Thyroid question. Please help

[Rainbowhope]

My thyroid came back as 2.99. Earlier this year it was 2.3 and in the past it's been as low as 1.4. It's never been so high. The clinic want it to be 2.5 or lower. I just want to know if anyone else has experienced this? I know it can be brought down by medication but why is this risng? Can I do anything to naturally bring it down? How long will it take to come down? U can't bare the thought if delaying treatment. Right now my husband and I are really struggling. We don't see the point of anything. His father is her ill at the moment and it feels like everything I life is conspiring against us. Feeling so down. Writing this at 4.09 in the morning. Been up since 3 so the night time panic attacks are back.

[McrLass]

Hi, stay calm, it’s gonna be ok. Can only talk of my experience, found out mine was 12.4(!) in April started in levothyroxine 50mcg and came down to 6.6 by June. Upped the dose to 75mcg, came down to 2.3 by end July.

Some side effects but soon wore off, and none of them were as bad as panic attacks. (Also, feeling down is listed as a symptom of an under active thyroid and the drug definitely improved my mood!). My view? Get started on the drugs, you might only need a tiny dose and a few weeks, depending on you, i didn’t find any natural management solutions online, and I wanted to get this under control and start IVF. If you do start the drugs, remember no food or drink (or vit tablets) for 30 mins as some stuff affects absorption.

Good luck, you’ll be ok, at least this is something tried and tested you can do something about xx

[Rainbowhope in reply to McrLass]

Thank you for reply. I know it can be fixed but when u have set back after set back it starts to hurt. I know I sound like an awful person but everything feels so heavy right now.

[Rainbowhope in reply to Rainbowhope]

Dis u get it from your GP?

[Cinderella5]

My clinic arboad wrote a letter for me to take to my GP as my levels were 4.96. They basically explained that they wanted mine around 2 before I started treatment as the levels require to be optimum for conception and would they start me on 50mcg of levothyroxine. Fortunately my GP was aware that levels for conception need to be lower but for normal wouldnt treat at the levels mine were at. They may even want to just put you on 25mcg and test in around 4 weeks. Your levels arent too high to start with so they shouldnt take long to drop.xx

[Rainbowhope in reply to Cinderella5]

My clinic has advised that I go to a private endocrinologist but I can't afford this. If my GP doesnt consent to giving it to me where can i get it? Can I buy it privately

[Cinderella5 in reply to Rainbowhope]

I dont think you will be able to get it without a prescription. Would your clinic write to your GP? The NICE guidlines do state that for conception your levels should be nice and low so you can quote that too when you see your GP.xx

[KW83]

Mine was 4.7.. found out just before we were hoping to start treatment so, like you, if felt like another hurdle that was going to delay things. My clinic wrote a letter for me to take to my gp requesting that I be put on levothyroxine 50mg, and that I have a blood test for anti-TPO (thyroid) antibodies. GP was happy to do what the clinic asked, I started the treatment, had the blood test (came back positive so I had steroids for my treatment cycles) and then had another blood test after 2 weeks to check thyroxine dose was working. Level came down to 0.86. I now have blood tests every 6 months to check dose is correct, and actually now I'm pregnant every 6 weeks. Your clinic should be able to write a letter to your GP and hopefully that'll be all you need for them to get you started on the treatment. Good luck!

[Rainbowhope]

Thank you so much for the advice everyone. I have a call with my GP planned today. Will need to beg probably. Will let you all know what happens

[Shelleybean in reply to Rainbowhope]

My GP agreed to prescribe it with a letter from my clinic saying needed to be below 2.5. Definitely quite the NICE guidelines as Cinders says (and beg if you need to!!).

It sounds like you’re struggling a lot and so sorry to hear this, I’ve been there. Maybe you should tell your GP about this and ask about counselling? Have you tried any mindfulness stuff like the mindful IVF app? xx

[Rainbowhope in reply to Shelleybean]

I had some counselling at the start of the year and it helped. I've recently changed GP's and hopefully these ones will give me another lot of counselling. I have generally felt okay but with all the delays I've had to start treatment and my father-in-law falling ill it just feels like everything in the world is against us.

[Shelleybean]

You’re going through such a lot, it’s no wonder you’re struggling. Hope you can get some more counselling from the new GP. My own methods for staying calm are yoga, mindfulness (mindful ivf app or circle and bloom) and reflexology.. ❤️ it! Just all little things you can do to look after yourself and put yourself in the best mindset for the future xx

[Rainbowhope in reply to Shelleybean]

I'm doing everything. Reflexology and acupuncture but financially I'm struggling

[Shelleybean in reply to Rainbowhope]

So sorry to hear. The app is free until you get to transfer if that helps. Sending you a big hug and the strength to continue your journey 💕 xx

[Kiedy84]

Unfortunately if underlying issue is Hashimoto's Thyroiditis this means tsh levels can be affected by stress.

Book an appointment with your GP, get prescription for Levothyroxine but also ask for your thyroid antibodies to be tested.

Stop using cosmetics, no perfumes no nail varnish etc

Do some research online on Thyroid UK and British Thyroid Foundation websites

Your levels are not horrendous and this can be easily managed with Levothyroxine and some lifestyle changes xxxx

[Rainbowhope in reply to Kiedy84]

Why would cosmetics play a part?

[Kiedy84 in reply to Rainbowhope]

You may want to read about endocrine disruptors xx

[Rainbowhope in reply to Kiedy84]

Will do. Thanks for your advice. I appreciate it

[Mazzath1]

I'm the same too. My clinic is going to treat me when arrive there as travelling from the uk to Cyprus. I thought they would treat me now but apparently not. Xx