Best contraception for hypothyroid?

[HollieBerry]

Hello ladies,

I was wondering what contraception you used, if any? Over the years I’ve had Mirena coil, but I was getting awful cystic spots around my jawline that seemed to be worsening.

I decided to try the Yasmin pill, as it was supposed to be great for reducing hormonal spots. And it did work to be honest! However after two months my health deteriorated so much I could barely stand, so lightheaded, weak burning muscles, nauseous, just extremely fatigued. Went to doctors, they said I had CFS & fibromyalgia. Which I wasn’t happy to accept. I researched more and found that the contraceptive pill can wreak havoc with your thyroid... even in healthy people!

I stopped taking it. That was 2mths ago and only now do I feel near normal again.

1) I’m SO angry that the docs let me have the pill in the first place without caution.

2) I’m SO angry that they didn’t even click when I went to them... they’d rather diagnose me with something that’s pretty much untreatable.

3) I don’t know where to get tailored advice on contraception for thyroid patients - and the doctors don’t see that it’s even important.

I wonder why the Yasmin was so bad? Maybe high estrogen? Are there any pills that are less damaging to the thyroid function? Should I ask doc to refer me to endocrinologist?

I’m lost 🤦🏼‍♀️

Thanks for any advice xxx

[greygoose]

You're probably right about the oestrogen. See the exerts below from the PDR site, Yasmin Drug Information:

Hypothyroidism, thyroid disease

Use estrogens with caution in patients with thyroid disease, particularly hypothyroidism. Estrogens can increase thyroid-binding globulin (TBG) levels. Patients with normal thyroid function can compensate for the increased TBG by making more thyroid hormone, thus maintaining free T4 and T3 serum concentrations in the normal range. Patients dependent on thyroid hormone replacement therapy who are also receiving estrogens may require increased doses of their thyroid replacement therapy. These patients should have their thyroid function monitored in order to maintain their free thyroid hormone levels in an acceptable range.

Levothyroxine: (Minor) The administration of estrogens can increase circulating concentrations of thyroxine-binding globulin. Increased amounts of thyroxine-binding globulin may result in a reduced clinical response to thyroid hormones. Some hypothyroid patients on estrogen may require larger doses of thyroid hormones.

Levothyroxine; Liothyronine (Porcine): (Minor) The administration of estrogens can increase circulating concentrations of thyroxine-binding globulin. Increased amounts of thyroxine-binding globulin may result in a reduced clinical response to thyroid hormones. Some hypothyroid patients on estrogen may require larger doses of thyroid hormones.

Levothyroxine; Liothyronine (Synthetic): (Minor) The administration of estrogens can increase circulating concentrations of thyroxine-binding globulin. Increased amounts of thyroxine-binding globulin may result in a reduced clinical response to thyroid hormones. Some hypothyroid patients on estrogen may require larger doses of thyroid hormones.

pdr.net/drug-summary/Yasmin...

[HollieBerry in reply to greygoose]

Thanks this is such valuable information. I have an app. Next week with the same doc who put me on Yasmin. I’ll show her this. Thank you GG x

[greygoose in reply to HollieBerry]

You're welcome.

[Greekchick in reply to greygoose]

Thanks for posting that - so many docs do not know that estrogen affects levo absorption! And patients do not know either - and pharmacists don’t always catch it. Great info and hope our younger members read this. It’s important. All the best.

[greygoose in reply to Greekchick]

You're welcome.

[Angel_of_the_North]

Barrier methods - cap and condom. Messy, irritating but much healthier. I'm so glad I don't need to bother with any of that any more.

[HollieBerry in reply to Angel_of_the_North]

Agree. I wish I didn’t have to bother too xxx

[HollieBerry]

I’m single unfortunately... and not the most sensible person if I’m honest. I’m trying to be. But at 32 and living with bipolar I feel like I’m still 22 and learning 🤦🏼‍♀️ sad I know, but I’m doing everything I can to be better xx

[pinkjess17]

Yasmin decreases aldosterone which could explain your fatigue and tinnitus.

[pinkjess17]

Yasmin counteracts aldosterone and its effects as it’s an aldosterone antagonist. It makes you pee out more sodium and increase potassium levels. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/1...

Yes maybe you could give it a while longer and see if it improves.