I am 37 and started trying for my third child 8 months ago with no luck. My periods are regular and my other pregnancies happened within 2 months each time. I know that I have been very lucky in that regard and the fact that the third one is taking longer isn’t unusual. Two months ago I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism which I understand can impact fertility. Is this anyone else’s experience? The doctor suggested I have my thyroid tested along with progesterone to confirm ovulation so it was a surprise discovery. I started on 50mcg 7 weeks ago and just increased my dose to 75mcg after blood test. TSH is down to 5.68 from 9.95 and T4 is now within range so things are moving in the right direction. Looking back I have had some symptoms but I put these down to the stress of homeschooling, working, a job loss and the general anxiety around the covid crisis. All of these things I realise aren’t exactly fertility friendly and stressful! I added acupuncture (off due to lockdown), Chinese herbs and I take pregnacare. I exercise and generally eat well so I think I’m doing all the right things!
I guess I am looking for positive stories and reassurance that my time hasn’t run out and wondering if anyone else has had to tackle a thyroid issue and then got pregnant successfully??
Thank you
Written by
BelfastGirl83
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
I don’t have a success story but have dealt with thyroid issues, you will want to get your TSH down to about 1 for fertility. Some GPs don’t even know that and are happy with it in range which means below 4.5!xx
Thank you Orla for your reply! I’m now wondering if a bump in 25mcg is enough to get it down to where it needs to be...I had no idea it played such a huge part in fertility xx
You want to give it 6 weeks each time you change dose and then re-test, as it takes a while to take effect. Slow and steady as you don’t want to go too fast xx
It’s very easy to go the other way if you don’t take it slow enough, I hover between 150 and 175mg and sometimes 175 can be too much and I have to alternate 150 and 175 daily. My TSH was 36 which is why my dose is high xx
Agree with Orla here. My thyroid was about 2.6 for a year with no luck getting pregnant. Then I got pregnant in September and when I had my thyroid checked it was exactly 1.0, if then wetn down to 0.93 after a month. You need your thyroid to be 1 or as close to 1 as possible. Good luck
Thank you for this! My increase of 25mcg is probably not enough to get it down to 1. Would you suggest I speak to my gp about increasing it sooner than later? I don’t want to check my bloods in 6 weeks time to find it’s only gone down marginally. I’m wondering whether I should try to speak to a specialist directly...
You could speak to your GP and tell them your fertility consultant wants your thyroid below 2. A small white lie but hey ho 😂 they might not agree if you've not been on it long enough... But you can only ask.
I think I’ll wait until the next blood test in 5 weeks time and see what they do then, requesting an increase if it isn’t down enough. GP knows I’m not seeing a fertility consultant lol 🙈
I did almost 2 years of fertility treatment (Clomid, IUI, IVF) without knowing that my TSH was an issue. It was just under 4. Went to private fertility clinic for my second go at IVF and they spotted it, put me on levo and got it down to 1.1 before trying again. I had never seen two lines before but got pregnant on first transfer (sadly mmc), it’s early days but currently 6 weeks pregnant on my next transfer since then. Unfortunately my GP is awful and won’t prescribe levo for this so I have to keep getting private prescriptions but it seems worth it. I think it’s best to get it closer to 1 or at least under 2.5 if you can. 37 is fine. I’m 36 and they’ve said there’s plenty of hope! Best of luck xx
Congratulations! It’s wonderful getting a positive test and I hope this little one thrives for you! It definitely needs pushed down further regardless so I’ll keep at the GP xx
Did the doctor also test FT3? You need this along with TSH and FT4. Also thyroid antibodies are important as they will show if you have autoimmune thyroiditis. Specific Vitamin levels are also important for thyroid metabolism. You need decent levels of vitamin D, B12, Folate and iron (Ferritin).
These articles may help you. According to Dr Izabella Wentz, known as The Thyroid Pharmacist, your TSH should be no more than 2.
These two articles by her are about the thyroid and pregnancy and are invaluable:
Hey, I have my thyroid tested monthly as it’s known to fluctuate. I was on 25mg daily before my first IVF transfer, and a few days before my transfer my levels came back as 5.6 so my thyroxine was increased to 50mg.
My first cycle failed - but my fertility doctor said my TSH level wouldn’t have impacted implantation. In her opinion, your thyroid level needs to be below 4 but my thyroid specialist who I’ve been seeing on and off for over 4+ years likes it to be below 2.5 for a pregnancy.
I had it rechecked a month ago and it was down to 1.36 which is better and I’m having it checked again on Monday as I’m due a transfer in the next couple of weeks!
I think different doctors say different things.. but a lot of studies that I’ve read indicate that your TSH should be 2.5 and under. Alongside the right level of FT4 and FT3 (I think my FT4 was slightly low but folic acid can do that as the biotin in it does something .. can’t remember exactly what but my thyroid specialist wasn’t too worried about it).
Whilst I trust my fertility doctor, when it comes to my thyroid, I see a thyroid specialist as that’s their area of expertise and equally, I trust him too.
I’m planning to speak to an endocrinologist next week to get his take on it. I don’t think my current 75mcg is enough to get me below 2 but I’ll probably need to wait 5 weeks anyway for another blood test to come to that conclusion. All the very best with your transfer xxx
Definitely see an endocrinologist - I saw one for thyroid and prolactin and they wrote a letter telling the GP exactly what to do and what I needed so now anytime I go with anything to do with thyroid I start by saying “the endocrinologist said...” and they just do it. I actually only saw the endocrinologist twice about 3 years ago 😆
Hold off on Biotin supplements for about a week before your blood draw as it could give a false high. Some labs use biotin to process your result. TSH shouldn’t be higher than 2. Check out the two articles I’ve added to my other post in this thread. Good luck.
hello, success story over here! I tried for almost 7 years with no luck, then it was discovered I was hypothyroid. TSH needs to be under 2 preferably lower. mine was up in the 7s and lowered to about 3.7 but my fertility doctor wouldn't even entertain treatment unless it was below 2. I was on 25 then 50 then after a couple of months in the gap between appointments I got pregnant, without assistance. I had 2 dose increases throughout the pregnancy and had my baby boy when I was 37. 👍🙂
Hey, I was diagnosed with Hashimotos disease a year after my little girl was born (through ivf, the pregnancy caused this) I didn’t realise until a huge goitre appeared in my neck! Basically my body is destroying my thyroid and I now have to take lifelong tablets. I started my frozen transfer back in June last year after stabilising the disease, I take 50mcg of levothyroxin. First try didn’t work but the second and last frozen embryo Took and I’m now 21 weeks pregnant with a little boy. Good luck with your treatment sending you lots of hugs xx
Your tsh needs to be around 2 ish for pregancy as I had to go up to 100mg of my medication to get to that for my ivf which was unsuccessful but still it’s being around 2 is fine
Also wanted to add that TSH isn’t a Thyroid hormone, it’s a pituitary gland hormone. It’s in the brain and tells the thyroid to make more or less thyroid hormones. I hope your doctor is testing more than TSH and is including FT4 and FT3 which are thyroid hormones and these levels are really important.
Thank you for your replies! I’m booked in for bloods again in 5 weeks time at the hospital instead of GP and have a follow up appt with an Endocrinologist after that so I feel much better about things and hope to have answers to all my questions...
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
EmBIO Fertility clinic - any experience?
Any BFP even having hypothyroidism? 
Chemical pregnancy first experience - any recovery tips?
Ivf loss - due to lack of TSH/ Hypothyroidism monitoring? Any advice appreciated :) 
Can negative thoughts stop you getting pregnant?
