thyroid antibodies

[lanet]

I hope you get it figured out briss! It's really not so bad taking the medicine.

 

[louiser91]

Sorry I haven't been on here for a few weeks! I didn't really know how important it was as it doesn't jump out at you as a cause of fertility issues. I am meant to be getting a phone call this week about my thyroid antibodies and hopefully start the study/medication so I will post again and let you all know
Good luck ladies xxx

 

[Briss]

I had a chat with an endocrinologist about my raised TSH (3.79) but he did not see anything wrong with me. He said it's possible that it's a very beginning of underactive thyroid but too early to say for sure because TSh can go down and my T3 and T4 have robust levels (he would be concerned if they were on lower side of normal) and negative antibodies is also a good sign. he also examined my neck and did not find anything wrong. I told him that I am hoping to have IVF and that TSH of over 2 might be an issue but he said it should not be. easy for him to say! he would not recommend that I start taking synthetic hormone just yet. he also said not to overdo it with iodine. basically the dose that is in a multivitamin is OK but no other iodine supps or see weed supps. unfortunately, even if I am beginning to develop underactive thyroid, there is nothing I can do to stop/delay it. if it happens I just have to go on synthetic hormone and there is nothing in between that can help. He also did not think my spotting related to thyroid. when thyroid goes seriously wrong it can affect menstrual cycle but my current levels are normal.

I guess I am going to have to park this issue until I hear from my fertility clinic, they are also doing my thyroid bloods and may raise this again.

 

[lanet]

Yes it is in normal range for most drs, just not in the fertility world, so I would get tested again and listen to the fertility dr. Not a lot of drs know about the the details involved in ivf. As I just found out after getting ohss and not having a dr within 3 hours that even knows anything about it!
But you don't want to go through it all in less than perfect condition.

 

[Briss]

lanet, I am very concerned I think fertility clinics are just being too aggressive in their treatments. This endocrinologist even said that meds you take during IVF can damage thyroid and can raise your TSH (but not permanently!). I really do not know but I'd hate to get myself into any mess with thyroid unless the treatment is supervised by an endocrinologist. I do not think fertility docs understand thyroid as well as endocrinologists. but as I said, I really do not know who is right here. If I was already on the hormone I'd think differently but to me it's a questions of trying to preserve my thyroid as well as get pregnant. it's just everything is getting worse as I age I tend to discover new issues constantly so I really want to be careful. the endocrinologist said that I may never develop underactive thyroid so if I start taking the hormone basically "just in case" cos the fertility clinic feels more confident with TSH below 2 I may jeopardise my thyroid and that's for life. I just do not know

 

[lanet]

Isn't your fertility dr a reproductive endocrinologist? My tsh was rising and I was diagnosed before ever starting ivf. And I also have a family history of hypothyroid so it made sense to me.
Bottom line is you have to trust your dr, if they say it's fine then trust that.
In my case my RE wouldn't go forward with ivf if my thyroid wasnt closer to 2. And I trust her. And I feel better on the meds anyway so it wasn't a problem for me. But it's a personal decision and wise to be concerned. Best of luck no matter what you decide!

 

[lanet]

And one more thing, tsh can skyrocket during pregnancy causing miscarriage so I would just be sure to have it monitored closely.

 

[Briss]

lanet, I do not even know who my doctors is, there seem to be a different doc every time I come to the fertility clinic. I am not sure they will offer me IVF cos my FSH is high. I hope they will. I just want to be prepared if they suggest my TSH is high.

 

[Briss]

I spoke to a few ladies and one said she had pre AF spotting for 5 years until she was put on thyroid hormone and suddenly her spotting stopped!! Dealing with endocrinologists are so frustrating. Not that I want to go on the hormone but he could have at least acknowledged that these two things could be linked. her TSH was 3.4 so even slightly lower than mine. I have a feeling that endocrinologists completely ignore the fertility side of thyroid. I do not know who else I can talk to about this stuff. maybe I should see Zita West?

 

[lanet]

If you could make an appt with a reproductive endocrinologist that might help in your decision. Get some real info about how the 2 effect each other. I feel very confident in whatever my dr said and that is such a relief.

 

[Briss]

the problem is my insurance does not cover anything fertility related and it may take 6 months to wait for an NHS referral. It's so good when you can trust your doctor.

 

[lanet]

My insurance doesn't cover either, and I'm in the U.S so I don't even have another option. If I did have the option I would definitely wait for it though.