Arm implant and levothyroxine

[C4rol3]

I just wondered if the arm implant birth control could be interfering with my levothyroxine. From a size 10 in less than 6 months I've went to a 14. Nothing I do shifts the weight. I also take a omega 3 every 2 days, b12 every 2 days and multivitamin every day. I am vegetarian and my Dr sees my fatigue as a reason to prescribe anti-depressants. I believe I was wrongly diagnosed with depression for years as at 25 Dr said my thyroid was fine but what produced it was working overtime. Any advice grateful. At the moment I take all meds in the morning with breakfast so I may need to review that. I'm on 100mg levothyroxine. Thanks

[honor1a]

Hi C4rol3, unfortunately I can't advise re arm implant as never used it or any oral contraception, with regards to the levothyronxine, I take mine in the morning with my other medicines but quite a few people find that taking levethyroxine at bed time has a better result.... it's something that your doctor should advise x

[C4rol3 in reply to honor1a]

Thank you, I saw that in another post so going to take it at night for a few weeks see how I go 😊

[magsyh in reply to honor1a]

Yes the implant will effect how you absorb and your body uses levo. The progestin hormone slows your thyroid and blocks your natural progesterone by preventing ovulation. You will find that you will need to up your dose of levo or find a natural method of contraception that doesnt interfere with your hormones. Progesterone is the happy hormone and its also the implant that causes deppression again coz it has cut off your natural supply. Its slowing everything down causing you to gain weight. Dont let the doc tell you otherwise. I agree with previous advice get your levels tested and your vitamins and minerals as the implant will also use up all your b vitamins esp folate and b6. Forget the multivitamin they just cancel eachother out for example vita,c,e are antioxidents, iodine, selenium and zinc are oxidents so they cancel eachother out. Its like that so u have to seperate them by a few hours or you end up wasting your money xx

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

C4rol3 Fatigue and weight gain can mean that you are undermedicated. Can you post your latest thyroid test results, with reference ranges, and members will comment.

I don't believe a doctor should be giving antidepressants for fatigue and they certainly won't be helping, particularly if you're taking them at the same time as your Levo. But then again, I think they get some kind of payment for diagnosing depression and prescribing antidepressants so they're quite keen to do so rather than look for the reason.

Levo should be taken on an empty stomach, one hour before or two hours after food, with water only, no tea, coffee, milk, etc. Also best a couple of hours away from supplements.

Have you had vitamins and minerals tested? Your fatigue could be coming from low nutrient levels, particularly ferritin.

Your multivitamin won't be doing much good. Multis usually contain not enough of anything to help, and often use the wrong and least absorbable form of ingredients. If it contains iron then that will stop everything else being absorbed and if it contains iodine or calcium that is a big no-no unless you have been tested and found to be deficient.

[C4rol3 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thank you. I've never asked for my results and probably due a test soon.

[SeasideSusie Remembering in reply to C4rol3]

When having a thyroid test, always book the very first appointment of the morning, fast overnight (water allowed) and leave off Levo for 24 hours. This gives the highest possible TSH which is what is needed when looking for an increase in dose or to avoid a reduction. It will also give continuity of conditions so that you can accurately compare results in the future.

Always get a print out of your results and make sure the reference ranges are included. You are legally entitled to them under the Data Protection Act 1998.

[C4rol3]

Thank you for all the advice folks. A few things to think about and actions to take 😊

[ThyroidalLinda]

From my years of research.. i would ssy you are under dosed.. the GOV parameters are not wide enough..

My Tsh was always fine.. antibodies (antiperidoxidase test) was nearly off the chart.

I wish Endocrinologists looked into Reverse T3 as that is more powerful than thyroid reducing drugs.

I am researching progesterone implants as a potential cause of messing up the signals/hormones/adrenals and finally thyroid. Which then leads on to other health issues.

Always have Free T3 and Free T4 and antibodies checked. Every blood test.

Tsh not reliable.. i was told when symptom free for a few months that i was too high on my meds!

I was symptom free... i had to come down or they would stop giving it to me... so i did... 14 days later i was back to sleeping 5 hrs a day! Trounle breathing in the afternoon and couldn't move 2-4pm.

Endos had said i had the tsh levels of someone half my age... well maybe that's how i roll! Back up now but put on half a stone more so now technically underdosed again due to weight increase.

Hope you have some success x