The Connection Between Blood Clots And Hormones

Why are blood clots a listed side effect of birth control?

About 20 million American women use hormonal contraception and most women are unaware of the fact that blood clotting is a listed side effect.

Why? Synthetic estrogen is often used in birth control and estrogens can increase coagulation by modulating the synthesis of coagulation factors through:

• Altering liver function
• Altering endothelial proliferation (Healthy endothelial cells express antiplatelet and anticoagulant agents that prevent platelet aggregation and fibrin formation)
• Lowering the rate of venous flow

The relative risk of thrombosis (blood clotting) in newer birth control pills is five to sevenfold compared to non-users of hormonal contraception.

Hypothyroid people often have abnormally viscous blood

Thyroid hormone excess or deficit can change blood.

Hypothyroid people tend to have abnormally viscous blood (viscous blood is more prone to clotting). Thyroid hormones have a crucial role in proliferation of blood cells. Thyroid dysfunction can induce different effects on blood cells such as anemia, erythrocytosis leukopenia, and thrombocytopenia.

"Red cell aggregation and blood viscosity especially at shear-rates below 10/sec increased significantly in hypothyroid patients." Thyroid therapy has been shown to resolve blood and plasma viscosity issues.

What else is going on?

• Lifestyle choices can play a major role in blood clotting.
• Stress.
• Calcium plays a strong role in blood coagulation.
• Serotonin released from platelets can cause blood clotting.

Evidence-based Solutions:

• Progesterone normalizes blood clotting.
• Magnesium has been shown to decrease the effects of blood blotting in vitro.
• Thyroid therapy has been shown to improve abnormal bleeding.
• Vitamin D.
• Changes in lifestyle, food, etc.