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Thyroid and Implanon side effects

I recently had an Impanon removed after two years of side effects - excessive weight gain, depression, almost non-stop bleeding, no libido etc.

When these symptoms didn't clear entirely after removal I was investigated further and am now being treated for Hashimotos. I'm slowly feeling much better.

I'm wondering now if thyroid issues maybe the real reason some women have so many side effects from Implanon?
26 Responses
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Avatar universal
If you will please post your thyroid related test results and reference ranges shown on the lab report and also tell us about symptoms you have, we will be glad to help interpret your status and relate what we have learned about adequate treatment.  
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Avatar universal
Hi i am 29 years and i have had the implant for 8 years and now i have been diagnosed with an under active thyroid and on tablets for life. I am not happy to read that the implant can cause this and Doctors do not tell you before you get it. My neck is also swollen and i have gained a little weight and cant shift it.
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Avatar universal
Wow. I am glad that I found this site. I had the nexplanon implant put in in August 2014. For the past 7 months I have had a weird feeling in my throat it feels like a lump in my throat like I have on a choker that is too tight. I just had my implant removed May 3rd 2016. While I had the nexplanon I experienced very bad mood swings, depression, hair loss, facial hair, and acne. I am now losing weight and I think I have a thyroid problem. I have an appointment this Tues with a throat doctor. I hope we can all get to the bottom of this. If you still have your implant I highly suggest you get it removed asap.
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Avatar universal
Implanon has destroyed my social life
I used to be  so out  going  before I  had Implanon I had major  depression  haven't been able to sleep at night  major  hair lost  severe sore throat that put me in the hospital with high medical bills.swollen glands in my neck that  have  altered my appearance.I have  little  to No sex life  due  to the long  menstrual cycle. I'm so with drawn from the  world..oh,nOT, mention a huge  bold spot in the  center  of my head.. I just want my health  back..  
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Avatar universal
I Feel now like im not totally imagining my symptoms. im 23, ive had the implanon in my arm a little over three years.... in the past year and a half ive had alot of over active mood swings, emotional outbreaks i couldnt control, and i too at times felt like i was going crazy (6months prior i did have a little hair loss on the right corner frame of my hair line, thinking it was coming from stress i looked passed and it seemed to grow back) i couldnt figure out what it was that's making me feel the way i do, i just knew it wasnt normal. so i searched online.. seems i may have a Thyroid problem as well because along with the Overly depressed moments in my life, i also have extreme back and body pains, Always very tired and feeling Lowest of the low, random weight gain, over 30lbs despite any eating changes... and after coming to this site, i forgot my Birth control may have something to do with it.Whether or not it has a small part or the overall reason for all my struggles....... I'm calling my doctor first thing tomorrow and taking back my life as best as i can.
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Avatar universal
I had the implanon inserted in Oct of 2012 and by Jan of 2103, I noticed a huge bald spot on the top of my head. I went to the doctor and they blaimed it on stress and put me on an antidepressant. Several blood test were done and some came back positive for hyperthyroidism, while a week later they came back normal? A month later I went to the dermatologist and he diagnosed me with alopecia areata and gave me steriod injections. I followed up with my OBGYN and he said he had only seen one other case where the implanon caused hair loss and insisted it was taken out imediately. Within 3 months my hair had completely grew back. Now it is Dec of 2013 and I am being treated with hyperthyroidism. I know for a fact this is all because of the implanon.
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Avatar universal
I have had a overactive thyroid for bout 7 years I am 29 now an my neck has gone badly swollen since I had the implant in my arm an now my blood test say I have gone under active I am still slim havnt put any weight on really but I feel like I am getting choked by my gland I am thinking of gettin the implant taken out as my thyroid has gone nuts the implant does not help with people with thyroid problems
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Thank you so much for the infiltration! I have hypothyroidism and my ob/gyn has suggested implanon. I asked her about any possible contraindications with my thyroid medicine and she said she didn't think it would be a problem. Wow is she uninformed. Anyway, for those of you now suffering hypothyroidism, I wanted to let you know that you might consider looking into Armor thyroid pills. I was on synthroid for 6 months and although my TSH and FT3 and FT4 were normal, I still had all my symptoms: weight gain, trouble with weight loss, lethargy, hair loss. I did some research and switched to Armor, which is a natural desiccated pig thyroid as opposed to synthetic like synthroid, levothyroxine, etc. it takes about 2 months for the symptoms to abate but by a month after that, with a proper diet (calorie counting in my case, 1500 - 1800 a day) I lost 18 lbs!
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Avatar universal
From your description I suspect that you have been inadequately tested and treated for your hypothyroidism.  If you would please post your thyroid related test results and reference ranges, members can make an assessment.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I'm pretty sure the implanon does cause hypothyroidism for some people. I'm 19 and got the implanon a year ago, a month later I was bleeding excessively and started feeling exhausted all the time so barely left my room.

