NWR: Birth control help

hlvonb

This may be TMI but I want opinions please.

I was put on birth control my freshman year of high school (2003) to regulate my cycle and bring it from 10 + days to hopefully 5 and not make me feel like there was an alien trying to escape from inside me when I had cramps. They got so bad when I was visiting my grandma that I was throwing up and she thought I was going to have to go to the hospital.

Recently (maybe 6 months ago) my gyno took me off Loestrin FE 24 because it was causing problems. I was on it in high school and then got switched to something else when it wasn’t working right. Then got put back on it later (when that pill stopped working right) thinking now that my body was more mature it might work. It did for maybe a year and then I had problems again (same as before and in high school) Problems such as 2 periods back to back with 1 or 2 days in between to bleeding for a whole month and then nothing the next month, etc. Well my gyno said she wanted to do some tests to make sure my level s were good (thyroid, etc) and to rule out Polycystic Ovarian Syndrom. All tests were fine and negative for the Polycystic. These tests were done RIGHT BEFORE she put me on Microgestin 1.5/30 (which has a slightly higher estrogen level then the last birth control) and it is great. Cramps are not too bad and I have not had any issues with irregular cycles.

Well 2 months after I was on this pill, I had some more tests done to check for diabetes. I am 25 and biologically (I am adopted) there is a history of it on my father’s side. Well these tests showed my thyroid levels were a bit higher than they should be so I went to see a thyroid specialist who had me to a bunch of tests to rule out Grave’s disease or something like that. I told him I thought the Microgestin may be a possible cause because 2 months ago right before I was put on Microgestin my levels were normal and now 2 months later they’re a bit high. The doctor laughed and wouldn’t even look into it.

What do you think? Do you think it’s a possibility? I have a blood test to check my levels again and if they are still higher than normal should I talk to my gyno since the Thyroid specialist wont about it possibly being the pill? Would you suggest anything else?

kitty8403

I know a few women with thyroid issues but I'm not aware offhand of them being directly linked to birth control choices. it sounds like there's an ongoing hormonal issue that you have not quite gotten control of, but if the pill seems to be suspect, do some research and maybe seek a second opinion.

blabla89

Yes, definitely ask your gyno and your PCP.

blabla89

double post

monkeysip

Definitely talk to a doctor about this.  You need professional medical advice.  I will add, however, that if you don't think your doctor is taking your concerns seriously, find another.  In my experience, some doctors don't take the side effects of hormonal contraception very seriously, when they can be.  Get a second opinion if you need one.

hlvonb

kitty8403 said:

I know a few women with thyroid issues but I'm not aware offhand of them being directly linked to birth control choices. it sounds like there's an ongoing hormonal issue that you have not quite gotten control of, but if the pill seems to be suspect, do some research and maybe seek a second opinion.

I did some research on this pill (Microgestin) and found a blog type thing where someone said their Thyroid was effected. Most people say that they gained a lot of weight while on it

hlvonb

lalalaurita said:

Yes, definitely ask your gyno and your PCP.

I planned on talking to my gyno about it when I see her next week.

hlvonb

monkeysip said:

Definitely talk to a doctor about this.  You need professional medical advice.  I will add, however, that if you don't think your doctor is taking your concerns seriously, find another.  In my experience, some doctors don't take the side effects of hormonal contraception very seriously, when they can be.  Get a second opinion if you need one.

I am thinking about going to a different Thyroid specialist if my gyno doesn't think it is the birth control or doesn't have any other ideas. When I see the Thyroid doctor tomorrow (Wed) for blood work to check the levels, I will try 1 more time to voice my concern / questions about it maybe being linked to my birth control to him. I am also bringing my FI with me because he has a knack for getting people to listen / take things seriously.

JCbride2015

I don't know anything about the medical issue here, but I don't like that your doctor laughed off your concern.  Ditto PP, if you think this doctor isn't taking you seriously, I would seek another opinion.

Lavender123

Mention it to your gyno, have a look online..If you really want to know, change pill.. I've been taking thyroid replacement medication for years, never even thought to try and find out the problem, it's really, really common.

Also you don't mention if it is so high that they are planning to put you on medication? If not, I really don't think it's anything to worry about. Stress can affect your thyroid hormone... changing diet.. lots of things could cause a potential fluctuation and if it's only minor, just wait 6 months and check again.

hlvonb

JCBride2014 said:

I don't know anything about the medical issue here, but I don't like that your doctor laughed off your concern.  Ditto PP, if you think this doctor isn't taking you seriously, I would seek another opinion.

Considering he laughed and smirked, I would say he did....

hlvonb

Lavender123 said:

Mention it to your gyno, have a look online..If you really want to know, change pill.. I've been taking thyroid replacement medication for years, never even thought to try and find out the problem, it's really, really common.

Also you don't mention if it is so high that they are planning to put you on medication? If not, I really don't think it's anything to worry about. Stress can affect your thyroid hormone... changing diet.. lots of things could cause a potential fluctuation and if it's only minor, just wait 6 months and check again.

They never got to the point where they said if they were going to put me on medication or not.

KytchynWitche

It is absolutely possible. ANY kind of hormonal BC has the possible side-effect of screwing up your thyroid levels. The thyroid is NOT something you screw around with - it affects pretty much everything.

Hie thee hence to a second opinion! And may I just add that your doc is a douchecanoe of the highest order if he doesn't take your concerns seriously.

Lavender123

hlvonb said:

Lavender123 said:

Mention it to your gyno, have a look online..If you really want to know, change pill.. I've been taking thyroid replacement medication for years, never even thought to try and find out the problem, it's really, really common.

