TSH Levels and Levothyroxin

[Cornish131]

Hello 😊

I’m hoping someone could help with TSH levels and Levothyroxin.

A few years ago when I seen a fertility consultant she said my thyroid levels weren’t where they’d like them to be for fertility. I think about 3.7 mu/l and they wanted it below 2.5. I was prescribed Levothyroxin. I then conceived naturally.

Fast forward and we’re trying for our second baby and it’s taking a while so we’re at the early stages of getting tested etc. again. I explained to my GP about the thyroid levels and medication from last time as I found my old letters and done some tests and said he’ll prescribe Levothyroxin as he agrees. My GP practice has done bloods again more recently, which I’ll send over to the new consultants. However I’ve noticed my levels are 3.57, nowhere near the 2.5 even though I’m taking 50mg Levothyroxin.

Has anyone else had this or needed a higher dose? We don’t have a consultation at the clinic yet as we still need to book in my partners semen analysis but just wondering if there’s anything I can do in the mean time about my TSH.

Thanks x

[Tamara012]

I had TSH 3.5 and didn’t conceive naturally until my TSH was <2.5.

I have Hypothyroidism and was on 100mg already and had to increase to 125mg to lower my TSH.

[Cornish131 in reply to Tamara012]

Ah good to know thank you! My GP is lovely but he’s obviously not a fertility expert and I don’t have a consultant yet. So I’m wondering if maybe I should contact my GP again and discuss increasing the amount as I’m on 50mg currently.

They’ve said my TSH is normal at 3.5 but I know it has to be 2.5 to be in the ideal fertility range.

Thank you 😊

[Tamara012 in reply to Cornish131]

Unfortunately my GP wouldn’t increase my dose as their NICE guidelines did not cover this. When I saw NHS fertility consultant they recommended increasing my dose, without prompting from me, and wrote to my GP

[Cornish131 in reply to Tamara012]

Oh ok! Well that makes it more complicated as I don’t have a consultant at the clinic yet as waiting for my partner to have his analysis done. Never easy is it 😂

[Avocado111]

my TSH was 3.5, taking 50mg for 1 month and a half, did blood test yesterday waiting for result

[Skittles11]

I think it can be tricky with the GPs as their guidelines state that TSH needs to be under 4.2 so they look at it and think it's fine. Mine agreed to a higher dose after a letter from my clinic. My clinic would have increased my dose if the GP did not. The letter explained that they would like to keep my TSH under a certain value (I think it's usually 2.5) xx

[Cornish131 in reply to Skittles11]

Ah ok! I think I was quite fortunate my GP put me back on it in the first place. Maybe it was because I had a letter from my previous clinic stating what I had explained to him. As he said he also spoken with a colleague within that field and they agreed. I’ve sent him a request this morning to see what he says but at least I’m aware now he’ll probably say no. And I’ll wait until I’m in with the consultant xx

[ET54AA]

Dear all,

Just to share my experience. When I started my first IVF cycle my TSH was 3.7. My first doctor gave me some medicine to lower it during the two week wait. I failed. In my second IVF my doctor didn't even checked my TSH. I had my first transfer in September and the second in October and failed both. Another doctor suggested to test my TSH and it turned out to be 4.1. Both transfers were done with this level of TSH. I asked my doctor whether I failed because of my high TSH and he said not it doesn't matter 🤷‍♀️.

[Curious123 in reply to ET54AA]

TSH does matter. I would ask for a second opinion. My MS recommended TSH below 2 before trying to conceive. You definitely want it optimal, not just within range.

[Avocado111 in reply to Curious123]

Hi, you’re right, mine is within GP rang, said it’s a bit higher but don’t need med, but IVF clinic doctor said need to keep it in ideal range

Just like my blood sugar, I have diabetes for 15 plus years, GP doctor said I controlled very good 6.5, but clinic doctor said need to be in ideal range which is under 6, its hard for diabetes who use insulin, it took me over half an year to reach that

[Shadow-monkey]

I'm on 25mg Levothyroxine to increase to 50mg if/when I get pregnant.

From my understanding it is very important the TSH is 2.5 or below for TTC.

Pester your clinic or your own doctor for blood tests and re assess your medication with them and don't take no for an answer if it's above 2.5.

Always question anything you don't understand or agree with. If necessary get a second opinion with another Clinic.

[Cornish131 in reply to Shadow-monkey]

I have contacted my GP today and he’s booked me in for a medication review on the 28th. I also sent the blood results to the clinic today and was advised a clinician will contact me next week, so I’m fully expecting them to raise my TSH level.

Luckily my GP is very supportive so I don’t think he’d have an issue with increasing my Levothyroxin dosage. But 50mg clearly isn’t working for me as I’m still slightly above 3.5 😂 is it bad if I just take x2 of my 50mg tablets daily instead of x1 😂

[Shadow-monkey in reply to Cornish131]

This Thyroid malarkey is so complicated! When I had my chemical and negative transfers I thought is it my Thyroid?.. Should I double my dose every few days? Gonna get it tested again before my next transfer but its such a worry.

Maybe you need 75mg.

If only we could check our own levels and regulate them like diabetics can. Especially as it's so important to pregnancy.

[Nabsal]

yes dear am also taking levothyroxine 50 as they wanted mine as well 2.5

[Poppygarden]

Hello all, just thought I’d share my experience of TSH. I’ve consistently had levels above 2.5 and my NHS clinic never suggested there was a problem until I went to the repeat miscarriage clinic. (Although I really wish they had treated it and brought it down) since then I’ve seen a fertility nutritionist and completely changed my diet and cut out gluten. My levels are now 1.5 and I don’t have any meds for it. I’m sure it won’t work for everyone, but since we all do a lot of our own research on fertility, I thought it was worth mentioning. Good luck everyone xxx