I thought I might be anemic I was bleeding so much. So I had a blood test and was diagnosed with an underactive thyroid. It is on the low scale which suggests I hadn't had it long which made me think the implanon was to blame.

3 months later I wasn't feeling any better even though taking 25mg of levothroxine every day and my next blood test showed I was anemic. I was put on the pill which stopped the bleeding but still had symptoms despite my thyroid levels being 'normal'.

I would get rid of the implanon as I believe it is making my thyroid symptoms worse but I had such excruciating period pains before the implanon I can't bear to go back to 'normal' periods.
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Avatar universal
There's a very similar thread on this site re Depo Provera injections and thyroid issues.

I have similar concerns. I've had Depo and now on my second Implanon and am being treated for hypothyroidism.

I am very much questioning whether there is a causal link.. My first instinct was that the Depo caused my thyroid issues.

However, I read one post that says it's more a case of the hypothyroid symptoms being "masked" by the BC hormonal treatment - and that it was there all along (just getting worse because it's untreated).

This makes some sense, because dysmenorrhea is a common symptom of thyroid conditions and is also a common reason for women to use hormonal BC methods.

I'm undecided as to what is cause and what is coincidence.

But I'm seeing my new doctor tomorrow and I have a whole bunch of new questions for her.
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Avatar universal
After two months of having my implanon inserted I was diagnosed as thyroid cancer. This doesn't prove anything, however, I think it is true that I have had mood swings and depression since the insertion. I had my thyroid completely removed and I am on synthroid and will be for the rest of my life.
Thyroid functions as a hormone balancer to keep our metabolism rate even. Since implanon isn't the only hormone contraception method out there, it may be unfair to put blame on implanon entirely. However, for those who are considering ANY kind of hormone contraception method, please keep in mind, it may disturb your stable hormone cycle, which may lead to metabolism problems and mood swings.
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I've been on a variety of birth controls since the age of 13 and at 19 my dr told me about the implanon and how it lasts 3 years and a simple procedure. It all sounded great so I went ahead and got it.
After 6 months I had constant mood swing , abnormal bleeding , headaches , and constantly fatigue, depression,anxiety and anger issues.I went back to the dr and she told me it takes about a year to fully set in my body. It was hard but I waited it out. I also gained 20lb so I was Determined to lose the weight.
Two years into having the implanon I was diagnosed with hypothyroid and went onto taking synthroid . I thought since my Mother had it , it was just genetics . About 5 months before my birth control was time to he removed I felt more myself , no mood swings , happy , no depression , less anger and no bleeding at all. I decided to get the implanon again in sept thinking since I had it in for 3 years I wouldn't have to go through all the trouble like the first time. But as of now , things are horrible. I'm bleeding, cramping all the time. Rapid heart rate, crazy anger / mood swings that's just out of my control , it's so hard to lose weight , always tired , not motivated. And it's really starting to affect my relationships with my boyfriend , friends an family. But I question if its a good thing to remove this , how long will it take for my body to be normal again? Will I always have thyroid problems? I'm only 23 and taking 88mkg of synthroid. As I got diagnosed when I was 21. Is that normal ? Most of all, will my mood swings go away ?
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Avatar universal
   gave birth December 29th, 2011
   Implanon inserted end of February 2012
   doc visit in June, complaints of tiredness, headaches, dizziness, unable to sleep, eating ALL THE TIME, weight loss, muscle weakness
   July 2012 classified as severe hyperthyroidism, doc strongly suggests I have my thyroid shot up with radioactive iodine to permantly fix thyroid which will put me on medicine for the rest of my life.
   My mom, the wonderful nurse, did some research and found forums like this. I just did my uptake test today so when the doc calls back with the results I will be asking to have this Implanon removed!
   To everyone else with these issues......Good Luck!
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Avatar universal
Im only 20 and also have an underactive thyroid and also have the implant in. I have thought often that this is the cause of my underactive thyroid but dont think doctors would even consider this factor. It made sence to me when i read my leaflet it said pregnant people often get underactive thryoids during pregnancys due to hormones... And with the implant we are getting these hormones put into our bodys it angers me that doctors do not consider our points. I have complained to male doctors about extreme tiredness and regular periods for 2 years and only recently the female doctor took me on and tested me for underactive thyroid i am still convinced this is due to the implant!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Im only 20 and also have an underactive thyroid and also have the implant in. I have thought often that this is the cause of my underactive thyroid but dont think doctors would even consider this factor. It made sence to me when i read my leaflet it said pregnant people often get underactive thryoids during pregnancys due to hormones... And with the implant we are getting these hormones put into our bodys it angers me that doctors do not consider our points. I have complained to male doctors about extreme tiredness and regular periods for 2 years and only recently the female doctor took me on and tested me for underactive thyroid i am still convinced this is due to the implant!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had an implanon inserted when it first came out when I was 18. I remember it driving me crazy!!This was 9 years ago and I got it removed after 8 months. I was always a happy teen but then got really miserable and was put on anti depressants but I knew even after 2 weeks that this wasn't what was wrong. I then got diagnosed with HYPOTHYROIDISM and put on thyroxine but my medication dose has just increased so the condition is worsening. I am suspicious that the condition could be a side effect of the implanon. I am currently doing a bachelor of HEALTH SCIENCE and knowing how the endocrine system works and the causes of thyriod disorders, it could be possible although I can't say on a cellular level how the implanon works and what glands it actually stimulates. As you can imagine, a scientific study into this problem would be EXTREMELY difficult as thyroid disorders are considered to be genetic. whether the implanon is responsible for activating the genes that cause the disease is hard to test on many levels. Also implanting the rod and seeing who would develop the disease is unethical not to mention the limitations and the variables you would need to control for! ERRKK! After FDA approval there would have to be a number of convincing studies to determine the side effect in order for it to be recognised let alone have the implanon disapproved. TOTALLY ***** THAT I HAVE TO TAKE MEDS FOR THE REST OF MY LIFE!!( I have tried to stop them but end up really sick and mildly depressed)
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Avatar universal
I am 33 years old and just had the Implanon removed from my arm in July after 3 years.  Got a call from my doctor on Monday and was informed that II have Hypothyroidism.  Will be on thyroid medication for the rest of my life because it no longer works. I'm thinking that the Implanon destroyed my thyroid.  
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
My name is Angela and I too experience the troublesome effects of implanon. I got it inserted in August 2009 but asked to remove it April 2010 when I could no longer accept the affects of the implanon. I got the implant while having my cycle. A couple weeks later, my cycle came on and it stayed on until I got it removed. Once removed, my cycle diminished until May. I thought that this was a normal cycle comes back about two weeks later. So ended up having two cycles in May and June. Once July came, I think I had a week of freedom with minimal spotting before my cycle came back full blast. Well, I was bleeding for three weeks and a couple days. I had very tender breast and a little nausea. I could not later accept the bleeding because of my emotional state so I called my OB GYN to request an appointment. Prior to getting the implanon removed in April 2010, I had hair breakage which eventually lead to my hair falling out. I had to got to my dermatologist and he prescribe me some cream, shampoo and some other pills to take. I had very long hair and had to cut it off because it was falling out so bad. My breats stayed very sore. I didn't gain weight but I couldn't lose the weight left on me by the depro shot. After the implant was removed, I felt 10000 percent better. It's amazing. I went through all of this and I was a newly wed. Yeah, valuable time wasn't spent with my new husband and now that I've had it removed and begin enjoying my husband, I get hit with the irregular and constant cycles. I would never tell anyone to use this product. I was not properly informed of the many side effects. I was told that the only thing to worry about was irregular bleeding but that it should go away by three months of being on the product. Well, I was bleeding for eight months while on the implanon and still bleeding as my body try to normalize itself (I think). I would never ever place anything in my body that shouldn't be there. I would not endorse this product because it leaves women broken with many crazy symptoms...i.e....constant to severe headaches, painful cramping, prolonged bleeding beyond three months, bloating, depression, mood changes like nothing before and anger. I would defintely check out another dermatologist and make him aware of the product you were on to clear up the hair loss.
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1378151 tn?1278974306
HELLO EVERYONE:) MY NAME IS TONI. I AM A 19YR. OLD OUTTA ALABAMA wHO IS DEALING wITH HAIR LOSS. DOCTORS SAY ITS ALOPECIA AND THEY ARE BLAMMING IT ON STRESS, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION. AND I THINK NOT! I GRADUATED SCHOOL MAY 2009 AND MET THE LOVE OF MY LIFE THE FOLLOwING OCTOBER. I CAN'T RECALL COMPLAINING ABOUT ANYTHING IN MY LIFE BESIDES THE IMPLANON AND HAIR LOSS. I HAD THE IMPLANON INSERTED APRIL 2009. I wAS HAVING EXTREME BLEEDING, (THAT DIDN'T STOP UNTIL I GOT IT TAKEN OUT ) ACNE, BIPOLAR MOOD SwINGS, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, BACK PAIN, LOw B-12 AND EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS. I HAD THE IMPLANON FOR 7 MONTHS AND NEVER SAw ANY GOOD SIGNS FROM IT. wHEN GETTING IT TAKEN OUT THEY HAD DIFFICULTIES AND HAD TO CUT A LARGER INSISTION AND SNATCH THE ROD OUT BECAUSE IT wAS wRAPPED wITH SCARE TISSUE. THE wHOLE TIME THE DOCTOR HAD A CONFUSED LOOK (LIKE A BIG ? MARK). HE TOLD ME IT wAS INSERTED wRONG. AFTER THE REMOVAL I STILL HAVE THE SAME SIDE EFFECTS, BUT MY CYCLE IS BACK TO NORMAL. THAN 4 MONTHS LATER MY BOYFRIEND FOUND A NICKEL SIZE BALD SPOT ON MY HEAD. THATS wHEN MY FAMILY DOCTOR SAID IT wAS ALOPECIA AND PUT ME ON ANXIETY PILLS, VITAMIN B-12, AND STERIOD CREAMS. I STOP USING BOTH THE ANXIETY PILLS AND STERIOD CREAM AFTER BAD EXPERIMENT wITH BOTH OF THEM.  ITS BEEN ALMOST 5 MONTHS AND I'M STILL LOSSING HAIR. THE NICKEL SIZE BALD SPOT IS LARGER THAN 3 QuarterS. I HAVE SOME GROwTH FROM THE STERIOD CREAMS BUT THE HAIRS ARE COMING BACK wHITE AND THEY GET ABOUT AN INCH BEFORE THEY START TO BREAK OFF AND FALL OUT AGAIN. I JUST RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT ALL MY PROBLEMS COULD BE COMING FROM THE IMPLANON, SO I wANTED TO SEE IF THERE wERE ANY RELATED STORIES LIKE MINE AND IF SO wE ALL NEED TO TAKE A STAND!
THANK YOU ALL,
TONI M. FOSTER

