Can Levest Cause Weight Loss?

Posted on Fri, 21 Apr 2017

Question: I have an underactive thyroid and it seems I am losing weight only if i'm taking the birth control pill (Levest). I lost 18 kg in 1 year, stopped the pill, gain back everything in 1 year, start again levest 4 months ago and I lost 8 kg so far, no diet , I eat eat normally without restriction at all. I would like to know why am I losing weight only by taking the birth control pill?

Answered by Dr. Mirjeta Guni (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
About losing weight during Levest treatment;

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
I read your concern carefully.

Loosing weight is not commonly seen during the treatment with contraceptive pills, in contrary, the estrogen that it contains causes weight gain in most of the cases due to water retention.

Weight loss may be caused by liver toxicity (a serious side effect) and I would suggest to check the liver enzymes (AST, ALT) during the treatment. If increased, you may need to stop the pills.

I would suggest to check also TSH level and adjust the dose of Levothyroxine according to it's result.

Please discuss this with your doctor.

Let me know if I can assist you further.

Regards,
Dr.Mirjeta

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee