Hello everyone,
I have started to take quite a bit of vitamins (pregnacare, bio-quinone, folic acid and vit D) in January, but I really struggle at times with fatigue.
We had a failed fresh transfer last year, but since we have unexplained infertility, I thought I would try vitamins as well.
My mood hasn't been the greatest either, with depression kicking off regularly, almost out of nowhere.
Anyone had or having similar issues?
Hi Cridog, have you had your thyroid checked recently? I’m not a doctor but I have an underactive thyroid and two of the main symptoms are feeling fatigued and feeling down. Before starting meds I was so tired I would struggle to get out of bed some mornings and another big issue for me was feeling cold all of the time. Could you maybe ask your doctor for a full thyroid blood test? X
As 1st post suggest might be an idea to see your GP and he can check your bloods etc Meantime make sure people around you for support - look at our website for info about Support Groups in your area fertilitynetworkuk.org - Access Support then select Fertility Groups and follow prompts for Regional Support details
Take care
Janet-Partner
I dont think it will be those vitamins tbh except maybe the bio quinone you could try stopping that for a few weeks to see but I would echo what other ladies have said to go and see what else it might be with your GP (thyroid, iron levels etc) I have had both and it affected my energy levels a lot. I was on iron as well but it was my reserves that was the issue and I had to take liquid iron for a bit. Sometimes these things are easily fixed so best to get a wee blood test to check things out 🤗💜 xx
And once you've got your thyroid tested take the results to the thyroid support group on this site for advice. Doctors often say these results are normal if they are in range, but the ranges are v broad and need to be optimal to conceive. Low iron levels/stores and underactive thyroid are linked and can cause infertility (that's basically my story) so hopefully your doctor will run thorough tests (ie full iron panel and thyroid panel, including T3).
Good luck!
Hello! Yes! Totally, I have been spaced out every now and then, either sleeping 10h a night or not sleeping since the start of our fertility prpblems😔 I do have an interactive thyroid due to autoimmune Hashimotos. In my case it's a reverse problem-cause dynamic. If I get through a stressful period my antibodies will increas and while TSH is fine (I do take tablets for it to keep it at bay) I will have a boast of symptoms caused by autoimmunity, including fatigue and anxiety. As many people mentioned already, thyroid is a big player and don't let your doctor talk you into saying that results over 2.5 TSH are normal (it is for general populations, not for women trying to get pregnant). It will be worth checking autoimmune thyroid cells, T3 and T4 too while you're testing; GPs won't test for it but you can purchase a relatively cheap and really quick turn around Randox private test (its £30 I think for the full panel). My friend has also recently did a private blood test for all vitamins and nutrients and that has been really helpful. She paid £80 and didn't have to go through the pain of trying to convince the NHS she needs testing, but obviously that's a personal choice. I do hope you will find answers and feel better soon! Best of luck. Xx
Thanks so much for your advice, BearPanda! Yes, I have been put down quite a lot with the NHS and having to justify why you would like some tests, so I am thinking of doing them privately as well.
There could be something related to my autoimmune system as well. Since starting the fertility treatment last year, I've noticed that every single month now I get cold sores when I'm ovulating and menstruating (I usually get those when I'm not well or very stressed, but I didn't use to get them so regularly and when I'm at these times of the month) - so obviously something has changed after the treatment. I also have noticed that my period pains (which have always been quite bad) have become really nasty and longer (sometimes over a week) after my treatment, which is something that I really struggle with. Unfortunately, the doctor didn't have much to say apart from trying again and check after 3 failed transfers. I've asked the GP for a referal for endometriosis, but the waiting list for being checked is absolutely ridiculous.
We're really thinking of moving to a fertility clinic overseas in the hope they'll do more tests and investigate more.
I'm so sorry to hear that, this sounds really frustrating! It does sound like something is 'weighing' on your immune system and I really feel for you. Also - when you know, you know. We have a great intuition for what's right and what's wrong. The NHS is really not great for looking into things like that, I just don't think their budget can stretch that far... I live in the UK, but I'm originally from Poland so we fly back and forth for all treatment -related tests there. It's really affordable to go private back home, so I'm feeling lucky that this 'option' was our default position from day 1. If you have any questions about how we're managing that, logistics, prices or anything else feel free to send me a private message. Also, I have a friend here, in the UK who has thyroid problems and does video consultations with a really great endocrinologist from abroad so there is also an option to outsource other medical problems, and even do it remotely. Sometimes that 20min chat is all you needed to get some clarity.
Thank you so much, BearPanda! I'm also looking into moving abroad too, both my husband and I are very frustrated with how slow and basic NHS services have become. We're just starting the process of searching for medical services elsewhere (we have tried Holland, but it's very difficult to navigate without someone knowing where to look) and thinking of trying Romania too (where I'm from). We have become so frustrated that we were even thinking of moving back to New Zealand (where my husband is from), but we'll try a bit more "local" before deciding what's best.
Thank you so, so much for all your suggestions and help, really appeciate it! I may get in touch if we get stuck in our search 
No problem at all! I hope it all works out well for you, it's great you are looking into your options. It's totally doable to fly back and forth, private services are very efficient and often tailored to the jet set lifestyle of their patients so can really make it work around your flights/schedule. Keep us updated how you get on with things 😊
Thank you so much for your encouragement, BearPanda! I really do feel encouraged by your comment, we started to get pretty deflated by NHS services (fertility and other services related), but feeling a bit lost with private/overseas treatment, especially because we weren't sure if it's really doable - so thanks for this, really appreciate it. I'm a bit nervous, but quite excited as well. Wish you all the very best in your journey (wherever you are in it!)
Struggling with failed IVF
Struggling
Struggling!
struggling 😢😢😢
