Medication and fertility etc...

[Karlos]

Hello all; I'm 39 years old and have hashi's. I am taking Levothyroxine and T3, at the end of the day sleep is my main problem, I'm really quite fit and very active, and don't really suffer with many of the usual hypo symptoms.

Can my medications effect fertility? or more to the point (as I think my girlfriend could be pregnant), my main worry is, could my medication have any effects on the baby?

Am I worrying needlessly?

Thanks

Karlos.

[marram]

Hi Karlos

Thyroxine and T3 are not actually drugs, they are hormones which you are taking to replace the hormones your thyroid should produce but cannot due to the Hashi's. Hypothyroidism if untreated can affect both male and female fertility, but if your girlfriend is pregnant then clearly that problem has been solved by your hormone replacement.

Hypothyroidism in women can cause problems in pregnancy, but if a pregnant woman is hypothyroid then the dose of thyroid hormone is usually increased to allow for the baby's needs as well as the mother's, and regular blood tests monitor the hormone levels.

In your own case that is not the situation, so as far as I am aware you have no need to worry that any harm could have been done to the baby. I have looked for information on this and while it is true that male fertility is affected by low thyoid function, once this is corrected things go back to normal. I have found nothing which suggests any possible harm to the baby by the father's hypothyroidism.

I do hope that this eases your fears. Enjoy your baby!

Marie XX

[Karlos in reply to marram]

Thank you Marram, that does put my mind at rest somewhat!