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Can Femilon Affect Thyroid Function Test Results?
Question: I am 26. I have been taking femilon as ocp measure (as prescribed by a gynecologist after my marriage) for last 15 months. four months back i had undergone a thiroid level test which shown tsh level as 11.5. The current doctor prescribed eltroxin-100mg daily one tablet. my husband to go out of town and i had stopped femilon for last two and half months. after two month period from when i started to take the eltroxin period i had another blood test which shown my tsh level as 0.221. however i have started taking pill after my husband's return and had another blood test for tsh and free t4. free t4 was within limit whereas tsh level shown to be 11.4 this time. Is femilon creating any disturbance in my thiroid stimulating hormone level?
Brief Answer:
BC PILLS CAN ELEVATE TSH LEVEL FALSELY.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
Estrogen containing birth control pills (like FEMILON) can affect thyroid function test results. Estrogen increases a particular protein that binds thyroid hormone to it, making the thyroid hormone partially inactive.
Thyroid tests can show falsely increased total T-4 levels. TSH is a measure of thyroid hormone function. Therefore, birth control pill could be responsible for ELEVATION of TSH level.
If you do not have any symptoms, it is NOT necessary to continue thyroid hormone replacement (ELTROXIN), but monitoring of your TSH levels in the future would be advisable.
If symptoms of hypothyroidism develop including fatigue, lethargy, weight gain, decreased appetite, cold intolerance, dry skin, hair loss, muscle pain, joint pain, depression, constipation, menstrual disturbances and impaired fertility, then you may require thyroid hormone replacement (ELTROXIN).
However, DOSE adjustment is required while you are taking birth control pill and you would allow at least 6 hours between any BC pill (contains estrogen) and your thyroid med. Kindly, consult with your doctor regarding this.
Hope, it helps for your information. Kindly, close the discussion if you don't have any other query.
Wish your good health and take care yourself.
Regards,
Dr Soumen
For future query, you can directly approach me through
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=63326
BC PILLS CAN ELEVATE TSH LEVEL FALSELY.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for writing to us.
Estrogen containing birth control pills (like FEMILON) can affect thyroid function test results. Estrogen increases a particular protein that binds thyroid hormone to it, making the thyroid hormone partially inactive.
Thyroid tests can show falsely increased total T-4 levels. TSH is a measure of thyroid hormone function. Therefore, birth control pill could be responsible for ELEVATION of TSH level.
If you do not have any symptoms, it is NOT necessary to continue thyroid hormone replacement (ELTROXIN), but monitoring of your TSH levels in the future would be advisable.
If symptoms of hypothyroidism develop including fatigue, lethargy, weight gain, decreased appetite, cold intolerance, dry skin, hair loss, muscle pain, joint pain, depression, constipation, menstrual disturbances and impaired fertility, then you may require thyroid hormone replacement (ELTROXIN).
However, DOSE adjustment is required while you are taking birth control pill and you would allow at least 6 hours between any BC pill (contains estrogen) and your thyroid med. Kindly, consult with your doctor regarding this.
Hope, it helps for your information. Kindly, close the discussion if you don't have any other query.
Wish your good health and take care yourself.
Regards,
Dr Soumen
For future query, you can directly approach me through
http://doctor.healthcaremagic.com/Funnel?page=askDoctorDirectly&docId=63326
Note: For more information on hormonal imbalance symptoms or unmanaged diabetes with other comorbid conditions, get back to us & Consult with an Endocrinologist. Click here to book an appointment.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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