Depo Provera and Hypothyroid Symptoms

[beachmom915]

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.

[redheadaussie]

Depo Provera has been cited in many legal cases. It is not the recommended birth control any longer, however many doctors still think it is wonderful.

Your doctor says you are menopausal based on the bone scan, or just included the symptoms and decided you are menopausal?
Lack of bone is more often caused by lack of calcium AND lack of Vit D. Many who are hypo have that problem.
The only diffinitive testing for true menopause is at least 3 tests of FSH over at least 2 months. FSH being Follicle Stimulating Hormone. The higher the number the more likely your pituitary is trying to stimulate the ovary to release an egg. No eggs, the higher the FSH.

Often what happens is the birth control can mimic or mask hypo symptoms and many are treated as twits for complaining. The doctors will dismiss the fatigue etc as just part and parcel of being on the hormones of the birth control.

Depo Provera will not cause hypo but it often comes along at the same time as having it. A bit of a cross over pattern. You can often mark something as being a cause when something happened at the same time.  Like we often forget how we got a bruise but if you fell at the store and had a bruise you remember it. Hence getting the Depo you note more symptoms but the Depo is not the cause just happens to be at the same time.

Anyway, get tested by the doctor properly for menopause. Depo can STOP periods for up to FIVE years even after removal of the implant!
Get tested for calcium and Vit D and get proper full thyroid function tests.
Cheers

[CENG]

I think doctors should explain the complications of even possibly having low thyroid levels after taking Depo Provera instead of hair loss/ weight gain. I was only 18 2 years ago when I had the shot and never had another shot afterwards. Yeah it was the easiest BC and I didn't have to worry about a thing for 3 months but now I have to take Synthroid every day for the rest of my life. That was the worst thing I could have ever done to my body. These kind of BC shouldn't be handed out so easily to young girls. It should be only be used as last resort when other types of BC have been ruled out. I wish doctors would talk more about this type of complication before giving the medication to such young girls.

[CENG]

I think doctors should explain the complications of even possibly having low thyroid levels after taking Depo Provera instead of hair loss/ weight gain. I was only 18 2 years ago when I had the shot and never had another shot afterwards. Yeah it was the easiest BC and I didn't have to worry about a thing for 3 months but now I have to take Synthroid every day for the rest of my life. That was the worst thing I could have ever done to my body. These kind of BC shouldn't be handed out so easily to young girls. It should be only be used as last resort when other types of BC have been ruled out. I wish doctors would talk more about this type of complication before giving the medication to such young girls.

[gimel]

Happened to remember this link and thought you might also find it interesting.

http://www.holtorfmed.com/index.php?section=downloads&file_id=16

It is too bad that the researcher did not also evaluate the effect of Free T3 on obesity.  I think the correlation would be even more amazing.

[gimel]

Definitely there are answers, if you look hard enough.  I'm glad you joined us on the Thyroid Forum.  I get so frustrated at seeing and hearing from so many people that have low metabolism/weight problems but are told by their doctors that they only need to "eat less and exercise more, and I'll see you for another office call in 6 months or a year".  Why is is so difficult to fully explore other possibilities and confirm the real cause?

Anyway, on the possibility that it might be thyroid related, have you ever been tested for thyroid issues?  If so, please post the tests results and reference ranges shown on the lab report if you have them.  If not, then you should request testing for the biologically active thyroid hormones, Free T3 and Free T4, along with TSH that they always test.  If the doctor resists testing for Free T3 and Free T4, then you should insist on it and don't take no for an answer.  There are numerous other tests that may become advisable, if your test results indicate hypothyroidism.  But we can talk about those later.  

If you look at this link showing 26 typical hypothyroid symptoms, which do you have?  It might also be a good idea to make a copy and mark the ones you have and take the copy to your doctor when you go for testing.  

http://endocrine-system.emedtv.com/hypothyroidism/hypothyroidism-symptoms-and-signs.html


There are lots of other things we need to talk about, but probably premature to get into all that until you get the testing done.  Just hang with us and you'll find loads of support and info from the many experienced and knowledgeable members here.  When test results are available, please get a copy of the report and post results and their reference ranges  and members will be glad to help interpret and advise further.  

[potbellypig]

I have been on and off depo. for ten years.  I have asked various docs across two countries for help with understanding how it is that with normal thyroid tests, I have not just gained weight, but a twin!!  My body mass should be 56 bmi ways, and I've shot up to 104kg in 12 months.  I've been told I'm lazy, I corrected my already labour intensive days, I was told I'm cheating on eating, I'm on a very strict nutritional diet with supplements and don't cheat. I was told I need to have more sex - funny ha ha when you have no libido!  I've been told so many ridiculous things by "professionals" that I am my wits end.  I believe that the depo has had an affect on my thyroid and I want to stop taking it as I feel it may have a "reverse affect" - but after reading all your notes - I"m not sure what to think.  Muscle pain, joint inflamation etc. was diagnosed by one doctor as Fibromyalgia - which in context of my family history could be true - but the massive weight gain must have it's own answer.  I feel I'm losing the battle to live, I can't even breathe when I bend over to tie my shoes - which I find I can't any more.  Even a walk on level land is a mission.  Is there an answer?