Thyroid-related infertility...again!

[Crgiron]

I'm 26 trying to Concieve for over 5 yrs been told it's Pcos treated w/ birth control blah blah been on progesterone and clomid and nothing I came across this and just went through my lab work and was told my tsh is 2.370 and it's normal and lately I've been having excessive hair growth and numbing hands ! By reading this has really opened my eyes something maybe wrong with my thyroid .

 

[mandy1971]

Hi this is an interesting thread. I've started a few threads around the simillar lines to this.
I have thyroid antibodies, tsh currently at 4.01 my gp started me on thyroxine 25mcg 4 weeks ago, tsh is down slightly so he has doubled up my dose to 50mcg..
I've had 3 miscarriages(most recently nov 2010) all at 5 weeks, and had a spell of 9 months where i did not concieve..
Now I have mentioned my thyroid several times to a gyneacologist, 2 fertility experts and several gps(from the same practice>) and all have tld me the thyroid would not cause my miscarriages or the infetility.. as I am 39 yrs old they are probably putting this down to my age and my falling amh levels...Not until I armed myself with some literature and from reading others experiences on baby and bump did I feel thoroughly empowered and confident again to discuss the subject with my current gp, who so far has been completely understanding and interested in what I have to say.
I have currently just started my first iui... due to have the insemination next friday, god willing we will get our sticky bean very soon.
I think it would be a good idea to start a thread specific to hypothyroid and thyroid antibodies..
certainly it would be very encouraging to see how many others on the forum, manage to get their bfp and carry to term....

 

[stacey3690]

hey guys im reading your messages and you said that anywhere between 1 and 2 is normal ive just recieved my results and she said it was 2.1 would this make it harder for me if not possible to concieve please help lol ...x

 

[Hollybush75]

hey guys im reading your messages and you said that anywhere between 1 and 2 is normal ive just recieved my results and she said it was 2.1 would this make it harder for me if not possible to concieve please help lol ...x

I conceived pg 3 when my TSH was at 11.1 and pg 4 when my TSH was at 9.4..... I did lose them however it's not impossible to conceive when TSH is high.

 

[amanda77]

Argh!!! So I just found out that, just as with the first time I was TTC, my thyroid is out of whack and, almost certainly, the reason I haven't been getting pregnant these last 5 months.
I'm so frustrated. I know I should be happy because, if things go the same was that they did last time, I should get pregnant quickly once my thyroid is regulated. But I just found out that two of my close friends are expecting (and actually pretty far along!), so I'm just feeling down.
I PRAY that I can regulate my thyroid quickly and then get pregnant again.

Ladies, please please please LISTEN TO ME. If you've been TTC for a few months and aren't pregnant, PLEASE go and ask your doctor for a thyroid test. It is easy and just simple blood test. SO SO many women have thyroid-related infertility. You wouldn't believe it. What you also have to do is ask your doctor if you can hae a copy of the results "for your records". If the doc says no, just insist. And if they still refuse, then at the very least, you should tell them that you want to know the exact results.

Please note that most labs still use old reference ranges. They say that your thyroid is normal if your TSH is between 0.5 and 5.0. But the truth is that most women cannot get pregnant if their TSH is outside of the 1.0 and 2.0 range. That means that, for instance, my TSH just came back with a level of 4.8. That means that, technically, my thyroid is "normal", but if I believed that, I would NEVER EVER get pregnant. I cannot get pregnant unless I am between 1.0 and 2.0. The first time I was TTC, I had to fire TWO doctors who refused to treat my "normal" thyroid. Finally, the third doctor understood me and treated my thyroid. AS SOON as my thyroid was between 1.0 and 2.0, I got pregnant THAT WEEK!

Hi CapitalChick - I have a question for you....

Why aren't you on medication for thyroid issues since you had a problem in the past? Did your thyroid regulate on its on and medication is no longer needed?

I have hypothyroidism and I take Synthroid and have for about 2 years now. My TSH levels are great. My regular doc and my OBGYN told me that I would have to take the meds for the rest of my life because once you take a med to stimulate the thyroid gland it stops working on it's on (or at least reduces the production of the thyroid hormone). They both also reiterated the importance of the thyroid gland in pregnancy.

Just curious as to your case......

 

[ann89]

This is intresting! I got my thyroid checked last month and I called the Dr. for the results and a nurse called me back saying my thyroid is running VERY well that it was almost overactive? And I thought overactive was bad. I havn't had a normal postpartum period since my daughter only one induced by meds. But I'm going back July 6th and 8th for a pap smear and for my period. Maybe I can get the actual lab results.

