Subclinical hypothyroidism and IVF

[Tiger37]

Hi,

We’ve had 1 round of IVF/ICSI which we were referred for due to my partner’s low sperm count. Our first embryo transfer was unsuccessful but we have another one frozen. The clinic asked me to get my Vit D and thyroid levels tested by the GP before FET.

I asked the GP for a print out of the results which showed Vit D deficiency at 27nmol/L (clinic advised needs to be above 50) and underactive thyroid. Thyroid results were:

Serum free T4 level 14.0pmol/L (range 10.0-22.0)

Serum TSH level 5.0mu/L (range 0.3-4.2) The clinic have advised this needs to be under 2.5.

My GP have not been very helpful - had to fight to actually get an appointment to discuss the results and then they refused to prescribe medication unless I got a letter from the clinic. I am now on 75mcg and 50mcg levothyroxine alternating.

After reading a few posts on here, I have posted on the thyroid UK forum about advice on how often this should be tested, how to get an exemption certificate etc.

I was just wondering if anyone on here has had to go on levothyroxine for fertility treatment and then been able to come off it? As I had no symptoms before and my GP was so reluctant to prescribe I am taking it now to jump through the hoop of being able to continue with fertility treatment but not thrilled at the idea of staying on it for life if I don’t need to.

Thank you.

[Mango1990]

Sorry to hear about your first transfer 😞

I'm quite early in my journey with both myself and my husband being referred. Him for low sperm count and mobility and I had underactive thyroid and I think because of my age (I'm 33).

I didnt really have any symptoms, and I'm sorry I can't remember what my levels were, but the GP put me on 25mg. I've had tests since which show my levels have improved and they're happy to keep me on it whilst we're trying to conceive.

I got a medical exemption through the GP who prescribed me the Levothyroxine. Push it, because they should be giving you one. This process is expensive enough without having to pay for prescriptions!

My husband is having bilateral varicocele embolisation soon which will hopefully help and then depending on how much it improves, we will be having IVF/ICSI.

Good luck with your journey

[Tiger37 in reply to Mango1990]

Thanks for your message, I will chase them for the exemption! I might suggest my husband goes back to the GP too. He was told by a locum a few years back that he had a varicocele but they didn’t recommend any treatment. If embolisation can improve fertility it’s certainly worth asking about.

Since we started TTC, because his sperm count is very low and because of my age (was 36 when we were first referred, just turned 38 now) I think they just referred us straight for ICSI.

[Mango1990 in reply to Tiger37]

They've said we have to wait 3 months after having the embolisation before trying again which will be painful but hopefully in the long run we have a better chance of either conceiving naturally or of successful ICSI.

Yeah, I'd say its worth getting a consultants opinion regarding the varicocele and whether it's worth having it done to assist with the ICSI, or they might say the sperm levels are enough. Good luck with it all