TSH level when starting IVF

[Peonypop]

Hi everyone

I’m new on here and it’s been a godsend finding such a supportive group of people trying to navigate our way through to find our rainbows!

I’m awaiting my first appointment with the ivf consultant following a tricky 2 years of falling pregnant (relatively quickly) followed my a missed miscarriage in November 2017 discovered at 12 weeks. We’ve been trying ever since with no luck and finally got a referral to the fertility clinic where after various test and a laparoscopy, we’ve found out I’ve got one blocked Fallopian tube and have been recommended to proceed to ivf as I’m 36.

I had my thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) checked last week and it came back at 2.9. My GP told me this was normal but if I fell pregnant, they would want it less than 2.5. Does anyone know if I need further investigations or treatment with a level of 2.9 prior to starting ivf? If so, will the ivf consultant order further tests or do I need to see someone else. I’m all abit confused! Any advice would be great. Thank you 😊

[Kitcat12]

Hi lovely, I've had a tough time trying to get my TSH levels down. They were 8.8 2 weeks before my recent FET. I did manage to get them down to 2.7 and I'm currently 8 weeks pregnant and being monitored very closely throughout. Midwife has classed me as high risk due to my thyroid condition which is actually reassuring because you get more support and monitoring. How much thyroxine do you take? x

[purplerain2000]

Hiya Just to let you know I have had cycles cancelled because of my thyroid levels being too high or too low. It is really important to get your levels below 2.5 prior to starting treatment as they will go up anyway with all the medication they put you on. Don't want to worry you but best to get your levels down before treatment. Good luck xx

[purplerain2000]

Oh yes, your ivf consultant will advise you on thyroxine medication and dose, mine was really good and got my levels down. If you have a good consultant you will be okay. xx

[Kiedy84]

Hi I think we all have different experiences on this, my clinic was happy to go ahead with the cycle with TSH 3.5. they only got interested when I forced them to repeat the test and TSH came back 5.6.

I knew it should be less than 2.5 ideally so I went to see my GP who put me on Levothyroxine, I was refused to be referred to the endocrinologist on NHS so I went privately. My fertility clinic did not manage Thyroid issues and they see this as GP role. It was awful experience trying to navigate through all of this.

You are doing the right thing persuing and checking your thyroid is in the best place possible. Have you had your antibodies tested too? Xx

[staaa88]

Hiya, sorry that you’ve had a rubbish time of it. Sounds good that you’ve been referred now though. My TSH level was 3.9, they said the same to me. It’s normal but they wouldn’t commence my treatment until then. You’ll just be give levothyroxine and asked to check your bloods in a few weeks time to check your levels again xx

[Kiedy84 in reply to staaa88]

From my experience it's best to have access to consultant endocrinologist, I had one private visit and now I am in touch with him via email and my GP is responsible for re-testing every 3 weeks now that I am pregnant.

I started Levothyroxine 6 months before my first IVF but this was all co-ordinated by my GP. I actually got full diagnosis (Hashimoto's) in Poland while visiting family. I did the full Thyroid panel tests including antibodies in a private clinic.

It's very difficult to get full diagnosis here in the UK, you can join Thyroid UK forum if you have any more questions, they are really good. Hope everything goes well my dear. And yes meds will mess everything up anyway that's why you need to push for tests xxxx

[Peonypop]

Thank you to you all of you for your replies, they have reassured me that I am right to question it. I’m not on any treatment for it, in fact it was me who asked for it to be checked after my reflexologist asked if i had thyroid problems based on my feet 😱. My GP didn’t seem at all bothered about the level but it is something I’ve always questioned since I had the missed miscarriage...I had it checked then too and was told it was ‘normal’ but I don’t know what this result was so it could have been above the recommended 2.5. It’s a minefield isn’t it, I’ll go back and speak with the GP and see if I can start some treatment prior to starting the ivf...fingers crossed! xxx

[Kiedy84 in reply to Peonypop]

If needed you can quote NICE guidelines!! Good luck x