Mirena causing thyroid problems? 
#86260
17 y
8,935
R Warning
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I posted a few times over the past week or so, but to recap my specific problems, I had Mirena in place for nearly 3 years when I had a sudden onset of symptoms/side effects. These included dizzy spells, light-headedness, general fatigue, constant dull uterine cramping with intermittent sharp pains, associated low back pain, and hot flashes. When they didn't subside after a couple weeks I made an appointment with my OB/GYN. Then, the morning of my appointment I also developed slight vaginal itching.
She first did a urine pregnancy test, which was negative, but found an increase of white cells. On physical exam she discovered that I had a yeast infection in my uterus, which was now coming down into the vagina, thus causing the itching, cramping and low back pain. At this point I told her I'd had enough (this would make at least 3 or 4 yeast infections since having Mirena inserted versus 1 over my entire lifetime up until insertion), and I told her I wanted it out. She said that was great, it would be easier to treat the infection that way, and within a minute it was gone. However she was concerned that the infection would not explain my light-headedness or fatigue so she wanted to draw some blood.
The next day she called with the results of my blood work, which showed my thyroid stimulating hormone level to be slightly out of the range of normal (5.4 with 0.3 to 5.1 being normal). She said the official diagnosis is subacute hypothyroidism and this would definitely cause the symptoms I was having, as well as constipation (which thankfully I have not experienced). She said we could begin treatment or we could wait and recheck my blood after a short period of time. I decided to wait a bit to let the hormones from Mirena get out of my system and see if I felt any better, or see if this might resolve on its own now that Mirena is out.
I'm curious to find out if anyone else has had these symptoms or had the same or a similar diagnosis. Thyroid problems do not run in my family so I'm very interested to find out of there is a link to Mirena.- Re: Mirena causing thyroid problems? loulou26573
17 y
7,286
MoreThis is a reply to # 1,005,636hi there, I had almost exactly the same problems - except nothing showed up in my bloodwork. Now I've had mirena out I feel a million times better. The fatigue, sudden loss of energy etc has almost gone. No doctor ever said to me that my preblems were mirena-related, it was just the only thing I could think of. It takes a while but in a few months you should feel better. Good luck x
- Re: Mirena causing thyroid problems? Kabel
17 y
7,469
This is a reply to # 1,005,636hi, we have had quite a few women on here over the last few pages who have had thyroid type symptoms, hair loss, lack of energy etc. some have had it even get worse since mirena came out, so i do think there is some link between thyroid and mirena and that maybe the chemical in mirena mucks up some people's systems in the long term - there has been no official testing, to my knowledge, of what effects mirena has on thyroid, but there are too many people who have similar things happen for it to be coincidence, i feel. the light headedness is a definate side effect of mirena, as is the lack of energy, but who can say it is a side effect because of the levonorgesterol itself or because the levonorgesterol is causing a thyroid imbalance?? Either way, you have done the right thing to get mirena out and to start letting your body begin to rebalance itself again. It takes a good 3 months for the hormones to get right again, up to 6 months for some people, so if your blood tests will wait 3 months or so, that would give you a clearer picture.
hot flushes are often produced by the body trying to pump out too much estrogen to counteract the high progesterone levels in the body from mirena and as such, i wouldnt worry too much about that side of things. They should settle down soon. i had them after mirena removal, but they are all gone now. I do hope that things sort themselves out for you, without you needing further treatment. Do let us know how you get on. I really think this thyroid link is something we need to keep an eye on and may be much more common than we realise, because many women have not had a blood test and wouldn't know if they had a thyroid imbalance or not after mirena usage, they just know that they have or have had certain symptoms. I will be keeping my fingers crossed for you:) Take care x- Re: Mirena causing thyroid problems? G8ORGIRL01
10 y
5,538
This is a reply to # 1,006,886I am on my 2nd Mirena and have loved not having my cycles however being diagnosed with Hypothyroidism since being on Mirena I have had so many battles to deal with weight gain, fatigue, hair loss, headaches, body pain, hot flashes. Recently I made a lifestyle change of regular exercise and clean eating and still weight is an issue. I have lost some and some inches but the battle is real. We are re-balancing my meds for thyroid but the doctor suggested it might be the Mirena after doing some research I found side affects from Mirena are the same as thyroid as well. Now I have my blood checked regularly for the thyroid and nothing would have shown me the Mirena. After Thanksgiving my Gyno will be getting a call to remove it. I have had unexplained swelling in hands in feet, bloating, doubled over pains in stomach at times and I am prepared to deal with a monthly cycle if it will provide me with getting rid if the issues.
Found an article for natural urban mama in this same issue if you look it up.
- Re: Mirena causing thyroid problems? G8ORGIRL01
10 y
5,538
- Re: Mirena causing thyroid problems? loulou26573
17 y
7,286
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