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When you look at conventional U.S. healthcare, doctors are so, so, so specialized. What that means is that there can be a perception that each of our body’s systems functions independently. But in reality, that could not be farther from the truth.
Your thyroid is proof of this. The little butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck has a huge impact on many other systems in the body, and many other systems and organs impact it, as well. Watch
this video for a crash course on how the thyroid works.
Hormonal birth control is one of those things that while we may think it only helps us manage pregnancy, but it actually also impacts the thyroid.
Now, there are lots of different types of birth control on the market. What we’re talking about today is any contraceptive that gives you additional estrogen and/or progesterone to stop conception.
So,
how does hormonal birth control impact the thyroid?
Hormonal birth control is synthetic, so it is very inflammatory. Inflammation is bad because it can make our body unable to absorb all of the nutrients that we need (more on that later!). It can also cause a decrease in sensitivity in our thyroid receptors, making them not function properly.
If you have hypothyroidism, this increased inflammation can throw your body into an auto-immune response,
leading to Hashimoto’s. If you already have Hashimoto’s (which about 90% of people with hypothyroidism actually do have, whether they know it or not), then the inflammation from the birth control can make the symptoms of this disorder even worse. It’s a truly vicious cycle.
Birth control pills in particular can lead to a leaky gut, which is when particles leak through the intestinal lining. This again creates an inflammatory response.
Beyond just the inflammation,
the gut and thyroid are directly connected. Hormones are metabolized in our digestive system, so if the gut isn’t functioning properly, then neither is the thyroid. For example: if there’s a big enough imbalance in the gut flora, then it can get in the way of your thyroid converting inactive T4 to active T3. About 20% of the active T3 we use comes from the gut, so if this isn’t happening the way it should, it can be disastrous.
Long-term use of hormonal birth control can also lead to deficiencies of essential nutrients, including vitamins B6 and B12, as well as selenium, folate, and zinc.
Selenium is used in thyroid hormone conversion. If you’re deficient in it because of hormonal birth control, then you won’t be able to convert your thyroid hormones properly.
So, hormonal birth control can cause inflammation, which can lead to a leaky gut, bringing along a whole wack of health issues, including a slowed-down thyroid.
The good news is that if you have to be on birth control, there are a number of hormone-free contraceptives available on the market today.
If you don’t need to be on a contraceptive, then it could be worthwhile slowly coming off of it, especially if you have a slow thyroid.
Either way, speak with your doctor or health care practitioner to determine the best options for you and your body.
Phone: (314) 226-3137