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Question by kas493: Is it possible to be on hormonal birth control with an overactive thyroid caused by Graves disease?
I am a 20 year old female who was diagnosed with Grave’s disease 4 years ago. My gynecologist told me I was not eligible for hormonal birth control because of my thyroid disease. I plan on asking my endocrinologist my next appointment. Could my endo overrule my gyno in this situation?

Best answer:

Answer by Lisa A
You can take birth control pills. Just be prepared for them to affect your thyroid levels. You will need to have your medication adjusted. Get your thyroid tested a month after starting on the pill. Have your medication adjusted. Repeat every month until you are totally stable again.

What do you think? Answer below!

Symptoms of Graves started when I was 15, got diagnosed when I was 21 (after 6 agonising years), on meds for four more years (lots of ups and downs – even more agonising), then had a total thyroidectomy. I found the whole experience very difficult and frustrating, for numerous reasons, like: the very difficult symptoms to deal with, which rape all aspects of your life; the long wait for a diagnosis; the stunning lack of information from doctors; the powerlessness; the mindblowing duration of the disease; the neverending ups and downs; the uncertainty; the fact that you have very few people, if any, who can understand, nobody to really talk to. It’s just one HUGE, frustrating rollercoaster ride. I just needed to express all this shit, but words failed me. So I made this video. For all the Gravers out there, especially the ones with late diganosis, and all the hard cases of thyroid disease. I tried to convey what it was like, how long it took (it’s a 20minute video!), all the strange feelings you get to experience, etc. For more factual information about Graves’ disease: In the description of part 2 of this video, you will find links to the best internet resources I’ve found over the years.
Video Rating: 4 / 5

The management of hyperthyroidism and escpecially Graves’disease in pregancy.

Some good websites: www.ngdf.org If you want to really understand your disease, join your local/national Graves disease/thyroid disease association and engage in its online forum. The largest English forum about Graves’ disease is this one from the (American) National Graves Disease Foundation. It is monitored by experienced people, which is a good thing, ’cause their is a lot of bad ‘disinformation’ flying around on the internet. www.mythyroid.com Very qualitative and nuanced information. www.thyroid.org.au Again, very good, but full access requires a small membership fee. gravesdiseasetimbennie.com The third section is a compilation of (a lot of) scientific extracts. www.thyroidmanager.org Thyroid disease related information directed at professionals, some very detailed sections about Graves disease. www.uptodate.com e-medicum.com Two articles about the use of anithyroid drugs. www.thyroid.org cpmcnet.columbia.edu www.endocrineweb.com Information about thyroid surgery. www.thyroid.org Follow the newest publications on thyroid disease via this montly bulletin directed at patients. medicalnewstoday.healthology.com Gail Devers talks about her battle with graves disease. .