TTC - Hypothyroidism

[Buttercupbabi]

Hey ladies,

Anyone here who's TTC with an underactive thyroid?
Ive been on levothyroxine for a year now and they've just upped my dosage again...

They weren't too concerned this time round and said my levels are nearly there! Im just a little worried that if I did fall pregnant (and that is a big IF) my levels will be no where near where i will need them to be...
Its so frustrating

Anyone else going through this?
I dont really have anyone to talk to about this

 

[ashley2pink]

My TSH is 3.49. My OB won't put me on anything to lower it. I have an appointment with a fertility clinic in 1 week and I hope they will prescribe me meds. I am wondering if my TSH is why I have not conceived yet? Just curious what your TSH is/was?

 

[Buttercupbabi]

Funnily enough, they have never told me and I've never asked (will do next time if still not there)! Dr. just told me on Friday my levels were still not normal and they upped my meds to 75microgram Levothyroxine and they think this could do the trick... Will need to go back in 3months!

Hypothyroidism can cause infertility until sorted so they should hopefully put you on meds xx

 

[BFranks86]

My TSH is 3.49. My OB won't put me on anything to lower it. I have an appointment with a fertility clinic in 1 week and I hope they will prescribe me meds. I am wondering if my TSH is why I have not conceived yet? Just curious what your TSH is/was?

Hi Ashley.

I have done some extensive reading on this as I thought that my Thyroid was why we are having trouble conceiving and why my cholesterol is high...My numbers checked out fine, but your thyroid controls a great deal of the hormones that drive your fertility. If your numbers are out of wack, the fertility specialist, or even your general practitioner, will likely put you on hormones. If this is the case, be sure to get your blood checked frequently while pregnant as your numbers should continue to climb through pregnancy. Shortages in the necessary hormones can cause problems.

Hope this helps!

 

[ashley2pink]

Is hair thinning out a sign of low thyroid? Mine started doing that about 3 yrs ago. I am now wondering if this is when my thyroid started going out of whack. I also noticed maybe around 2 yrs ago, that I suddenly needed to take naps during the day. I never ever did that before. It makes me think my thyroid was just fine when TTC and during pregnancy with my 1st 3 kids and now its not quite where it need to be so I am having a hard time getting pregnant. I know my TSH isnt sky high, but its obviously over the 1-2 they like to see. I am excited for my appointment on the 26th. I am praying that they will put me on meds asap to get it to no higher than a 2.

 

[ashley2pink]

Funnily enough, they have never told me and I've never asked (will do next time if still not there)! Dr. just told me on Friday my levels were still not normal and they upped my meds to 75microgram Levothyroxine and they think this could do the trick... Will need to go back in 3months!

Hypothyroidism can cause infertility until sorted so they should hopefully put you on meds xx

Hopefully yours will be normal next time you get tested. I like to know the exact #'s. My OB doesnt tell you unless you ask. They just say its normal, or low or high or whatever. I ask though and write it down

 

[BFranks86]

Is hair thinning out a sign of low thyroid? Mine started doing that about 3 yrs ago. I am now wondering if this is when my thyroid started going out of whack. I also noticed maybe around 2 yrs ago, that I suddenly needed to take naps during the day. I never ever did that before. It makes me think my thyroid was just fine when TTC and during pregnancy with my 1st 3 kids and now its not quite where it need to be so I am having a hard time getting pregnant. I know my TSH isnt sky high, but its obviously over the 1-2 they like to see. I am excited for my appointment on the 26th. I am praying that they will put me on meds asap to get it to no higher than a 2.

Yes ma'am, hair thinning, feeling exhausted all the time, thinning brittle nails...all are signs of Hypothyroidism. You can google the symptoms. While none of them mean much apart, they can start meaning something when you have multiple issues off of the list. I was amazed at how many I have on the list, but my blood work came out fine...Pretty sure there is still something underlying it all, though.

 

[ashley2pink]

What was your TSH BFranks?

 

[BFranks86]

What was your TSH BFranks?

My TSH was 1.68mL, Free T4 was 1.16 and T3 was 3.09. Like I said though, these were apparently normal readings, so I have been looking into other things that cause the same types of symptoms I have. I am going to try some Magnesium Citrate and see if that helps.

Also, have you had your cholesterol checked? Mine is borderline high which I why I think we are having trouble conceiving.

 

[CheshireDucky]

I've had hypothyroidism for a very long time. Just wondering for those who are having issues: are you seeing your GP for these issues or an endo? Have you tried seeing an endo if you haven't yet?

