thyroid
The thyroid is a gland located in the lower part of the neck that produces the hormones T3 and T4, which are responsible for controlling the body’s metabolism. The thyroid hormones that circulate in our body bind to plasma proteins in the blood, so thyroid hormones need blood proteins to move throughout the body.
Doctors believe that people who have thyroid problems and are taking birth control pills should consult their doctor and have their thyroid levels monitored regularly.
Can birth control pills affect your thyroid?
In short, yes, but it depends on the type of birth control pill and how it is used.
- Contraceptive pills (oral contraceptive pills) containing estrogen or birth control pills containing both estrogen and progesterone can alter the delicate balance of free and restricted thyroid hormones in your body.
- Estrogen also causes an increase in thyroxine-binding globulin (TBG) levels. TBG is a liver protein that is responsible for moving thyroid hormones through your circulatory system. When you have an increase in TBG, your available free thyroid hormone decreases. Therefore, you may need to adjust your thyroid hormone replacement medication.
- Estrogen in birth control pills increases the amount of thyroid protein available to bind to thyroid hormone. This means that if more thyroid hormone is bound to proteins, you will have less free T4 in your body; Therefore, if you are taking birth control pills and need medication for hypothyroidism, you may need higher doses of thyroid medication to get your thyroid back to normal levels; But if you stop taking estrogen pills, you may need lower-dose thyroid medications.
- Doctors also believe that the oral estrogen or progesterone in birth control pills may cause thyroid spots or similar problems with an increase in thyroid-binding proteins, and other contraceptive methods do not.
How long should people taking birth control pills be monitored by a doctor?
Thyroid hormone levels usually return to normal within four to eight weeks. In women with hypothyroidism, treatment is with thyroid hormone pills, and in pregnant women, increasing the dose of thyroid hormone pills is necessary to maintain normal levels of TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone). Anyone taking thyroid medication, whether levothyroxine (synthetic T4) or levothyronine sodium (synthetic T3), should be monitored for six to eight weeks after starting oral contraceptives.
Can birth control pills affect thyroid test results?
Taking birth control pills can affect the results of a thyroid test, even if you do not have thyroid disease. Doctors say there are many studies that show that oral contraceptive pills have an effect on thyroid testing, but this effect is usually mild and insignificant, but there is no evidence that birth control pills cause thyroid problems.
Can thyroid function affect the function of birth control pills?
Doctors say some information suggests that abnormal thyroid function may affect the good performance of birth control pills, and that thyroid function may even be affected if these pills are used to regulate menstruation. That’s why you should talk to your doctor before starting any medication. If you have any reason to suspect a thyroid disorder, you should have it checked and treated.
References
https://modernfertility.com/blog/thyroid-and-birth-control/
https://www.palomahealth.com/learn/hypothyroidism-birth-control-pills