 

[Hope39]

I just got my thyroid results today, 9.27.

I am hoping this is why i have had 3 mmc and the last pregnancy took 7 months to conceive

 

[DarlingMe]

I just got my thyroid results today, 9.27.

I am hoping this is why i have had 3 mmc and the last pregnancy took 7 months to conceive

That sounds like a promising theory! I am sure a month of thyroid meds will get you straightened out. Good luck!

 

[ms.hope]

thanks for this -- I will look into this for sure to make sure all my basis are covered. Just a question wpuldn't a fertility Dr. be keen to this info? or not? do they usually look at this as a possibility for not conceiving? I am supposed to see my fertility dr. end of month. Also when u do get pregnant do you keep taking the thyroid medication?

 

[DarlingMe]

thanks for this -- I will look into this for sure to make sure all my basis are covered. Just a question wpuldn't a fertility Dr. be keen to this info? or not? do they usually look at this as a possibility for not conceiving? I am supposed to see my fertility dr. end of month. Also when u do get pregnant do you keep taking the thyroid medication?

They will check your thyroid. The problem is US & UK levels for "normal" TSH are something like 0.5-4.0. Most new endocrinologists and new research has shown that the number should be around 1-2.5. I know the American endocrine doctors association (or whatever they are called!) recomends the new numbers but most old school docs and non-endo docs go by the labs values. The insurance companies, social security, and Medicare doesnt agree with changing it b/c that means more people will need treatment, so higher costs. If your level is off you should mention to your doc & bring him proof in case of new levels.
And yes if your levels are off you take thyroid meds safely through TTC, pregnancy, and BF. The mwda are synthetic forms of natural hormones so they are safe.

 

[Hope39]

thanks for this -- I will look into this for sure to make sure all my basis are covered. Just a question wpuldn't a fertility Dr. be keen to this info? or not? do they usually look at this as a possibility for not conceiving? I am supposed to see my fertility dr. end of month. Also when u do get pregnant do you keep taking the thyroid medication?

I'm still learning all about it but yes i have to take levothyroxine for life now

Once i get pregnant i will need my levels checking more frequently to check they are stable

I also now qualify for a medical exemption certificate so i won't have to pay for any prescriptions! Bonus i suppose

 

[ashknowsbest]

So this post really got me interested because I keep telling my OH and my mother that I think I have a thyroid problem because I haven't been able to get pregnant and it's been over a year now. I have yet to diagnosed with PCOS or any other issue that could prevent pregnancy or make it really hard.

I just had an MRI of my brain done yesterday to check my pituitary gland. Just wondering if anyone else has had this done. My doctor ordered it because he said if I have a tumor (they're always benign!!!! thank god!) but if i do have a tumor on my pituitary gland that could be the cause for me not being able to get pregnant because it causes all of your levels for prolactin and thyroid to be out of wack...

Just curious if anyone has also had that done or if your doctors have only done blood work.

And if I do have something wrong with my thyroid or prolactin levels is it easy to fix? Are there horrible side effects while taking the medication?

Sorry for the rant ... just very excited I came across a post like this!

 

[Hope39]

One of the girls on here suggested i had my thyroid checked out, i would never have thought of having it done. I didn't really realise i may have symtoms of an underactive thryoid

I have read on here that fertility specialists recommend your thyroid levels should be 1-2, mine are 9.27!

I am now taking levothyroxine for life so yes its easily treated

The girl that recommended it got pregnant the month after starting medication

xx

 

[Angel baby]

I just found out mine was 3.45 but since it was on the high normal my doctor order free T4 today. I have enlarged Thyroid though so I have to follow up with the endocrine doctor to make sure no nodules etc. I've been little frustrated about mine even though it's not as high as yours because TTC range I read everywhere says 1-2. So... Guess I'll wait on the T4 and go from there

 

[DarlingMe]

So this post really got me interested because I keep telling my OH and my mother that I think I have a thyroid problem because I haven't been able to get pregnant and it's been over a year now. I have yet to diagnosed with PCOS or any other issue that could prevent pregnancy or make it really hard.

I just had an MRI of my brain done yesterday to check my pituitary gland. Just wondering if anyone else has had this done. My doctor ordered it because he said if I have a tumor (they're always benign!!!! thank god!) but if i do have a tumor on my pituitary gland that could be the cause for me not being able to get pregnant because it causes all of your levels for prolactin and thyroid to be out of wack...

