QuestionQUESTION: Does the diuretic property of YAZ interfere with quantitative blood pregnancy test results? I have had 3 negative quantitative blood tests (all less than 1 hCG), but I am worried that the diuretic in the YAZ I am taking has interfered with those results? I am unreasonably worried and need some answers to put my mind at ease.
ANSWER: Dear Keri,
No - in fact, the active ingredients in YAZ are drospirenone ("drsp") and ethinyl estradiol. The "drsp" is the progestin in YAZ and the ethinyl estradiol is the estrogen. It is a combination BCP much like any other. The difference between YAZ and the others is that it is the only 24/4-day pill with the unique hormone, "drsp", and is also approved by the FDA to treat emotional and physical premenstrual symptoms that are severe enough to impact the lives of women who choose the Pill for contraception. It's also proven to help treat moderate acne.
There is actually no additional ingredient in it classified as a diuretic. Actually, in the patient information for YAZ, it states that fluid retention is a potential side effect, as it is with any other combination BCP.
Plus, if you have had repeated hCG measurements which give levels of 1 mIU/ml, this would indicate a non-pregnant state. The effect of an actual diuretic medication, such as Lasix or HCZ, would potentially decrease the level slightly but not enough to have repeated levels at 1 mIU/ml.
I hope this has helped you and answered your question. I wish you well.
Brenda
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QUESTION: Thanks for that information. It definitely helped. I have one more question for you. I've read a few things online from women who did not test positive, even on blood tests, till they were 3, 4, 5 months along. Is that even possible? I can't be pregnant with an hCG of less than 1 from 3 quantitative blood tests, can I? Is there really a way it can't be detected?
AnswerDear Keri,
More than likely the women who are saying they had negative blood tests had qualitative blood pregnancy tests. Many women don't know there is a difference. But qualitative tests are really essentially about as accurate as a urine test. And... it really would be HIGHLY unusual to have a negative test into the 3rd month of pregnancy, let alone a 4th or 5th month. If you think about it, 3 months is 12 weeks, 4 is 16 weeks, 5 is 20 weeks! And here is the kicker in that scenario - at 13 weeks, the hCG naturally begins to decrease. The normal level for 13-16 weeks is actually less than that for 9-12 weeks. So... you can understand my hesitation is believing some of what I read from women who are sharing "personal experiences" on the internet. I tend to lean more towards scientific data and medical research as far as accuracy.
hCG is either there or it isn't. As I noted previously, there are certain meds that can decrease the results slightly, but not enough to consistently give you a result of 1 mIU/ml - a very non-pregnant result.
You have not said how late you are for a period, or if you are late at all, but there are many various causes for amenorrhea (absence of periods) - pregnancy being just one. Others can be:
-Hormonal abnormalities, which cause fluctuating levels of the hormones needed to support menstruation
-Emotional or physical stress / Depression
-Rapid weight loss or gain
-Change in diet
-Low body weight
-Obesity
-Frequent or strenuous exercise
-Cysts or tumors in the ovaries
-Thyroid or Pituitary dysfunction
-Certain medications or drug use
-Menopause OR Premature ovarian failure (menopause before age 40)
-Occasionally stopping birth control pills
The general recommendation is that if you miss three consecutive periods and pregnancy is not the reason, you should see your doctor so that a cause can be determined.
I hope that this information has helped you. Be well!
Brenda
