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What Does Hot Headedness After Stopping Birth Control Pills Indicate?

Posted on Tue, 5 May 2015

Question: I got off the birth control pill I was on for 10 years or more at the end of Dec 2014. since then, starting maybe the third week in XXXXXXX I started to feel hot. I thought I was coming down with something , and went to doctors and had blood taken, and all blood work has come back normal. I still wasn't feeling myself after a few weeks, so I decided to see more doctors. My reg doctor told me to see a rheumy because my ana was positive at one point. I went to see a rheumy and she said all my blood came back negative and my ana was negative as well... So I left feeling stumped, not knowing anything but still feeling hot! so since this has all happened, I have had numerous blood tests, all coming back fine, ct scans of my chest, abdomen, sinus, and ultrasound of my abdomen with nothing found. I have also had endoscopy and colonoscopy done, and they said I have ulceration of stomach. Fine, I was put on a pantropazole, and I stopped taking this as I feel I don't need it. so now I am coming here to see what you can do to help. I am still hot, throughout days for months. My eyes get red and my eyes feel hot and my throat also feels this way. I feel like I breath hot air out of my nose, its crazy. but I feel like a stuffy hot head all day long until I am at rest. when I go to sleep, I am fine. I don't feel the stuffiness, I just sleep. sometimes I don't sleep well, and other nights I sleep okay. Not like it used to be before.. I never woke up. I have attached my most recent blood work. I don't know what else to do or think. What can you suggest? I feel feverish but don't have a fever. I never register over 98..6%. I am usually around 97.9 or 98.4%
please help!!

Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
possible other testing

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thank you for your question
There a couple things in your blood tests you have sent us that are not normal and either of them could cause this sensation of being hot all the time. One is that your ALT is elevated. This is a liver enzyme test that becomes elevated with viral hepatitis. If you have not been tested for Hepatitis B and C then I suggest that you get those tests along with an HIV test just to make sure.
Also your testosterone level is elevated to almost twice the normal range. This can come from problems in the adrenal or ovary. If you have not had a transvaginal ultrasound to look specifically at your ovaries then that may be helpful as well.
Another problem to consider is pheochromocytoma. This is rare but can present with flushing, sweating,elevated blood pressure ans headache. If you have these other symptoms then a 24 hour urine sample to test for fractionated catecholamines and metanephrines would be a good idea.
Good luck to you and I hope you get back to normal soon
Dr Robinson

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Kathy Robinson (1 hour later)

well I went to the rheumy already and she def ordered a hep test which came back negative. I am not sure about hiv but I believe I have been tested for this already and I am married, and only have one partner. not sure where this would come into play.
my test levels are elevated , I do know this. Its odd that NOT ONE doctor said anything about this! I had a ct scan done without contrast already and ULtrasound of abdomen about 1.5 months ago. would this show the ovary or adrenal ? who do I ask for this test from and what do I need to get done to see this? I had my pap smear, and that was clean. as for the pheochromocyroma, I don't have sweating. I don't sweat. I just heat up. I am dizzy at times, and this is strange as it comes on after eating usually. so I get hot, dizzy and tired. I don't have a temperature over 98.6 though. so who would I ask about this last thing? Apparently the endo I saw didn't even mention this and didn't care to check my adrenal glands or anything else. don't know why I feel like I have to educate doctors! soo frustrating!!!

Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
see your primary care doctor

Detailed Answer:
Hello and thanks for your followup
If you don't have sweating, high BP and headaches you probably don't need the pheochromocytoma testing.
Testosterone is made in the ovary and adrenal. The CT and US of abdomen would have shown the adrenal but not the ovary. I would first have them repeat the testosterone level and if it is still elevated then ask for a transvaginal ultrasound to make sure there is not problem with the ovaries.
I hope you get an answer soon.
Dr. Robinson

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj

Follow up: Dr. Kathy Robinson (1 hour later)

I don't have sweating and don't have high bp. I do get headaches pretty often. I will ask for repeat for test levels and then ask my gyno for the ultrasound. Is this done with something inside? Can this cause body heat and how is this cured ? Also I am having a ct scan done on Monday with contrast so I am assuming this will show the adrenal as the last time I didn't get it with contrast. I do get a dull feeling on the left side of my back I have been for a while. What can cause heat from ovaries and my test levels being high?

Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
yes with vaginal probe

Detailed Answer:
Yes to get a good look at the ovaries the do a vaginal probe with the ultrasound. It is true that the contrasted CT will give them a better view of the adrenals than a noncontrasted CT.
Women have testosterone normally but if your ovaries are making too much of it it can speed up your metabolism and may be responsible for the heat that you are feeling. If there is a mass or cyst in your ovary (can be benign, don't just to thinking cancer) then it can be causing the ovary to produce too much testosterone.
Best to you
Dr. Robinson

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D

Follow up: Dr. Kathy Robinson (41 minutes later)

So Pap smear doesn't show this? When they feel your stomach from the inside wouldnt make the doctor feel anything ? Would I be having pain if there was something with my ovaries? If this comes back clear then what else do you suggest? Can this have to do with food intolerances ? The areas which experience the most head is my head, eyes, throat and back

Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
no pap and pelvic exam do not show this

Detailed Answer:
Hi, no the pap is a screen for cervical cancer. If there were something very large with an ovary it may be able to be felt on exam but really you need the pelvic ultrasound to visualize the ovaries.
If all this is clear then looking at foods would be a good thing to consider. I would first eliminate all dairy and wheat for a few months and if that does not help then consider finding a doctor that can order IgG food intolerance panels.
I hope you find an answer soon
Dr. Robinson

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta

Follow up: Dr. Kathy Robinson (3 hours later)

Ok I'll speak To my gyno about this. You have me all worried about this now.

Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
sorry, did not mean to worry you

Detailed Answer:
I am very sorry I did not mean to worry you. I was only trying to figure out why you had these symptoms. I think it may just be an ovarian cyst. It may also turn out that when you repeat the testosterone level that it is normal. If that is the case then I would pursue the dietary avenues.
I hope you get some good news soon.
Dr. Robinson

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta

Follow up: Dr. Kathy Robinson (1 hour later)

its ok. I know you didn't mean too. I have always been a person full of worry, and I know its bad for me.. but I just want to feel normal and find out what is wrong with me. I feel like all the doctors I go too just look at me like im crazy or something and it Is a bad feeling. How does being hot associate with high test levels anyway? does this mean my hormones are all a little off because of this?
if the ultrasound is okay, what do you suggest I do? can this be anything else serious that I am missing?

Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (18 hours later)

Brief Answer:
testosterone speeds up metabolism

Detailed Answer:
Hi and thanks for your follow up
Testosterone help build muscle and so speeds up metabolism to some extent. It is why men usually have more muscle mass and are less likely to gain weight than women (in general). Your other hormone levels were normal so I think in general your testosterone was an isolated finding. If it is normal on repeat and if your contrasted CT and ultrasound is normal then I think all the serious things have been ruled out and I would focus on making some dietary changes and see if that helps.
I really hope you get back to feeling normal again soon
Dr. Robinson

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Pradeep Vitta

Follow up: Dr. Kathy Robinson (12 hours later)

so I had my ultrasround and transvaginal scan done this morning. she said nothing found and nothing to be alarmed about. some cystic looking ovaries but all normal. She didn't mention pcos and didn't give me anything. so my test levels being high can cause this increase in body temp? do you think I can have something wrong with thyroid but blood didn't show yet? I don't get how someone can feel like this and not know why! its crazy to me. all these tests and I still end up with nothing? its crazy to me. the rheumy I saw said fibro, so being diagnosed with this usually means I can make changes to my life on my own, rather than take medication. I feel like after I came off those pills, my body just wasn't balanced the way its been and its crazy how it can get affected. so I have my ct scan with contrast mon morning. I will follow up then and let you know..
thanks

Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
glad US is normal

Detailed Answer:
thanks for the follow up. I am glad the US was normal. I guess it is worth repeating the thyroid tests at some point. Good luck with the CT
Dr. Robinson

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Kathy Robinson (11 minutes later)

I just don't understand. what else can this be. I get burning throat, and my head always feels hot inside. so strange. ? I cant just feel hot for no reason... but never register a fever when I take my temp. what else can this be? can you think of anything? I am going crazy thinking of this. can this be my nerves? can thyroid tests come up neg in beginning and then change? I also am feeling dizzy now.. new symptom. ?

Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (3 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
dietary changes

Detailed Answer:
I really think that if the thyroid tests, testosterone and CT are all normal you should make some major dietary changes and see if you can get rid of the problem in that way. I suggests getting rid of all dairy and gluten as a first step
Dr. Robinson

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Kathy Robinson (1 minute later)

How long do I have to be off gluten and dairy to feel a change?

Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (1 minute later)

Brief Answer:
3 months

Detailed Answer:
It usually takes about 3 weeks being off the dairy to notice a change but 3 months for the gluten

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Kathy Robinson (3 minutes later)

Yes I haven't been off that long yet, and I keep eating things with gluten in it because I don't have all gluten free foods yet. can gluten make someone feel like this? what else can they see on the ct scan that can you make you feel like this?

Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
gluten causes many things

Detailed Answer:
You will only know if it is the gluten if you try it. You will have to wait and see on the CT scan
REgards
Dr R

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Kathy Robinson (9 minutes later)

Wait on the ct scan for what? What can cause heat that can show up in ct scan? So why am I now feeling dizzy? I am on a new pill and now have my period. This is never ending ;(

Answered by Dr. Kathy Robinson (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
ask your doctors that ordered the CT scan

Detailed Answer:
You must ask your doctors that ordered the CT scan what they are looking for. I do not have that information. I can not explain your dizziness. I sincerely hope that you can find an answer to your problems
Dr Robinson

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar