FET update

[Kitcat12]

So I went for my lining scan and took all my thyroid bloods results to discuss with the clinic. They're not worried about my TSH levels and are happy to proceed with transfer. However, my lining isn't thickening enough so they've upped the dose of Progynova BUT that's only going to send my TSH levels even higher. I'm at a total loss for what to do. Nobody seems to understand or care about my Thyroid and if my levels aren't managed correctly I'm sure I'll just miscarry again. So fed up.

[Cinderella5]

Aww Kitcat, sorry you havent really gotten any answers today. By the sounds of things the decision on whether to proceed or postpone will be left up to you which is not particularly reassuring unfortunately. I would say its a bit worrying that your clinic arent too concerned about your thyroid. Have your levels just jumped up all of a sudden, were they stable before you started fertility treatment? TSH was one of the mandatory tests that my NHS clinic did before treatment. My TSH was also affecting my prolactin levels which is another mandatory blood test our NHS clinic did. Could you see your GP to ask if he can refer you to an endocrinologist, I think I saw a post that you used to be under one. It might be worth PM'ing DianeArnold to see if she has any advice?xx

[Kitcat12 in reply to Cinderella5]

I'm planning on booking a GP appointment tomorrow to ask for a referral to an endocrinologist, I only had one as a child and was discharged when I turned 18. My thyroid levels have been stable since my early 20s, only started jumping up and down since my first ivf. Back to the GP tomorrow, but this is all very stressful and not what I need right now 😞

[Cinderella5 in reply to Kitcat12]

Oh the stress that this is causing you is awful! I really hope you get somewhere with the GP, really put your foot down if you can Kitcat....I know you're upset so really press on how much the stress and upset is having a detrimental affect on your health, physically and mentally!! You cant be feeling good with your thyroid sitting so high either.xx

[Kitcat12 in reply to Cinderella5]

Ok, I'll do that. I'm very assertive so will have no problems putting my foot down. I did try at the clinic this morning but they shut me down pretty quickly. Although the nurse did listen and said she would pass my concerns on to my consultant. Hopefully I'll have more success with the GP but they only have locum Drs so who knows who I'll end up seeing 😞

[Cinderella5 in reply to Kitcat12]

Well all the guidance from the british thyroid association recommends TSH to be lower so just keep saying that to the GP. It was my private clinic abroad that said they werent willing to transfer until my levels were down. My GP was pretty clued up on things (I was only subclinical) so I didnt have to argue but I know some other ladies have struggled to get their GP to listen, however not at the levels you're sitting at and the fact you dont have a thyroid may make them unsure about things so hopefully that'll work in your favour to get that referral to a specialist!!xx

[Kitcat12 in reply to Cinderella5]

Thank you so much for your support. Today the consultant looked at my results and said that 3.8 was an excellent result for TSH because the upper limit for normal is 5. He clearly has no idea that it needs to be below 2.5 to sustain a pregnancy. I couldn't believe it. Definitely need to keep managing it myself and repeating the bloods until it's under control.

[Cinderella5 in reply to Kitcat12]

Ahhhh you said your results were 8.8 in your previous post. Actually 3.8 isnt too bad (still not low enough though) and it really shouldnt take too long to get back to normal if that's the case. Mine was 4.96.xxx

[Kitcat12 in reply to Cinderella5]

Yes I repeated the bloods yesterday and it had come down to 3.8. As you say it's still high but hopefully it will come down a little more by next week. It does make you lose faith in Drs doesn't it?!

[Cinderella5 in reply to Kitcat12]

That's really encouraging that its taken such a drop! Mine took ages, but again Im a crap responder to any meds...ha ha ha. It does make you question if the clinics dont get it right....GP's not so much as I never expect them to be clued up on everything but clinics should know better!xx

[Kitcat12 in reply to Cinderella5]

That's what I said to the fertility nurse. But she pretty much responded that their job is to get me pregnant and it's up to the GP to do the rest. Very disappointing! I really appreciate you taking the time to help me out with this, thank you x

[Foodie23 in reply to Kitcat12]

I’m so sorry you’re dealing with all of this. As Cinderella said, I would really question the advice from your clinic on this. They’re unfortunately not the experts. The only professional you can really trust is the endocrinologist you should be referred to through your GP.

The fact that you’ve responded so quickly is really encouraging! It shouldn’t take much longer now to get your levels to a safe number. Because your levels will likely go up in pregnancy, they like it to be under 2 before the transfer.

Unfortunately this decision has been left up to you, which is understandably stressful. You can do this. 💪 xx

[Kiedy84]

Hi it's great TSH has dropped maybe it's worth waiting a bit longer and get it under 2.5.

I have postponed my entire first IVF cycle because if my thyroid hormones. I wanted to make sure I did everything I could to make it a successful one and be in the best shape possible. I know this is hard and frustrating xxx

[Hidden]

Really sorry your clinic aren’t being more supportive & seem so in unknowledgeable on thyroid & fertility/ pregnancy.

I don’t have a thyroid issue although my TSH is in normal health range it is over optimum range for TTC/pregnancy. It is 3.32 TSH & I queried it with my fertility dr & he said it should be under 2.5 for Fertility/pregnancy but only if my thyroid antibodies were high would he be truly concerned by it. I then had my third laparoscopy to treat endometriosis ( with an endometriosis specialist as it was so bad) & I was about to book a private blood test to test my thyroid antibodies ( my fertility doctor wouldn’t test it unless I was to suffer another miscarriage- I had 1 chemical pregnancy in July 2017) & see if I needed to take meds . I was also worried about the link to miscarriage with thyroid . Anyway that month I fell pregnant & didn’t have the blood test or return to the fertility clinic (2 months post surgery) & happily I can tell you I am 35 weeks pregnant & all is going well. Even with the tsh out of ideal range.

I really don’t think your miscarriage was caused by the tsh sadly some embryos just aren’t right 😢 & there is a reason why body rejects them ( this is how I came to terms with our loss) very heartbreaking nether the less. 😢

Obviously my situation is different to yours, but thought I’d throw another perspective out there.

Ultimately you must do whatever you feel is right & I wish you the best with whatever you decide to do. xxx

[Kitcat12]

You ladies are all fab! Thanks for all your amazing support and for sharing your experiences. I'll keep you all posted with developments over the next week x