p.s. i posted my picture that was taken just a few weeks after the insertion of the implanon, so you can see how long and beautiful AND healthy my hair use to be. also the acne was just starting around this time.

also i'd like to add that in march i had a thyroid test done and ringHELLO EVERYONE:) MY NAME IS TONI. I AM A 19YR. OLD OUTTA ALABAMA wHO IS DEALING wITH HAIR LOSS. DOCTORS SAY ITS ALOPECIA AND THEY ARE BLAMMING IT ON STRESS, ANXIETY, AND DEPRESSION. AND I THINK NOT! I GRADUATED SCHOOL MAY 2009 AND MET THE LOVE OF MY LIFE THE FOLLOwING OCTOBER. I CAN'T RECALL COMPLAINING ABOUT ANYTHING IN MY LIFE BESIDES THE IMPLANON AND HAIR LOSS. I HAD THE IMPLANON INSERTED APRIL 2009. I wAS HAVING EXTREME BLEEDING, (THAT DIDN'T STOP UNTIL I GOT IT TAKEN OUT ) ACNE, BIPOLAR MOOD SwINGS, DEPRESSION, ANXIETY, BACK PAIN, LOw B-12 AND EMOTIONAL PROBLEMS. I HAD THE IMPLANON FOR 7 MONTHS AND NEVER SAw ANY GOOD SIGNS FROM IT. wHEN GETTING IT TAKEN OUT THEY HAD DIFFICULTIES AND HAD TO CUT A LARGER INSISTION AND SNATCH THE ROD OUT BECAUSE IT wAS wRAPPED wITH SCARE TISSUE. THE wHOLE TIME THE DOCTOR HAD A CONFUSED LOOK (LIKE A BIG ? MARK). HE TOLD ME IT wAS INSERTED wRONG. AFTER THE REMOVAL I STILL HAVE THE SAME SIDE EFFECTS, BUT MY CYCLE IS BACK TO NORMAL. THAN 4 MONTHS LATER MY BOYFRIEND FOUND A NICKEL SIZE BALD SPOT ON MY HEAD. THATS wHEN MY FAMILY DOCTOR SAID IT wAS ALOPECIA AND PUT ME ON ANXIETY PILLS, VITAMIN B-12, AND STERIOD CREAMS. I STOP USING BOTH THE ANXIETY PILLS AND STERIOD CREAM AFTER BAD EXPERIMENT wITH BOTH OF THEM.  ITS BEEN ALMOST 5 MONTHS AND I'M STILL LOSSING HAIR. THE NICKEL SIZE BALD SPOT IS LARGER THAN 3 QuarterS. I HAVE SOME GROwTH FROM THE STERIOD CREAMS BUT THE HAIRS ARE COMING BACK wHITE AND THEY GET ABOUT AN INCH BEFORE THEY START TO BREAK OFF AND FALL OUT AGAIN. I JUST RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT ALL MY PROBLEMS COULD BE COMING FROM THE IMPLANON, SO I wANTED TO SEE IF THERE wERE ANY RELATED STORIES LIKE MINE AND IF SO wE ALL NEED TO TAKE A STAND!
THANK YOU ALL,
TONI M. FOSTER

p.s. i posted my picture that was taken just a few weeks after the insertion of the implanon, so you can see how long and beautiful AND healthy my hair use to be. also the acne was just starting around this time

also i would like to add that i had a thyroid test and ringworm test and both came back negative. my story relates to all of the above!
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
Hi,I had the implanon put in May 2009, and have gotten it taking out January 5, 2010. I gained 30lb and became very depressed. At first i thought it was great! never had a period, but the past 3 weeks every other day i would have my period. I started reading reviews, and found out that all the other sympthoms i was having too. low sex drive, acne "which i never had a problem with in my entire 23 years" extreme wieght gain, which was  put on very fast,very bad mood swings, and deep depression. Mainly about the wieght issue. I was wondering if anyone knew if the wieght comes off after removal? or is it going to be something that i am going to have to work very hard at!
Please get back to me a.s.a.p. ***@****
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Avatar universal
hiya i had the implanon in for 7 years...for the first 6 months it was great no periods etc then i became so physically drained and tired i was never out of bed. I was diagnosed with narcolepsy, however when i put 2 and 2 together i realised it could have been the implanon...i had it took out about 5 months ago and had nothing but trouble. Initially i felt wide awake and fantastic and my periods returned straite away but i decided to find out if it was the implanon and not narcolepsy. I asked for blood tests at my doctours and had hormone ones done and im waiting to go back now as they have come back worryingly. I suspect it could be what others are feeling as in 7 years my weight has plumited from 11 stone to 15 stone...i am 5ft 10. I can not shift the weight no matter how i try and still feel ill...i have also had hair loss over 7 years and when the implanon came out. I am depressed and bored with life...no sex drive to the extent ive been single for 5 years now....jus cant be botherd. I have a son who is 10 and i want to be able to enjoy life with him but i just cant. I really hope people thinking about having the implant in reconsider as it has damaged me and ruined my life up to now.
nikki
Helpful - 0
Avatar universal
I had the Implanon Implant put in just under two years ago. I immediately knew something was not right as my hormones went all over the place, I was in floods of tears and very mood swingy. My doctor insisted this had NOTHING to do with the implant as it was supposed to be much milder than being on the pill.

I was diagnosed with depression but despite being on meds continued to worsen rapidly. I have always been healthy but despite a good diet, at 5ft 6" my weight dipped to under 90lbs. I was eventually diagnosed with Hyperactive Thyroid many months later. None of the doctors made any connection between the implant and the thyroid.

My case was so severe it took about 7 months for me to recover from. I have frequently been in and out of hospital with my overactive thyroid (an illness that really makes you feel like you are losing your mind) and was in such despair I tried to take my own life on numerous occasions.

Now I hear from another Implanon user that she has had thyroid issues since getting the implant. I am almost certain the two are inter-linked and am just surprised and disappointed that none of the doctors or endocrinologists have considered this. Had I been warned of the risks I would have reconsidered my choice of contraception. If there is any kind of link between thyroid and implanon I feel so strongly that there should be information available on it, especially for women who may be genetically prone to thyroid disorders.
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1 Comments
I have hyperthyroidism also and I'm confuse if I'm going to try the world impanon
676032 tn?1315674063
I think Im going through the same thing. Im 21 and had the implanon in for over 2 years. I thought it was the best thing ever untill I got depressed, I bled nearly all the time which drove me insane. Had NO sex drive what so ever. I went to the doctor and got blood tests done and found to be bordering an underactive thryoid. Iv loads of symptoms. Emotional, depressed, feel like **** al the time. I tink its safe to say Im goin crazy. I cant stand much more of it dont no if Im coming or going! My poor boyfriend is gettin worried to. And I think Im losing my hair...
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