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Post by brussie on Nov 10, 2011 18:07:32 GMT -5
Disturbedme, Have you looked into the Mirena? It is progestin only, so wouldn't have any effects on cholesterol (as far as I know). My doctors are pushing the Mirena over the mini-pill since it is the same hormone (progestin) just less of it (and therefore generally has fewer hormonal side effects). I'm scared of the idea of having an IUD installed in my already-sore uterus, but I think I'm going to risk it. It can't be worse than that horrible copper IUD that I had! Also, the Mirena does increase your risk of ovarian cysts, but my OBGYN has assured me that it only increases "simple" cysts, not endometriomas which are "complex" cysts. Simple cysts can actually be reabsorbed by your body (so they aren't guaranteed to rupture) and generally don't grow as large as endometriomas can. I've been pouring through the IUD boards here and I've come to the conclusion that it is almost impossible to predict your results based on those of others. We're all so individual hormonally, structurally, etc. that reactions seem to vary dramatically between ladies. I feel like doctors should be more honest about this when prescribing bc. They should have to say, "You might get no side effects or you might get every single one. No one knows!"
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Post by firefly76 on Sept 16, 2012 9:17:07 GMT -5
I believe it does raise your cholesterol. I have had high cholesterol since I was put on bp and they kept saying it was family history of being high. So i stopped my bp and was tested again and came back within normal range. I did this a few times to try and prove my point with the doctor, but still the same old answers.
I have lost some weight and eating a little bit healthier and going to go back on bp pills and just hope my levels don't go up to high :/
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Post by Karen on Sept 16, 2012 9:47:20 GMT -5
Firefly - any chance you had your thyroid tested while you were on BC? I've read a lot about cholesterol/thyroid, and often times, being on BC lowers thyroid function. Since the thyroid hormone is a critical step in converting cholesterol into other hormones, I'm wondering if the link between higher cholesterol and BC has to do with the thyroid. If you go back on BC, might be worth having your thyroid levels (TSH, free T3, free T4) tested both before and after you go on. That might help your theory with your doc! Some docs are oblivious to the link between the two, but years ago, that's how they treated high cholesterol - with thyroid supplementation!
I'm not on BC anymore - swore it off a few years ago - but my cholesterol was still high. It dropped 50 points in maybe 6 months just by getting my thyroid properly treated...
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Post by crazycatlady on Nov 8, 2012 16:39:26 GMT -5
Interesting. I'm hypothyroid and have high cholesterol. Once I started taking Armour thyroid and my hypothyroidism was under control my cholesterol dropped 30 points. I have mirena now but haven't had my cholesterol re-tested. I see my thyroid specialist in a couple weeks so if she checks my cholesterol I'll post the number.
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Post by Karen on Nov 8, 2012 20:57:39 GMT -5
Interesting. I'm hypothyroid and have high cholesterol. Once I started taking Armour thyroid and my hypothyroidism was under control my cholesterol dropped 30 points. Pretty cool, huh? Back in the day, when people had high cholesterol, they'd treat with thyroid hormone instead of statins!
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