Hypothyroidism and TTC. Need advice, please help!!

[Courtney917]

Last week I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism, my TSH level was 5. My doctor put me on meds immediately as I am actively TtC and already had 4 miscarriages. We now assume that the miscarriages are due to my elevated thyroid levels. My doctor said I don't need to put TTC on hold as my levels weren't too high and the medicine should be able to provide adequate balance. I'm now 6dpo and have been on meds for close to a week. I feel better, not as tired and many of the other symptoms seem to be disapating. Now my question is....how long does it generally take for thyroid levels to balance out? I'm so scared that I'm pregnant again and will miscarry if my levels didn't decrease much. Plus I've been reading that thyroid levels can increase a lot in early pregnancy!!! My doc isn't sending me for bloodwork for another 5 weeks! This seems like a long time since I am TTC. What does everyone think? I'm driving myself nuts looking for answers :-/.

 

[Blondhopeful]

Listen to your doctor. I was borderline hypothyroid and put on the lowest dose of synthroid in May. I started feeling less fatigued at about 2 weeks. My doctor told me the full effects of the drug would not kick in for 4-6 weeks. She rechecked 6 weeks later. if your doctor says not to wait, then don't. Have fun and try to stay positive. Wishing you lots of luck and sending baby your way

 

[CZECHMEOUT]

Did you have your free t4 checked? this is what you really have to keep an eye on during pregnancy as the baby relies on your FT4 until they begin producing it. Most people have to increase their medication during pregnancy to deal with this. If the pregnancy depletes your ft4 and the baby doesn't get enough ft4 hormone, this is seriously bad for the baby. As for your TSH, its not THAT high and will probably be normal by the next time you're tested especially since you're already feeling better. Let's hope anyways. Good luck to you!! Maybe you'll be pregnant by the time your labs are due!!

 

[Courtney917]

Thanks everyone. Yeah I am borderline, so its not too bad. I'm just scared that I'm pregnant and my levels will go up prior to getting my labs done. I guess I'm being overly paranoid bc all my miscarriages occurred at 4 weeks. They did check my T4 free....I'm not sure what those levels were, I'm going to ask once I get the results of my Day 21 progesterone. I'm assuming they aren't great though. She put me on 50 mcg of the meds. I'm soooo hoping I'm pregnant soon!!! It's been such a long road. We have been ttc for close to a year and I keep miscarrying, its so sad.

For you ladies, what are your TSH levels and what should my T4 be? Have your levels caused you difficult to concieve?

Thanks so much for your replies this is all so new to me. Of course I Google questions I have which just makes things worse bc I read horror stories of women going through hypo being put on meds then becoming hyper. I need to stop doing that lol.

 

[Fizzyfefe]

Hi Courtney! :wave: I, too, have hypothyroidism, but as I have not fallen pregnant yet, I cannot offer advice. Just know that I am here if you need support! My endocrinologist said thyroid levels must be normal before you can TTC, and then once you get pregnant, let him know immediately because the dose has to be adjusted.

 

[Courtney917]

Hi Courtney! :wave: I, too, have hypothyroidism, but as I have not fallen pregnant yet, I cannot offer advice. Just know that I am here if you need support! My endocrinologist said thyroid levels must be normal before you can TTC, and then once you get pregnant, let him know immediately because the dose has to be adjusted.

Hey!!! Ok thanks! Me too, I'm here for support as well . How high are your thyroid levels? So if I fall pregnant I should immediately call my doc to have levels adjusted?

 

[Fizzyfefe]

Not sure, to be honest. After I got my blood drawn, they gave me the results over the phone and said they were normal (and of course I didn't think to ask them what exactly the levels were). But, I've been suffering from thyroid issues since 2006. I had hyperthyroidism, was given radioactive iodine to kill my thyroid, and now have subsequent hypothyroidism. Been on pills ever since! My current dose is 125 mcg per day, but I had been on 100 mcg last year. I had a dose change in December 2011, and they were normal in May 2012. Doctor said it would take anywhere between 1 - 2 months for my body to completely adjust to the new dose.

Not sure if you know exactly how thyroid hormones work, but here is the gist of it: TRH, or thyrotropin-releasing hormone, is released from your hypothalamus to stimulate your pituitary gland to make TSH, or thyroid-stimulating hormone. TSH causes the formation of the hormones T3 and T4 in your blood. A person with hypothyroidism will have high TSH levels and low T3/T4 levels, because the brain detects that there are low levels of T3/T4 and will continue to make TSH in order to make more T3/T4. But the T3/T4 are still too low, so the brain keeps putting out TSH. I hope this makes sense. T3 an T4 are mostly responsible for metabolism, so they are extremely important whether or not you are pregnant.

