contraceptive pill affects

[Goinginsane1]

hi. I started taking the pill when I was 17. I was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid when I was 19 (doesn’t run in the family). I took the pill continuously until 2020 and then had a baby and haven’t gone back on it. For years and years I took 100mcg levo until after the birth it was reduced to 75 (and been up and down again since last year).

I have many symptoms ie severe anxiety that suggest maybe I am over medicated.

Do you think there is a link between thyroid and now not taking the pill? Is it likely that I do not need to take as much thyroxine now?

[Hidden]

75mcg is only a small dose and I get severe anxiety when I'm underdosed.

Only way to know for sure is to get bloods done.

Do you have any recent results you can share?

[SlowDragon Administrator]

As Hidden says anxiety is frequently linked to being on inadequate dose levothyroxine

Which brand of levothyroxine are you currently taking

Teva is only brand that makes 75mcg tablets, Teva brand upsets many people

So it could be the brand or the dose

What are your most recent thyroid results and ranges

When were vitamin levels last tested

What vitamin supplements are you currently taking

First step is to get FULL Thyroid and vitamin testing done

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

 

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies 

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis. 

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto’s or Ord’s thyroiditis)

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis 

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test 

This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)

Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or all relevant vitamins

List of private testing options and money off codes

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

If you can get GP to test vitamins then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3

£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

monitormyhealth.org.uk/

Monitor My Health also now offer thyroid and vitamin testing, plus cholesterol and HBA1C for £65 

(Doesn’t include antibodies)

monitormyhealth.org.uk/full...

NHS easy postal kit vitamin D test £29 via

vitamindtest.org.uk

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning. 

Watch out for postal strikes, probably want to pay for guaranteed 24 hours delivery 

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism 

thyroiduk.org/wp-content/up...