Before my IVF cycle began, our clinic wanted my thyroid retested as it had previously been 3.16. This is normal in non pregnant women but for IVF they want it below 2.5. The test came back as 2.69, so borderline, but they put me on thyroxine to get it under 2.5. I had it retested this week after being on the meds for 4 weeks and it’s come back as 3.6?? I got the result from my GP surgery just now so have to wait til the morning to speak to the clinic.
I’m really worried they’ll abandon my cycle - I’m on day 7 of stims 😥😥
Any help greatly appreciated!
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BrightonBelle85
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Sorry to hear that. I had similar issues before starting ivf.
Have you been diagnosed as autoimmune hypothyroidism ? Sometimes a flare in antibodies can throw our tsh out of whack but it can be temporary.
Did you take the test in the morning? On an empty stomach? And did you take your thyroid meds after your blood tests for that day?
All the above can affect a thyroid test. Tsh is higher in morning. Thyroid meds circulate for about 9 hours after dose so that can also affect results.
Maybe you took the bloods at different times of day? Maybe explains discrepancy. Also stimulation methods could be having adverse effects?
I was so disappointed when they delayed my ivf due to thyroid control but in the long run it’s to increase your chances so better to find out sooner rather than later! Have faith and take a deep breath ☺️ A small increase may be all that is needed again.
Thanks so much for this. I haven’t been diagnosed with hypothyroidism, no. Did they still do your egg collection or abandon altogether? What stage were you at? Thanks again for replying xx
Oh I see - you haven’t been diagnosed with hypothyroidism at all.
I would ask Gp in that case to test you for thyroid antibodies :
1) TPO- Thyroid peroxidase antibodies
2) thyroglobulin antibodies
3) did they test free t4 (and free t3?) as well as tsh. It gives an idea of how much thyroid hormone you actually have and your levels, rather than just tsh.
Anyone in your family with autoimmune problems like rheumatoid arthritis, coeliac. Thyroid issues?
Thankfully they picked mine up before the cycle started, so it didn’t delay it, but my period went all over the place anyway so ivf had its own delays.
Looking back- I was in such a hurry to do ivf that I probably pushed forward too quickly and it would have been better to slow things down and take the time I needed.
So don’t fret if they do cancel. It can be for the best.
How long before your egg collection is due?
If it’s a few more weeks hopefully they will continue as normal. Definitely get those tests done as if you’re not hypothyroid- there shouldn’t really be a reason why your results are fluctuating.
And do be consistent with blood test and timings, hope that helps x
That’s so helpful, thanks so much. I did have the blood test in the morning whereas the previous one was in the afternoon. It does just seem impossible that after being on medication for a month it would be higher then ever! I’m due to have egg collection next weds so getting close. Have a scan in the morning so will talk to them about it then. Thanks again xx
Ahh that could explain the lower result last time if it was in afternoon. Tsh is highest in morning.
3.16 to 3.6 isn’t much of a change but yes with medication does seem odd. What’s your dose? If it’s less than 50mcg it may not really be doing anything
It’s gone from 2.69 to 3.6 in 4 weeks. Only on 25mcg of Levothyroxine. So annoying! Wish they’d put me on a higher dose! Do you think any chance a higher dose could make a difference in a week?? Xx
But as we said- 2.69 was probably an erroneous reading? Because you took it in the afternoon it might be artificially lowered abyway.
25mcg will do little- it could be that it takes full 6weeks to impact you but often it can make you feel worse if you are in fact hypothyroid.
You could argue to put it up to 50mcg if you’d recent tsh is still high- because if you were to get pregnant you would need an increased dose anyway. Clinic should agree to up it- whether they think it’s enough before EC I’m not sure.
Do make sure you have antibodies checked also so we know if there will be a predisposition to becoming hypothyroid later and continued management
Thanks for all your advice! Saw the clinic yesterday and they weren’t that concerned but have upped me to 50mcg. She said it’s still a normal thyroid level and the result did seem odd considering I’m on medication. She said they wouldn’t delay anything at this stage though xx
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