Yasmin & Yaz Survivors

Joined: 09 Feb 2011 Posts: 50 : Items

Hi Ladies,

I've been doing a bit of research on Thyroid hormone imbalances and I seem to have atleast 90% of the symptons leading to a thyroid issue. I don't know whether it's worth getting it checked out as I know the majority of us go through these symptoms post yasmin and I've seen a few posts on the thyroid issue where women have had the test but results have all come back fine.

So is this just a process I should wait out, or would anyone suggest that I do get it checked out?? I would be so grateful for your opinions!

K x

Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Posts: 665 : Items

K,
I would suggest you to run a thyroid test if you have not done so.
Whether the result is -ve or +ve, at least you are aware of your situation. I hate to admit that I have all the thyroid symptoms with me during my bad days but yet results are normal. Some of the symptoms coming off Yasmin somehow mimic thyroid symptoms for a certain period of time as our thyroid glands working hard to balance off hormones when weaning from synthetic hormones. So for some, they will experience the mild thyroid symptoms as we recover.

Leni

Joined: 09 Feb 2011 Posts: 50 : Items

Hi Leni, Thanks for your reply. I know this must sound completely stupid, but what does the test involve and how is it done?! I'm only asking as I've found a few websites regarding this and it's majorly confused me lol! Like most people, I hate going to the doctors and am terrified of hospitals so I've been putting off going for so long! I also cannot be bothered with the doctors trying to convince me that all these side effects couldn't have possibly been caused by Yasmin... Rolling Eyes

K x

Joined: 27 Apr 2007 Posts: 665 : Items

K, you only need a simple blood test to check on T3, T4 & TSH. I understand how you feel, I too have lost trust with them but yet can't live without them sometimes Razz

Joined: 11 Oct 2010 Posts: 252 : Items

Hey K4,
Here is a good website that explains the testing process and what the results mean:

http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/tsh/test.html

Joined: 25 Mar 2011 Posts: 17 : Items

Hi everyone. I have been of Yaz for 2 1/2 months and have since developed a goiter and have had my thyroid tested 3 times since then. The first and the third test were normal, but the second one was .18 which indicates hyperthyroid activity. Ive seen an endocronologist who wants to test me again in a couple of weeks. He predicts I have Hasimoto's disease and that my hyperthyroid will switch to hypothyroid. But we are going to do another test to be sure thats what will happen.

I do have hypothyroidism in my family, but was healthy as a horse up until quitting the BCP's. He acknowledged the possibility that quitting them could have triggered this dormant hereditary disease.

This whole thing adds insult to injury for me because I quit taking the BCP's in the first place because my husband and I wanted to try for a baby. The doctor says not to worry about the thyroid, and that I can be pregnant and can be treated for it and everything will be fine. But I feel so awful (because of the Yaz withdrawls I think) that I worry about being too unstable emotionally and physically to carry a child, let alone care for one. So dissapointed. . . want to feel better before having a baby but I worry that day may never come.

Will keep you all posted about what happens with my thyroid though.

Joined: 09 Feb 2011 Posts: 50 : Items

Well I've finally booked an appointment with my doctor, I'm off to have my thyroid tested this afternoon and to tell her all about this post Yasmin ordeal! wish me luck! I'll update you all when I have results etc and on what they say about Yasmin!

K x

Joined: 25 Mar 2011 Posts: 17 : Items

Hi all- I wanted to give an update. I have actually been feeling pretty good and symptom free now for about 18 days. I had a fourth thyroid test a few days ago and just saw the endocrinologist. My TSH went from .60 (last time) to 6.70 this time. He said I have Hasimoto's thyroiditis- a particular kind that comes on as Hyperthyroid for a couple of months and then drops off into permanent Hypothyroidism. He put me on synthroid and insists that I am hypothyroid now and have no chance of it returning to normal.

I am so wary of taking more hormones and am worried that I will just be come more and more dependent on them over time. I am still wondering if this is still because of the YAZ and wonder if these results are just my body adjusting and maybe they will return to normal again. But I also have hypothyroidism in my family so maybe the doc is right?? I've also heard that BC's can mask thyroid problems. In the mean time I feel I have no choice but to just start the meds. . . I really don't want to though.

Joined: 26 Jun 2010 Posts: 98 : Items

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Joined: 11 Oct 2010 Posts: 252 : Items

Robobin-

I hate to say it, but left untreated hypothyroidism can lead to some VERY serious health problems. As a result of taking yaz, I've become very much anti-hormones too but I'd really hate for something to happen to you. You could try Armour(if you're in the US) or Westhroid(if you're in canada.) Those are a form of natural hormone replacement therapy taken from pig thyroid.

I would say maybe wait a little to see what your next blood test says. How long have you been off? I've been off for eight months and at first I was subclinically hyperthyroid. Mine has gone back to "normal" now. But if it runs in your family, there might be a chance the doc is right. Sad

Joined: 25 Mar 2011 Posts: 17 : Items

Lindseybee-

I have been off Yaz for 3 months now. I have had a total of 4 blood tests. The first was normal, the second was low: .18 (hyper), the third normal, and the fourth: 6.70 (hypo). I have never heard of Amour. I know there are plant based hormones, but I don't know how effective they are. My mom became hypo after menopause and all her hormones she takes are plant based from a natureopath. I'm considering that as an option in the future.

Despite me apprehension, I took my first levothyroxine today. I am starting at 25mg and they move me up from there. I just hope I can stay at a low dosage without dealing with the ups and downs of being tired all the time.

When you were sub-clinically hyperthyroid how did you treat it? Or did it just go away on its own? Have you been tested since then?

After reading the symptoms all the women in the yaz forum have been having (like mine) and the fact that their thyroid tests are coming back normal, I encourage everyone to keep tracking it. Get a few blood tests and see an endocrinologist. Because like I mentioned, 2 of my 4 blood tests were normal before I got officially diagnosed.

Anyway Lindsey, thank you for your encouragement. I am going to take the medicine in the mean time and see if it makes me feel better and if my levels go down.

Joined: 11 Oct 2010 Posts: 252 : Items

Mine just went away on it's own. I'm still tracking it every three or so months just to be safe though. My latest test was two weeks ago and I'm still waiting to see exactly what it is even though I was told everything was fine.

The amount of time you've been off does make me question whether it is the yaz or not because your dx came so soon after being off. Did the doctor measure your thyroid antibodies? Usually those with hashimotos will have antibodies.

If it's any consolation, I have a neighbor with hypothyroidism and she is 80 now. She has been on synthroid for years and has never complained of anything health-wise.

Joined: 25 Mar 2011 Posts: 17 : Items

No, he didn't do the antibodies because I have a small goiter and he was so "absolutely positive" that I had the antibodies that went along with Hasi's that he didn't even need to check. He just did a regular TSH and a Free T4. The TSH was 6.7 and the T4 was barely within range.

I know what you mean about your neighbor. Both my grandmothers had Hypothyroidism. One lived to be 76 and the other is 74 and has been on synthroid since she was 30 with no problem. They say that one in 10 people (mostly women) have a thyroid problem.

It's just so hard for me to accept because I'm a health/fitness nut, am going to school to be a dietitian, and am very anti-pharmaceutical or anything unnatural. I really don't want to be on a drug the rest of my life. But I guess that's life telling me that I can't always have my way eh?

In the meantime, I have stocked up on all the vitamins and superfoods I need to help the situation (or at least keep my levels from getting worse). I go back in five weeks after another TSH test to see how I'm doing.