Also you don't mention if it is so high that they are planning to put you on medication? If not, I really don't think it's anything to worry about. Stress can affect your thyroid hormone... changing diet.. lots of things could cause a potential fluctuation and if it's only minor, just wait 6 months and check again.

They never got to the point where they said if they were going to put me on medication or not.

Did they give you your results?

hlvonb

urbaneca said:

It is absolutely possible. ANY kind of hormonal BC has the possible side-effect of screwing up your thyroid levels. The thyroid is NOT something you screw around with - it affects pretty much everything.

Hie thee hence to a second opinion! And may I just add that your doc is a douchecanoe of the highest order if he doesn't take your concerns seriously.

@urbaneca

 

I agree. I actually go in later today technically (7 hours lol) and we shall see what he says / does. My FI is coming with me to help me try to get the doctor to take my concerns seriously. We shall see though.

hlvonb

Lavender123 said:

hlvonb said:

Lavender123 said:

Mention it to your gyno, have a look online..If you really want to know, change pill.. I've been taking thyroid replacement medication for years, never even thought to try and find out the problem, it's really, really common.

Also you don't mention if it is so high that they are planning to put you on medication? If not, I really don't think it's anything to worry about. Stress can affect your thyroid hormone... changing diet.. lots of things could cause a potential fluctuation and if it's only minor, just wait 6 months and check again.

They never got to the point where they said if they were going to put me on medication or not.

Did they give you your results?

Not besides saying the levels were higher than the normal level and that they don't think its Grave's Disease. I actually go in later to see what they say. I think it might just be another blood test to see where levels are at now 

KytchynWitche

hlvonb said:

urbaneca said:

It is absolutely possible. ANY kind of hormonal BC has the possible side-effect of screwing up your thyroid levels. The thyroid is NOT something you screw around with - it affects pretty much everything.

Hie thee hence to a second opinion! And may I just add that your doc is a douchecanoe of the highest order if he doesn't take your concerns seriously.

@urbaneca

 

I agree. I actually go in later today technically (7 hours lol) and we shall see what he says / does. My FI is coming with me to help me try to get the doctor to take my concerns seriously. We shall see though.

Good luck! Be sure to keep us posted!!

southernbelle0915

Get a second opinion (go to a different physician).

nsweare

Also, if you have a history of your pill not working over time, use a backup method of bc. My daughter is a pill baby. I had all the same issues as you describe, long painful periods. I have endometriosis. For whatever reason a pill will work for a year or two and the stop being effective. Unfortunately, it apparently stopped being effective birth control before it stopped being effective as an endometriosis treatment and I got pregnant. Not saying any of this exactly applies is your situation, just mentioning a possibility.

Cokezerofreak

One thing I've learned working for a self-insured company from our benefits consultant (a pharmacist) is that doctors don't know about all the drugs out there much less all the side effects that can happen for a particular drug. 

I would definitely ask your Gyno, PCP and go see another endocrinologist.  I just stopped going to my endo because every time I went in she gave me whatever new pill the pharma rep just dropped off before my appointment.  I found this wonderful Internist that works great with my Gyno and he's treating me. I have PCOS and have been on the pill since my early 20s.  I went through a bunch of different pills with lots of side effects until I went to see my current Gyno and he "fixed" me.

And the pharmacists says always ask a pharmacists about the drug, maybe try that, too?

hlvonb

urbaneca said:

hlvonb said:

urbaneca said:

It is absolutely possible. ANY kind of hormonal BC has the possible side-effect of screwing up your thyroid levels. The thyroid is NOT something you screw around with - it affects pretty much everything.

Hie thee hence to a second opinion! And may I just add that your doc is a douchecanoe of the highest order if he doesn't take your concerns seriously.

@urbaneca

 

I agree. I actually go in later today technically (7 hours lol) and we shall see what he says / does. My FI is coming with me to help me try to get the doctor to take my concerns seriously. We shall see though.

Good luck! Be sure to keep us posted!!

I had a blood test today. I will get the results on Friday (hopefully) and he is saying now that he thinks it was just a temporary high point and that if that's the case then there is nothing to worry about.

hlvonb

nsweare said:

Also, if you have a history of your pill not working over time, use a backup method of bc. My daughter is a pill baby. I had all the same issues as you describe, long painful periods. I have endometriosis. For whatever reason a pill will work for a year or two and the stop being effective. Unfortunately, it apparently stopped being effective birth control before it stopped being effective as an endometriosis treatment and I got pregnant. Not saying any of this exactly applies is your situation, just mentioning a possibility.

We know I don't have endometriosis. That was ruled out.

hlvonb

Cokezerofreak said:

One thing I've learned working for a self-insured company from our benefits consultant (a pharmacist) is that doctors don't know about all the drugs out there much less all the side effects that can happen for a particular drug. 

I would definitely ask your Gyno, PCP and go see another endocrinologist.  I just stopped going to my endo because every time I went in she gave me whatever new pill the pharma rep just dropped off before my appointment.  I found this wonderful Internist that works great with my Gyno and he's treating me. I have PCOS and have been on the pill since my early 20s.  I went through a bunch of different pills with lots of side effects until I went to see my current Gyno and he "fixed" me.

And the pharmacists says always ask a pharmacists about the drug, maybe try that, too?

I could try asking the pharmacist.

3ringnecklace

There are other birth control options out there besides the pill. There's Nuvaring, Depo Provera, and Mirana. I have Mirana and my periods have stopped I was on the pill for a while and it was too much hassle on the body. And weight just FELL OFF of me once I stopped taking it. Talk to your doctor about other birth control methods besides the pill. If they don't want to talk about it, LEAVE and talk to a different doctor.