Thyroid test

[Cridog]

Hello everyone,

I've posted here before about some of the issues I have with fatigue and depression, and someone has suggested to test for thyroid issues.

I now have an appointment with the doctor to ask for the thyroid test, but would be really great if I know exactly what I need to ask to be tested - including some of the biomarkers that could explain inferility. I would greatly appreciate your help, as I'm a bit lost trying to find this information online.

Many thanks!

[Clara22]

Hi. If you ask the GP to test your thyroid they will usually test for Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH), free T3 and free T4. The NHS defines normal range of TSH as 0.5-5.0 however for fertility, clinics prefer it to be under 2, so I know some people have had to push to start treatment.

Sorry, I don’t know much about the T3 and T4 tests, as mine has always been in normal range, so hopefully someone else can explain if you need it.

There is a forum for Thyroid issues on this site and the people on it are very knowledgeable about the different aspects and can help you make sense of results etc.

[JA-fnuk Partner Nurse Fertility Network UK]

Just explain to the your GP your symptoms and your concerns about the possible effects it could have on trying to conceive He may then suggest other blood test as well as for thyroid such as blood tests on certain days of your cycle

Take care

Janet-Partner

[Cridog in reply to JA-fnuk]

Thank you! I have explained, but they didn't recommend the thyroid, I've done some other hormone tests as I was very worried that I may be perimenopausal, but all levels seem to be fine. Unfortunately, the doctor said she's not very familiar with fertility issues and doesn't know what other tests to recommend, and the fertility specialist (last year when I had a failed IVF) said there are no other tests to be done. Somebody recommended the thyroid tests - the symptoms have appeared over the last 4-5 months.

[Tiger37]

Hi, I would suggest getting another appointment with a different GP and pushing for the thyroid test. Our fertility consultant suggested a thyroid test just to rule the issue out after our first implantation failure. I had no symptoms and was not expecting anything to come back but my TSH was slightly raised and so they wanted to medicate before any further fertility treatment. Regarding fertility, it’s only really the TSH result they seem to be interested in. As others have said the thyroid forum on here is really good so if you do get a test and post your results (anonymised) then people will be able to help explain what they mean.

[Cridog in reply to Tiger37]

Hi Tiger37, thanks so much for this. I've made an appointment with the GP (available in 3 weeks from now) and will ask for the thyroid issue. I would really want to rule this out or get treatment if it turns out to be an issue - first, for fertility reasons, then because I've had some horrible symptoms with fatigue and depression (plus dry skin and brittle hair). Thanks so much for all the advice, very much appreciate it!