Hypothyroidism diagnosis

[Happychicken123]

Just wondering if anyone can help me understand a bit more about how this condition would affect IVF using a donor egg? Newly diagnosed and in need of a bit of help! Thanks

[CyclingAddict]

Hey, I have this. Wasn't an issue. I went on medication to get my TSH levels down prior and after transfer. I was also put on steroids five days before transfer and until I was in my 15th week of pregnancy. It shouldn't be an issue if it's managed. Good luck! X

[Happychicken123 in reply to CyclingAddict]

Thank you!

[Hidden]

Hello! Have you checked your tpo antibodies?

Please get those checked

If those are fine and you are not tpo positive and it may just be your tsh that is elevated . Either way levo thyroxine should help . It needs to be below 2.5 for fertility .

I am not sure about the donor eggs x

[Hanj10]

I think it can affect implantation if not under 2.5 but with levothyroxine it can be quickly brought down. I’m on 25mcg normally but in pregnancy the dose increases to 50 as baby takes some of the hormone from you x

[Eloquentia]

Hi! Long term hypothyroidism sufferer here. Elevated levels of the thyroid hormones and antibodies negatively affect implantation. Leovthyroxine will help get those under control but it does take time to start working. If I remember correctly, my clinic wants you on it for a couple of months before any IVF treatment. Very best of luck!

[Glaedy]

Hi, I have it for years before starting IVF I was on 25mcg to keep TSH under 2.5, and after successful transfer hospital increased it to 50mcg and I am on that dose since.

[Happychicken123]

I've been on 25mg for 4 weeks now and will be retested in another 4 weeks. Does anyone know how much it tends to drop by? I know it might be a while. My initial test was quite high.

[Habibi87 in reply to Happychicken123]

Did they only test TSH or did they also test your T4, T3 and antibodies ? The TSH is a pituitary hormone that basically tells your thyroid how much T4 (another hormone) to make. Your TSH at 30 is basically begging your thyroid to make more T4. Levothyroxine is a synthetic thyroid hormone which should increase your T4 levels as well as your T3 levels (converted T4). Once your T4 values go up, your TSH will register that it no longer needs to push your thyroid to make more T4 and the value should go down. To assess if the 25mcg dose is correct you should get T4 and T3 tested and the dose adjusted normally every 6 weeks. In most cases (not always though) hypothyroidism is caused by an autoimmune condition called Hashimoto. This condition attacks the thyroid overtime and prevents it from making enough T4 on its own. To find out if this is the case you’d need a number of thyroid antibodies tested. It might be good to find out as if it is autoimmune some clinics might want to add other medicines to your transfer. The thyroid U.K. support group on this forum is great and they would be able to advice a lot more! They normally also recommend checking certain key vitamins (b12, d, folate I think ) as well as ferritin, because hypothyroidism often leads to bad absorption and these are key for your wellbeing and conception (they can easily be optimised through supplements). Sending you lots of luck on your journey