Here are the normal levels for TSH, T3, and T4 according to my nursing text book:
Serum T3: 70 - 205 ng/dL or 1.2 - 3.4 SI units
Serum T4: 4 - 12 mcg/dL or 51 - 154 SI units
Free T4 index: 0.8 - 2.4 ng/dL or 10 - 31 SI units
TSH: 2 - 10 muU/mL or 2 - 10 SI units

Yes, definitely call your doc! Your need for thyroid hormone increases because the embryo cannot make their own during the first trimester. He told me that as soon as I get pregnant that I would need to take two pills on Sunday and one pill Monday through Saturday, but your doctor may have different instructions for you.

 

[Courtney917]

Oh ok I see. Wow so you're completely dependent on meds bc you don't have a thyroid gland. I heard that hyper is worse then hypo. Not sure if its true or not but I was reading that its easier to treat people with hypo especially during pregnancy.

Thanks so much for the explanation, I wasn't totally sure how it all works. I know my metabolism pretty much sucks as I have gained weight for no reason and am having so much trouble losing it. Since being on the meds I haven't gained anything which is good!!

I suppose my levels aren't too bad. I just hope they go down quickly. I'm so tired of getting pregnant and losing it by 4 weeks.

I guess the positive thing is that I'm able to conceive and I now know what was causing all the miscarriages. However my obsession now is my thyroid levels. I just got my day 21 progesterone levels done bc my ob wanted to make sure I'm ovulating and that they're not too low. She said the thyroid issue could affect my progesterone levels as well. So we will see how that goes.

Do they know why u developed this? I don't have a family history of it. I have been under a lot of stress so I'm not sure if that contributed to it. I suppose ill never know!

Keeping my fingers crossed that you'll get ur bfp soon!!!!

 

[CZECHMEOUT]

I can't really comment on true hypothyroidism---I have what they call subclinical hypothyroidism, have been now for almost 3 years. My FT4 is always normal but my TSH is all over the place. It has been up to 25. Right now it is 3 so I'm hoping it will stay there. I guess at that point I would be considered hypothyroid. I am also on 50mcg. I just saw a new RE yesterday and he said thyroid medication is the one drug that you should never buy the generic. I have been taking levothyroxine so he called me in a script for synthroid. Don't know what you are taking but wanted to share that just in case. He said the generic drugs have a 10% variation meaning you aren't always getting the same amount. Anyways, he also checked my prolactin level, waiting for those results now. He said thyroid problems can raise the prolactin. He also did tell me that we would have to monitor the levels closely once pregnant.

He did also comment on TSH delaying conception and causing higher risk of miscarriage. Hopefully, now that you're on meds you won't have that problem anymore. That must be so horrible. I just can't imagine. I've never been pregnant but I already worry about miscarriage. Especially since my TSH cannot be controlled at this point. Its weird to say but true hypothyroidism would be a blessing for me right now. Anyways, I sure hope your levels get normal quickly. OH, BTW, the normal TSH range for the lab I work in is 0.3-2.5.

Good luck!!

 

[Courtney917]

I'm on the generic, I have heard that you should always take brand name as well. So that makes me a little nervous. Wow as high as 25?! Mine was 5...so I am still low. My ob checked my prolactin and luckily it was normal...I just had my progesterone checked, I am waiting on the results. I'm hoping my levels have gone down, waiting 4 weeks to find out is driving me nuts especially since we are actively TTC.

It pretty much sucks bc I know I can conceive, I know when I do the babies are healthy yet my body has been killing them. There's no other way to put it! I am hoping I finally have my answer!

I am thinking of trying to get a referral to a endo bc I feel they are the ones that can properly handle my diagnosis. Especially since I am TTC.

Thanks so much for sharing your knowledge of hypo. I wish you nothing but luck on your TTC journey!! You're actively trying now right?

 

[CZECHMEOUT]

Are you seeing a GP? I would definitely try to see an RE or AT LEAST an internal medicine doctor. They seem to know a little more about this stuff. Yea my TSH has been 25 but then will be right back down to 7, its been ridiculous. Thats really good that you caught it and its not that high. It shouldn't take long to get it normal. Did your doctor tell you to take your meds in the morning before eating? Also you shouldn't take it with any kind of iron. I've been taking prenatals for awhile now thinking I would be pregnant way before now and I take them in the afternoon for this reason.