Where my GP is wonderful and helped I've found going to an endo to be much better. Even when my numbers are considered normal range if I was feeling off because of my thyroid he'd up my dosage until I felt normal again. When I told him I wanted to get pregnant he adjusted my meds to take them down to a range that should help me conceive better (I don't remember the numbers right now, but it was below 2.0).

Also, if your doctor didn't tell you, make sure when you get a positive pregnancy test to call your doctor right away for a med adjustment. My endo told me once pregnant I'll need more meds to keep my thyroid down.

 

[ashley2pink]

Well I have an appointment with a fertility clinic on Monday. They have rep endo's there so I'm hoping they will at least write me an rx. Then I guess I will have to see a regular endo eventually? My OB is not helpful at all in the matter

 

[Buttercupbabi]

I finally asked for my levels and they said

TSH - 4.89
T4 - 18??

So im guessing i wont be falling pregnant anytime soon if some of the levels should be at 2.

 

[ashley2pink]

Did they raise your dosage again? What amount are you on? That sounds so frustrating.
I went to an RE on Feb. 26 and he put me on levothyroxine 75 mcg. So I have now been taking it for about 2 weeks. I am going to go back in about 3 weeks to get my levels rechecked. He said to go back in 4 weeks but I think it might be too soon? I know it usually says every 6 weeks so I will just split the difference.

 

[ashley2pink]

Also buttercup, I heard certain foods can be bad for those with hypothyroids. Like broccoli and cauliflower. Also, you probably already know, but make sure you don't take the meds at the same time as your prenatal or any pill with iron in it. There needs to be a 4 hour space. I take my rx first thing in the morning and wait to eat for 30 mins. I take my prenatal at night.

 

[Buttercupbabi]

Hi Ashley,

Yeah they upped my meds to 75mg! So im praying that can come down to 3.5 which could then mean I would be at the top end of the required dosage... I cant see myself being able to go lower!

Oh I didnt know that about the vegetables? Do you know any other foods that can be bad?
Yeah I take my iron tablets in the afternoon, i make sure there is 6hours+ difference!

My problem is, me and OH are not really actively trying! Maybe more Not Trying Not Preventing, hes more against the idea where as I would love another baby but he is slowly coming round the idea... Not sure if it would be worth asking my Dr. to up my meds if in a few months time my OH gets cold feet! xxx

 

[ashley2pink]

I just read back and saw where you are on 75mcg. Weirdly my TSH is lower and the RE put me on 75 mcg from the get go. Are you still on the 75? Was your TSH the 4.89 last month or did they just redraw? I think waiting 3 months in between is a little bit long. Can you request 6 weeks instead?

 

[ashley2pink]

My neighbor is on 112 mcg of levo. She just had a baby recently. She said during pregnancy they had to keep upping and upping the dose. But now that her baby is 4 months old she is at a lower dose of 112. She said 75mcg is usually the base level and a very common dosage to start at. I was worried when I was prescribed 75 because it seemed high but she said that is normal.

 

[ashley2pink]

Soy foods: Tofu, tempeh, edamame, etc.
Certain vegetables: Cabbage, broccoli, kale, cauliflower, spinach, etc.
Fruits and starchy plants: Sweet potatoes, cassava, peaches, strawberries, etc.
Nuts and seeds: Millet, pine nuts, peanuts, etc.

I still eat these foods but am trying to make sure its not as often. The only veggies I really love are broccoli and cauliflower so it kind of sucks. I dont know how to get my veggies in now! I still eat them a little, but I was a lot more before. I also eat nuts and seeds a lot to get more healthy fats and proteins so not sure what to do there. The website did say it's okay to eat those foods but just not large amounts.

 

[Buttercupbabi]

In the UK they start you up with a low dosage and up it every 3 months! I was really ill last year with it before I knew something was up and they only started me on 25mg. I think they're so afraid in case it ends up going into hyper! I just want to start feeling better haha.

They upped it in Feb at my last appointment and will get seen again in May. I rang them up today because so many things online say if you are over 3.5 with TSH it could be bad! I kinda knew i would have been...

Oh no, that sucks! I love all those foods and it doesnt help that I have eaten spinach, sweet potatoe and peanuts today

Thank you so much for replying though Ashley, ur a star xx

 

[ashley2pink]

I guess thats why they want to redraw my blood 4 weeks after starting to make sure I don't go hyper. I dont think I will go hyper and so far I don't feel any different. But 2 weeks is a little soon to feel much of any change I suppose. I heard 4-6 weeks is when you can expect it to change but in some people it only takes 2-3 weeks.