Joint pain in fingers after embryo transfer IVF with Hashimotos / autoimmune condition. Immune system attacking embryo?

[OllieMac]

I'm wondering if anyone else has experience of the body almost attacking an embryo after a transfer in IVF. I've had it after every one (3 so far) and they have all resulted in a failed cycle.

I have been on levothyroxine for a few years for my Hashis. My antibodies were 1300 at their peak and currently 607. My TSH is 2.5 this month this has jumped up from 0.62 last month......maybe as a result of the medication we are taking for our current IVF round.

I started taking steroids, blood thinner injections, baby aspirin, and my levothyroxine was upped to 100mg in October.

We had the embryo transfer on Friday and on Saturday night and Sunday morning I had really bad throbbing pain in my knuckles of my right hand again, just like before which is making me think this one will be a negative too. Heart breaking and soul destroying to be honest.

I have been to see a private endocrinologist who upped my dose to 100mg from 75mg. He was nice, helpful etc but keeping upping my dose doesn't seem to be helping with this recurring problem. It feels like my immune system is attacking the embryo and not letting it implant.

I am gluten, soy, alcohol, dairy free and am not sure what else we can do to avoid this happening again.

Has anyone experienced anything like this? It would be interesting to know if anyone has been to a see someone in London with a fertility endocrinology background or an immunologist?

Thank you so much.

[Clutter]

OllieMac,

It is usual to increase dose by 25-50mcg when pregnancy is confirmed to keep TSH in the low-normal range 0.4 - 2.5 during the first trimester. TSH >2.5 increases the risks of miscarrying. I would increase dose to 125mcg immediately and contact your fertility consultant or endocrinologist. onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

I think you will get more help about the joint pain and your concerns about the embryo if you contact one of the fertility/IVF fora on HU. Click on My Communities and type IVF or Fertility into the Search function and hit enter/return.