We have been actively trying since January although I wasn't ovulating at that point. I was on the depo shot for many years since I have endometriosis and came off it April 2011. My cycles started to regulate by February but I couldn't confirm ovulation in Feb or Mar. I work 6 shifts a week at 2 hospitals, a mixture of evenings and nights, so I couldn't temp some days. Back then, if I couldn't temp at the same time of day, I didnt temp. Now I temp any time of day as long as I've had at least 3-4 hrs of sleep and it works for me. May not be as pretty a chart, but I can decipher what I need to. Anyways, I went on to do 3 months of clomid, ovulated REALLY hard, no pregnancy. I go for post-coital test next week, don't really have high hopes for that. I've kind of done one myself at work---I have microscope access Yea, all his little guys were dead sooooo at least I won't be let down when it fails. Will also do an ultrasound to check ovulation. Then we plan on a laparoscopy next month to remove more endo.

You'll have to keep me posted about your situation. I bet you are pregnant in a month or two. I just noticed that you're 8dpo, right? When are you going to test? Heck you may be pregnant now! Your levels have probably already changed some---- you already feeling better since you started meds means alot. try not to stress

 

[Fizzyfefe]

Oh ok I see. Wow so you're completely dependent on meds bc you don't have a thyroid gland. I heard that hyper is worse then hypo. Not sure if its true or not but I was reading that its easier to treat people with hypo especially during pregnancy.

Thanks so much for the explanation, I wasn't totally sure how it all works. I know my metabolism pretty much sucks as I have gained weight for no reason and am having so much trouble losing it. Since being on the meds I haven't gained anything which is good!!

I suppose my levels aren't too bad. I just hope they go down quickly. I'm so tired of getting pregnant and losing it by 4 weeks.

I guess the positive thing is that I'm able to conceive and I now know what was causing all the miscarriages. However my obsession now is my thyroid levels. I just got my day 21 progesterone levels done bc my ob wanted to make sure I'm ovulating and that they're not too low. She said the thyroid issue could affect my progesterone levels as well. So we will see how that goes.

Do they know why u developed this? I don't have a family history of it. I have been under a lot of stress so I'm not sure if that contributed to it. I suppose ill never know!

Keeping my fingers crossed that you'll get ur bfp soon!!!!

Well, when I was hyperthyroid, I had palpitations, my eyes popped out of my head, and I could eat anything I wanted without gaining a pound. Now, with hypothyroidism, I've put on an excessive amount of weight and can't lose it, my hair falls out, and I'm fatigued. Haha, so they're both pretty bad, just depending on how you look at it.

Not sure why I got it. I had Grave's disease with the hyperthyroidism, which is an autoimmune disease, but it doesn't run in my family. My mother and grandmother both have hypothyroidism, so who knows?

Let us know how your progesterone levels are! I hope they are perfect!

 

[Fizzyfefe]

Oh right, forgot to mention that my doctor also told me the exact same thing that Czech said. Definitely go for the name brand! It's more expensive, but more reliable, and you can better control your levels that way.

 

[Courtney917]

I'm getting all my meds from my obgyn. I just got my progesterone levels and they are 9....which is low. I have yet to speak w my actual doctor which is pissing me off. I keep talking TO the receptionist and all I'm told are my levels and nothing more....like how this is affecting my fertility etc. The secretary told me to take 100 mg of progesterone suppositores bc my levels are borderline low. Um okay....shouldn't I be speaking to my doctor?! I'm going to another doctor today that specializes in fertility so we will see how that goes. I'm so scared that I am pregnant and with low progesterone I will miscarry again. How about you ladies....have u had your progesterone levels checked? It's sad but I learn more on here then from my doctor! All my levels have been screwed up and she hasn't even had the decency to speak with me!

Ugh totally relate to the hair falling out....mine keeps coming out. I'm do afraid of being 600 lbs and bald lol!!! I have to find some amount of humor or I'm gonna lose my mind!!! I have stopped gaining weight but I'm NOT losing despite exercise and eating salad ALL the time...ugh.

I'm going to ask about the name brand tonight when I go.

I don't know what i would do without u ladies, thanks so much for the support! Sharing ur stories helps me realize that I'm not alone. Should I ask for an HCG test tonight to make sure I'm not pregnant? I'm so scared of these Damn progesterone levels!!!!!

