Levothyroxine and birth control

Hi . I'm well out of the loop on birth control (haha I'm 67) but I have read that if the Birth Control contains estrogen it can have a significant impact on blood thyroid levels. It might be a good idea to check with your GP if your Levothyroxine dose needs to be increased. You could also Ask a Nurse on our Ask an Expert forum but you might to wait a couple of days for an answer.

I was put on a lose dose of Levothyroxine after my sub total thyroidectomy but I was perimenopausal at the time.

Hope that helps, B x 

Hi MrsBJH,

Thanks for your reply, sounds like it's best to wait and talk to the GP before I do anything!

Thanks again 

I have never heard of people being asked to go off the pill for surgery etc. I do know that it can interact with thyroxine, and that T4 doses need reviewing if people change their contraception, but there shouldn't be an issue for you to go back on, just keep an eye on getting regular blood tests to see how the T4 dose needs adjusting.
I went through two surgeries, RAI, challenge scan etc. and never stopped taking the pill throughout. I also subsequently changed to a progesterone only pill a few years back and didn't change anything for that either.

Hi Barbara,

I was advised to come off the pill a month before surgery to reduce the chance of blood clotting, and then I just didn't bother going back on it once I knew I needed a 2nd operation.

It is good to know that there's no problems with taking both, like you say, just need to keep an eye on those bloods!

Thanks,

Kathryn 

Hey Kathryn,

I was on the contraceptive injection the whole way through my treatment and was never told it would be an issue. I came off it a year ago and have had high TSH blood test results over the same period. This may be due to other lifestyle changes but it’s worth keeping an eye on if switching contraception.

Lydia x

This is interesting. I never thought about it until now.  Ive had IUDs for past 18years, ive had no issues, that I know of

Portabubblejoan Not surprising when there's so many other things to think of at the same time! Glad to hear you've not had any issues though 

Hi Lydia,

The injection is always a method that I completely forget exists! Does sound like there's lots of things that could alter TSH results and birth control is just another one of those things we have to keep an eye on, the joys of it