Thyroid and TTC

[Mlove12]

Hi all,

Recently had a TSH blood test as part of a routine check from our IVF clinic before starting treatment. They recommend levels to be below 2.5 and mine was 4.6 so now having the struggle of getting my doctors to prescribe meds.

Couple of questions,

Did anyone have experience of low/high TSH level and once this was addressed, fell pregnant naturally or felt it helped with IVF?

How long did it take your levels to get to the correct number whilst on medication? (Conscious this is going to push out treatment back massively)

Thanks x

[Fruitandflowers]

My levels were very similar and although NHS clinic said they're in normal range they wanted them below 2.5 before they'd start treatment. Clinic was ok to write prescription but it was easier to get my GP to do it. Took about three months for the levels to come down. As far as I can tell it made no difference to my treatment and we had a year's delay over lockdown where I also didn't get pregnant naturally so didn't do anything there either. I think it's more if the levels are very out that it can make a difference and my clinic said there's evidence that keeping them below 2.5 helps them control or predict how you respond to meds, but that's not what happened with me and it was all unexpected responses and confused doctors throughout my treatment When we went private, the clinic was not interested in thyroid levels however, it didn't seem to be doing any harm and as I was at the level the NHS had wanted originally I figured I'd just kept taking the meds until someone told me to stop.

[Mlove12 in reply to Fruitandflowers]

Hi,Thank you for replying this is really helpful!

Glad to hear your levels went down quite quickly, i was worried it would take around a year! May i ask what medication they put you on and how much? I have an appointment this afternoon to discuss with doctor.

Ahh i see r.e levels help with meds. My clinic did say its only recommended to get levels down so perhaps this is why and why they didnt say it was compulsory!

Have you felt any better for taking them or not really?

Its all such a faff isnt it! Are you continuing ivf treatment? Is so, good luck, hope it all goes well

[Fruitandflowers in reply to Mlove12]

Yeah, I was impatient and had them checked after about a month just in case and they were lower but not quite below 2.5. They were much lower after 3 months. I was on 25mcg levothyroxine. That was increased to 50mcg when I got them checked again about 18mnths ago and the levels had gone up, but tbh it could have been because I wasn't taking my doses properly between treatments and as my private clinic didn't seem to be bothered... I never noticed any difference in how I felt on them - my levels were normal before though, and I was secretly hoping I'd lose weight and have lots of extra energy as a bonus, but sadly not I just figured if the doctors were saying it couldn't hurt and I had been on the meds so long I may as well carry on while I was undergoing treatment.

After the long NHS/lockdown delays, I went private for IVF, and I'm now 36 weeks pregnant. The whole process has taken years, but I hope it shows it can work in the end! Best of luck ☘️

[Purple276]

Hi,

My levels were about the same as yours and depends on the dose on time scales to get it reduced. Was about 8 weeks on 50mg of levothyroxine. Selenium is supposed to be a good natural option too.

I did read an article that found some research questioned getting the levels below 2.5 made a difference. My clinic though wanted it below that level. Oh and sadly still not pregnant but I think I have a variety other things going on so TSH is just one of those things that I can tick is okay.

It is so annoying having to wait but I always go with the thought that I don't want to be wondering what if I'd waited and got the levels down.

Good luck and wish you all the best xx

[Cl2010]

We were all set and ready to start our treatment in March 2020 and then covid hit. I was abit anxious and worried about starting it in the middle of a pandemic so we decided to wait until the September / October time. We had routine blood tests again and my thyroid levels weren’t what they should be. I’ve always suffered with an under active thyroid and had it regular tested. It was under control for my doctors but not for the clinic. I can’t remember my exact numbers but I remember my medication been upped from 75mcg to 100mcg. I had tests every 4 weeks and it took about 2 months for them to get to the correct levels.

I was advised that if we went private the levels wouldn’t be as much of a problem but they are with the NHS.

Its so annoying having to wait, try not to worry you’ll get them where they need to be in no time xxx

[Marisa32]

It happened to me. Routine thyroid test prior to IVF revealed I had elevated levels of TSH and Hashimoto's. It took 3 to 4 weeks to bring it down after starting meds. My endocrinologist wanted the TSH to be under 2, ideally closer to 1. Apparently, that's the optimal level when ttc and during early pregnancy. Of course, they need to monitor the T4 or T3 - I forget exactly what the other ones need to be at. Check your Vitamin D as well. As soon as my TSH was fixed, I fell pregnant naturally (age 38) right before starting the stims for my first IVF cycle. I tried for a sibling 6 mo after having my first. I was over 40 at this point with non exixtent AMH. I got 2 chemicals, then found out my TSH was over 2.5 again. Back on higher dose I went and kept ttc. After 2 failed IVF cycles, (I was a poor responder), I did IUI (got blighted ovum) and then just kept trying naturally while waiting for donor egg treatment. I fell pregnant naturally the second time, right before my donor egg transfer. Long story short, I'm a firm believer in having your hormones sorted out before attempting pregnancy.

[Anjalichaudhary]

My thyroid was 3.5 when they did transfer. On beta hcg day they did again some blood test my thyroid is 5.6, and i am taking 100 mcg thyronorm. They did not seems much concerned about it.

[Jana483]

I've been taking Thyroxine (thyroid medication) for 8 years now.And like wise my doctor likes my level below 2

We suffer from male infertility factor so we can't conceive naturally.

I don't know how much time it took for my levels to drop from a 4.5 to a 2 (I had a check after 3 months and found they dropped)

So my guess it took 3 months

Getting your thyroid level down is important

[Kitca]

Hi, i have a long standing thyroid problem originally graves disease which was historically overactive and is an autoimmune - self managed for years. I got a test done by our private clinic they too want below 2.5, i was then underactive and im now on 75mcg with it being managed. There are links to thyroid and fertility issues , i always new it would be an issue for me one way or the other to either get pregnant or stay pregnant. If thyroid is related to an autoimmune like mine you will probably also need to go on prednisalone to calm down your immune system to stay pregnant if successful. Currently 7 weeks after 2nd transfer , no idea what did and didnt work and still super nervous (scan on monday) . Took about 4 months for my levels to get right , i had them checked every month pretty much. Best best of luck xx