 

[CZECHMEOUT]

I've never spoken with a doctor regarding prog levels. However, its my understanding that a low prog on CD21 means you failed to ovulate. How are your cycles? Do you chart? Do you think you ovulate? Do you know how long your luteal phase is? If you've been hypothyroid and not ovulating because of it, it makes sense to me to fix that problem before going on to prog supplement. They may not be neccesary if you started ovulating again on your own once the thyroid issue is taken care of. You need to talk to an actual doctor. Thats just ridiculous that you have to talk to the receptionist. I really hope you get some answers soon.

As for me, I've never had my prog checked. Once I had a hormone panel done and progesterone was the only one they didnt do. How much sense does that make? I don't go there anymore. Anyways, my luteal phase is normal (about 12-13 days) so my progesterone should be ok.

 

[Fizzyfefe]

I'm getting all my meds from my obgyn. I just got my progesterone levels and they are 9....which is low. I have yet to speak w my actual doctor which is pissing me off. I keep talking TO the receptionist and all I'm told are my levels and nothing more....like how this is affecting my fertility etc. The secretary told me to take 100 mg of progesterone suppositores bc my levels are borderline low. Um okay....shouldn't I be speaking to my doctor?! I'm going to another doctor today that specializes in fertility so we will see how that goes. I'm so scared that I am pregnant and with low progesterone I will miscarry again. How about you ladies....have u had your progesterone levels checked? It's sad but I learn more on here then from my doctor! All my levels have been screwed up and she hasn't even had the decency to speak with me!

Ugh totally relate to the hair falling out....mine keeps coming out. I'm do afraid of being 600 lbs and bald lol!!! I have to find some amount of humor or I'm gonna lose my mind!!! I have stopped gaining weight but I'm NOT losing despite exercise and eating salad ALL the time...ugh.

I'm going to ask about the name brand tonight when I go.

I don't know what i would do without u ladies, thanks so much for the support! Sharing ur stories helps me realize that I'm not alone. Should I ask for an HCG test tonight to make sure I'm not pregnant? I'm so scared of these Damn progesterone levels!!!!!

Firstly, I would definitely ask for an hCG test just in case. It can't hurt, and if you are pregnant, then they would definitely have a different approach to what will happen next in your treatment.

Secondly, no, I have never had my progesterone levels checked. I am still looking for a doctor, and I will be asking them to test every single hormone in my blood until we find out why my cycles are irregular.

Thirdly, I am the same way! I eat way more fruits and veggies than I ever have before, I switched to whole wheat pastas and bread, and I exercise. Still nothing! No weight loss, nada. It's so bothersome!

 

[Courtney917]

Well ladies took a pregnancy test yesterday and got a very, very, very faint positive. My doc put me on progesterone suppositories....100 mg at bedtime. Im worried that its not enough. My last pregnancy that I miscarried I was put on the 100 mg and miscarried despite taking it. I'm throwing around taking 200 mg on my own just as a precaution but I'm afraid too! I'm Sooo nervous that ill miscarry again. I suppose its good that I got a faint positive at 8-9 dpo as many women never get this.

They aren't adjusting my thyroid meds yet....they said ive only been on it for such a short while that I need to get used to it before they make adjustments. My doc also put me on 81 mg of Bhutan aspirin which I have been taking since 1 dpo.

Last night I went to the Dr and he is thinking that I have PCOS. So he wants to test Me for that if I don't hold onto this pregnancy. Ugh Soo stressed....please keep me in your prayers...I hope this baby sticks!!!

Czech--my luteneal phase is also normal..usually ovulate on day 14 but my levels are still borderline low. Normal for a pregnancy is 12....and after ovulation they like to see at least a 10, I was at 9 so very borderline.

 

[Courtney917]

Fizzy--yep I would def have everything checked!! My doc said that hypo can sometimes contribute to PCOS. So get checked for everything!!!! Ugh yea fruits and veggies come out of my ear lol. I just want to be back to myself again!! It's Soo frustrating. I'm hoping my TSH levels balanced out especially now that I'm preggers. My fox.said if they didn't balance out I could possibly miscarry again

 

[Fizzyfefe]

Ahh! So happy that you got your BFP!

Did you tell your doctor that you were on that same dosage last time?

 

[CZECHMEOUT]

Sounds like you're doing all you can do right now. Both problems cause higher risk of miscarriage and you're treating both the best you can. I certainly hope it works this time. Just remember, things happen for a reason. Also, I'm sooooo happy for you!! Try not to stress and think happy thoughts! You're doing all you can and you deserve this after all you've been through. Best of luck to you for the next 9 months!!