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432411 tn?1206472109

Depo Provera and Hypothyroid Symptoms

I was on Depo Provera for BC for 8 years with no side effects but headaches, which were manageable. Also had no periods, which was great! However, I became ill when I stopped having the injections at age 45. I experienced fatigue, joint pain and swelling, and depression. I was tested for everything from Lyme disease and Lupus, to thyroid conditons - all negative. My Dr. finally gave up and diagnosed me with Chronic Fatigue syndrome. My OBGYN ran a bone scan and diagnosed me with osteopenia, and declared me menopausal, since my periods have also not resumed. Now nearly 4 years later I am still miserable - fatigue, depression, headaches, cold all the time, and I suspect hypothyroidism. I also have learned that Depo causes bone density loss so maybe I am not menopausal. I don't mean to sound whiny and pitiful, but I can hardly remember the energetic, optimistic person that I used to be. I am sick and tired of being sick and tired! I have been searching the net and find lots of women with lots of side effects from taking Depo Provera, but I am trying to find other women who have experienced problems after QUITTING the injections.
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Avatar universal
4.5 miligrams I thinj.

Now that I remember I think I went from size 8 to sizec14, not 16, but still drastic weight gain (around 125 lbs to around 145, but even at 145 I was not large)
Now Im a bit more, but still Im not large. I havent gained weight since on synthroid.
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Avatar universal
Actually I probably went more from a size 8 to size 14 but it was still drastic weight gain.i went from like 125 pounds to about 145 very quickly.
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Avatar universal
What is your daily Synthroid dosage?  Also please post your thyroid related test results and reference ranges shown on the lab report.
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Avatar universal
Hi, I took depo for 8 years. First it cause me to gain a little weight. Then I exercised, ate sensibly (still ate whatever I liked but reasonably) and I ws thin again. Then three years later my motabolism slowed. I started eating less, exercising more. Inever tried slim fast for a short while. Every time I gotva physical my blood wss normal. I went off it and still had a slow morabolim. I wasnt fat but I use to be a size 8 and was a size 16. Then years later upon trying to get pregnsnt I was up to 163 pounds at 5 foot. I had troubke getting pregnant and got tested. My thyroid was low and I take synthroid. My weight is going down but dtill no size 8. I still eat what I want but eat small amounts and walk. I guess it was the depo. Also I noticed weight fsi  whrn I got sick once during depo,nothing serious and had a reaction to antobiotics. I got a steroid injected and alergy pills given.
        I think the reason its still around it bc its still less dangerous tgen estrogen pills and more effective tgen estrogen free pills. No risk of blood clots and I think u can even smoke on it. But I would not wish my problems on anybody.
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Avatar universal
Depo is a hormone shot for BC. The hormone injected (progesterone) causes the body to stop producing as when you're pregnant. So naturally there is some weight gain and roundness of the stomach that occurs. The body is being told it's pregnant so it tends to do what it needs to provide for the baby that does not exist. As for hypothyroidism I found out 6yrs ago by my doctor who noticed swelling around my throat sent me to do an ultrasound which showed an problem. She then sent me for a biopsy of the enlarged thyroid, which turned out to be cancerous. Thank God my prognosis was that the cancer was within and had not spread. I had a total thyroidectomy. So I have no thyroid. I have been through radiation, iodine treatments, change of doses. My levels are good now. I have been cancer free now for 6years.I have also giving birth to a handsome little boy now 4mos. Choosing Depo this go around has not been great. Im constantly spotting or bleeding. I think it has to do with my levels being of after having the baby. I assume the hormonal imbalance is causing me to bleed. So I labs to check my thyroid and from there if nothing changes depo may not be for me. I might have to look into another Bc option. But good luck to all
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Avatar universal
From looking at those symptoms I think it is very important for you to make sure the doctor adequately tests you for thyroid related issues.  I suggest that you insist that they test for TSH, Free T4, Free T3,   Since people with thyroid issues also frequently are too low in the ranges for Vitamin D, B12 and ferritin, I also highly recommend getting those done as well.  When you have test results, please post them, along with reference ranges shown on the lab report and we will be glad to help interpret and advise further.  
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