TSH Levels and Levothyroxin - Fertility Network UK

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TSH Levels and Levothyroxin

Cornish131 profile image
ā€¢15 Replies

Hello šŸ˜Š

Iā€™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 werenā€™t where theyā€™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 weā€™re trying for our second baby and itā€™s taking a while so weā€™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 heā€™ll prescribe Levothyroxin as he agrees. My GP practice has done bloods again more recently, which Iā€™ll send over to the new consultants. However Iā€™ve noticed my levels are 3.57, nowhere near the 2.5 even though Iā€™m taking 50mg Levothyroxin.

Has anyone else had this or needed a higher dose? We donā€™t have a consultation at the clinic yet as we still need to book in my partners semen analysis but just wondering if thereā€™s anything I can do in the mean time about my TSH.

Thanks x

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Tamara012 profile image
Tamara012

I had TSH 3.5 and didnā€™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 profile image
Cornish131ā€¢ in reply toTamara012

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

Theyā€™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 šŸ˜Š

Tamara012 profile image
Tamara012ā€¢ in reply toCornish131

Unfortunately my GP wouldnā€™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 profile image
Cornish131ā€¢ in reply toTamara012

Oh ok! Well that makes it more complicated as I donā€™t have a consultant at the clinic yet as waiting for my partner to have his analysis done. Never easy is it šŸ˜‚

Avocado111 profile image
Avocado111

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

Skittles11 profile image
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 profile image
Cornish131ā€¢ in reply toSkittles11

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. Iā€™ve sent him a request this morning to see what he says but at least Iā€™m aware now heā€™ll probably say no. And Iā€™ll wait until Iā€™m in with the consultant xx

ET54AA profile image
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 šŸ¤·ā€ā™€ļø.

Curious123 profile image
Curious123ā€¢ in reply toET54AA

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 profile image
Avocado111ā€¢ in reply toCurious123

Hi, youā€™re right, mine is within GP rang, said itā€™s a bit higher but donā€™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 profile image
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 profile image
Cornish131ā€¢ in reply toShadow-monkey

I have contacted my GP today and heā€™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 Iā€™m fully expecting them to raise my TSH level.

Luckily my GP is very supportive so I donā€™t think heā€™d have an issue with increasing my Levothyroxin dosage. But 50mg clearly isnā€™t working for me as Iā€™m still slightly above 3.5 šŸ˜‚ is it bad if I just take x2 of my 50mg tablets daily instead of x1 šŸ˜‚

Shadow-monkey profile image
Shadow-monkeyā€¢ in reply toCornish131

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 profile image
Nabsal

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

Poppygarden profile image
Poppygarden

Hello all, just thought Iā€™d share my experience of TSH. Iā€™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 Iā€™ve seen a fertility nutritionist and completely changed my diet and cut out gluten. My levels are now 1.5 and I donā€™t have any meds for it. Iā€™m sure it wonā€™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

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