Just curious if anyone has also had that done or if your doctors have only done blood work.

And if I do have something wrong with my thyroid or prolactin levels is it easy
to fix? Are there horrible side effects while taking the medication?

Sorry for the rant ... just very excited I came across a post like this!

I had the MRI done a couple years ago for irregular periods, like only 3-4/year and nipple/colostrum discharge (prior to pregnancy). The MRI was negative but yes if a pituitary adenoma is found then it seems like they try to correct the levels with meds which also shrink the growth. I work with a girl who has this and has been TTC for 3+ years. She is also very overweight so the combo of the two may be the problem. Not sure of side effects.

The thyroid levels being off is very common and treated with meds and frequent blood levels. Most people who start on thyroid pills feel great once the correct dose is found. They realize things improving that they didn't evEn know were wrong! Hope you find an answer!

 

[Nimyra]

I'm on levothyroxine (Synthroid) for a borderline hypothyroid. I got pregnant while my levels were medicated to under TSH of 2 (close to 1). After having my daughter and while I was breastfeeding the postpartum hormones really affected my thyroid functioning and I went off medication altogether to keep my levels from being too low.

After about 6-8 months I went back on levothyroxine and have recently gotten my dose increased as I was having more fatigue. Currently my levels are between 1 and 2 and hoping to get pregnant again.

Just as an aside - acupuncture can help regulate slightly off thyroid levels so if your doctor isn't being responsive, that's another avenue to try.

 

[FrankieGirl16]

Hi,
I have pcos and am newly pregnant. I found out today from the nurse at my RE office that my thyroid level is 5.6. They are putting me on medication (synthroid or something.) They are starting me at 100 mcg everyday, but on Mondays and Thursdays I'm supposed to take two pills (200 mcg). Does this seem accurate for dosage when pregnant. My mom and mother in law both have hypothyroidism thought it seemed high. But they said they start high and then monitor me and can lower it if need be. They said it won't cause any harm to the baby and it will help with the chance of miscarriage. Is the chance of mc increased when one has hypothyroid?

Thanks,

 

[Hope39]

Hi,
I have pcos and am newly pregnant. I found out today from the nurse at my RE office that my thyroid level is 5.6. They are putting me on medication (synthroid or something.) They are starting me at 100 mcg everyday, but on Mondays and Thursdays I'm supposed to take two pills (200 mcg). Does this seem accurate for dosage when pregnant. My mom and mother in law both have hypothyroidism thought it seemed high. But they said they start high and then monitor me and can lower it if need be. They said it won't cause any harm to the baby and it will help with the chance of miscarriage. Is the chance of mc increased when one has hypothyroid?

Thanks,

If your thyroid is controlled then it shouldn't be a problem

I have had 3 mc and just found out after the last mc that i have hypothyroidism

I have read it can cause probs if not under control

 

[stacey3690]

Dont know if im much help i have hypothyrodisn (cant spell) and my level was 2.1 before i got preggo and the dr said i didnt have to get it checked until i was 12 week and that it shouldnt cause a problem im on 125mg of level thyroxine and havent had a problem as of yet (touch wood) i did have a chemical in july but not sure if that was thyroid related or not so only 3 more weeks until i get mine checke i think they worry more if its an overactive thyroid but who knows lol we can only wish for the best and hope our litto is born nice and healthy lotts of love and luck xxxx

 

[peacebaby]

I'm so glad I found this thread!

I have suspected that my thyroid function was low, I understand that if if it's slightly low it can cause symptoms- I have all the classic symptoms, especially constant hair loss, fatigue and cold extremities. Each time I've had a blood test, the gp's insist its normal.

had an MC in April and 2 chemicals and been feeling even worse since. I recently had all the standard blood tests done and here in the UK the lab value states normal =0.40 - 5.00. Mine was 2.50 and the GP again said its normal, and insisted that it had nothing to do with miscarriage or conception difficulties. She would not refer me to a fertility specialist until after 3MCs, which is the std procedure here.

My instinct tells me this is just not right. Problem is they won't put me on meds since they insist its normal and i'm wondering if taking KELP might help to bring it down to 2.00. Besides the fertility issue I would just like to feel normal again, my hair texture changed and believe me, the hair loss is like shedding masses daily.

Any advice ladies? If I can't get the meds, what can I do?