positive anti TPO antibodies, thyroiditis and pregnancy

[Angelikid88]

hello people,

I recently discovered I have thyroiditis and very high positive antibodies to TPO. This is not my only self-immune issue as I also have a condition called 'neurogenic bladder', minor eczema, and minor seasonal allergies.

What is more, I have been having a low fever for the last 12 years (my temperature is always between 37 and 37.5) and no doctor has ever found out why. I have done lots of tests, all negative.

After my first failed FET transfer, I am starting to believe that my body won't let any embryo implant as it will treat it as an intruder. Or that constant low fever underlines a permanent infection that causes infertility.

has anybody here managed to give birth with thyroid problems and/or other self-immune issues?

I asked my doctor if next time I should be taking steroids but he said they won't do anything...

Any idea or advice is highly appreciated

Thank you and stay strong!

[Millbanks]

Hello lovely,

I'm so sorry to hear of your struggles.

So I don't have an auto-immune disease but we had 5 failed transfers before I did some research in to familial auto-immune (both parents had psoriasis) and it said that this can be a marker for your own immune issues.

I pressed my consultant to do immune panel testing and my natural killer cells came back very high, so for our 6th transfer I was given 20mg prednisolone and intralipids prior - and it stuck - he's currently at nursery.

I am convinced that our previous fails were because my body was rejecting the embryo due to my high immune system. Especially because the embryo is 50% foreign DNA (unless you are using donor in which case 100%).

If you can, I would push your Dr to give you steroids, or perhaps see a specialist who can help. A Dr Sheheta's name is banded around on here a lot (although I've never seen him) but it might be worth a consultation at least.

Really hope you get some answers xx

[Angelikid88 in reply to Millbanks]

hello Millbanks,

i couldn't have hoped for a more helpful reply than yours!!! I have a very strong feeling my immune system is over-active and I am definitely going to suggest to my doctor all of your advice! I don't want to risk another precious embryo if there is a change that my body will attack it...

May I ask you one more question? do these medications hurt and cost a lot? I am going to do them anyway of course but would like to know.

Thank you so so so so much!

Congratulations on your boy, I wish you both the best of luck

Angeliki

[Millbanks in reply to Angelikid88]

That sounds like a really good idea - it was just by chance that I found out about it really so am always very happy to share my experience!

The prednisolone is actually a very cheap drug and the only real side affects I had were that I was extremely hungry all the time and put on a bit of weight - but nothing worse than that!

The test itself is a simple blood test (called the Chicago bloods). They sometimes offer a uterine biopsy instead of a blood test but my consultant didn't think it was worth that (as it's a long involved process) so I stuck with the bloods. They're not cheap but most things in IVF aren't are they!

Let me know how you get on my lovely xxx

[Angelikid88 in reply to Millbanks]

thank you dear, good to know all this

and yes, nothing is cheap with IVF! Sometimes we joke with my partner that our future child will be born with a dept 😂

i will let you know what I'll find out with my tests

thank you again! <3

[Nevergu]

LDN has reduced my TPO antibodies within months. I was also on Levothyroxine for a couple of years to manage my tsh which was slightly raised. Steroids are not expensive but testing for immunes is very costly especially if done in the UK. You can do it cheaper in Greece but even there prices are going up. Depends on what else they found the reagent can be costly too if you need IVIG or LIT. Look at Lotus medicus if Greece is at all an option, they are nice there. Good luck

[Angelikid88 in reply to Nevergu]

hello Nvergu, thank you so much for your reply and insights! I had not clue about LDN but it sounds interesting...

all the best to you

Xxx

p.s it sounds like you know a lot about the health care system in Greece I am going to search for the clinic you recommended

[Kerry1487]

I’ve got Hashimotos and TPO antibodies. I’m on levothyroxine to bring my TSH below 2.5 which I’ve been told is good for fertility. I’m also enquiring about steroids before my FET and I’m waiting on a response. There is a lot of evidence from other people’s successes that prednisone can help achieve a pregnancy. I hope you get the answers you need x

[Angelikid88]

hey Kerry, thank you so much for your response! yes I hadn't heard about prednisone before I got a reply from Millbanks yesterday but I am reading about it and it sounds promising... I hope it doesn't have too much or long term effects. Let me know what your doctor told you, I am having my appointment coming Tuesday and I can also update you on what he suggested about steroids, prednisone or anything else

xxx