[concrnhusd]

#1018397

My wife has GD and is undercontrol with doctor’s care. She is currently off birth control pills because it triggers the disease. I’ve read in some case the pill might. She also thinks the disease may counter act with the pill. Is this true?

Concerned Husband

[Kimberly]

#1064509

Hello – Thanks for joining us…sorry to hear about your wife’s diagnosis. ” title=”Sad” />

Those of us that contract an autoimmune disease have a common genetic defect…so the *origin* of autoimmunity is genetic. However, it is believed that some sort of "trigger" turns this genetic predisposition into an actual autoimmune disease. The trigger could be emotional stress, physical trauma, a virus, or something in the environment. So I can’t say for sure whether the birth control pills had anything to do with your wife’s Graves’.

To my knowledge, Graves’ does not reduce the effectiveness of the birth control pills. However, one thing that your wife should be aware of is that when patients are taking birth control pills, the medication can "bind" a certain amount of thyroid hormone, thus making it inactive. So if your wife stops taking the pills, she could actually feel an increase in hypER symptoms, because suddenly there will be more "Free" hormone circulating in her system.

I applaud you for researching all you can about this disease. Graves’ can cause changes in libido and can often put the patient on an emotional rollercoaster ride, which is definitely stressful for spouses to deal with. You might be interested in one of our articles called "An open letter to husbands of Graves’ Patients". Go to our home page at http://www.ngdf.org, click on "publications", then click on "psychosocial & emotional effects".

Please feel free to ask questions here…and we would love to have your wife join us as well!

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