Levoythroxine and progesterine birth control pills

[nlaruccia]

Does Diana 35 or other progesterine based birth control pills affect levothyroxine. My gynecologist is putting me on birth control for polycistic ovaries and says it doesn't affect levothyroxine, but I've heard things contrary to that. Is it okay to take if taken at a different time during the day than my thryoid medication?

[canny]

I had finally gotten my TSH to around 2.2 adn was on 0.025 mcg of Synthroid.  However, I was not able to lose any weight so, I think my thyroid medication needed to be increased.  Then I started the pill - on Yasmin - and after about 2 months of being on the pill I went and had my bloodwork done and my TSK had shot up to 5 -so, my endo increased the synthroid to 0.05.  I am 41 years old and the Yasmin has really helped with my irregular periods - however, I am really concerned if this is what made my TSH level go higher.  Actually, even before I started the pill (about 3 months ago) I was unable to lose any weight even though I was on a strict diet and that's when I was taking the 0.025 dosage.  I don't know if I should stop the BCP - or get the bloodwork done again - the endo had increased my synthroid to 0.05 two months ago but, the weight will still not budge - Do I stop the BCP - take more synthroid? Or, do I need to be looking at adding something else - T3 maybe?  I also thought that my TSH might have gone up because I was eating a lot of Tofu - but, I haven't touched it in two months and the weight will not budge.  Thanks!!!

[Mark Lupo, M.D.]

any BCP w/ estrogen has the potential to increase thyroxine requirement. -- would retest TSH 6-8 weeks after starting the BCP -- the timing does not matter -- it's the effect of the estrogen in the blood increasing thyroid-binding-globulin.  It's fine to take both these meds, but you are right that BCP can alter thyroid med requirements.