience hypo/hyper swings with increased antibody activity while on estrogen. This is a *fact* established by the thyroid community... most doctors *should* know this and raise your meds appropriately while you are on estrogen!

nan · 03-01-2003, 08:35 PM

I'm not on any thyroid meds. Im getting back on the tri-levlen and for some reason my thyroid goes DOWN when Im on estrogen not up. I go hypo when Im off the pill not ON.

I have only had a healthy stable weight while on this pill. It really makes no sense but Im going to do it.

I was just wondering if I was the only one who has this reaction.

Thanks,
Nan

shenacat · 03-01-2003, 08:48 PM

Actually it makes a lot of sense. I should have expounded - while on estrogen, it binds to the thyroid hormone, causing your thyroid to get the message that it needs to go "hyper" so that it produces a lot more... off the estrogen it doesn't get that message, so it's sluggish.