Baby Sorrows....

[SuzelleG]

Hi Everyone

Just wanting some advise please. I've been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism about 5 years ago and have been on the same script of 50mcg ever since. Didn't have any symptoms when I got diagnosed, but over the last 2+ years I've been starting to feel really bad. Got diagnosed with low vitamin D levels in September 2016 (levels at 25) and thought that was the problem. However I've been taking supplements since then and no improvement.

We've been trying for a baby since last March 2016 and struggled getting pregnant for quite a while. Then had a miscarriage in Oct 16 and another in Feb 17. Since then I've felt like my whole body is just shutting down. Absolutely shattered, aching and consistently swollen all over. Skin is really dry, hair is brittle and not growing along with brain fog and excessive weight gain...

Seen about 6 different GP's in the same practice over the last two years and I kept saying my levels are not right, but alas the usual response was "TSH levels are fine".

I've decided on a private blood test and got the following results this morning:

THYROID STIMULATING HORMONE *4.69 mIU/L 0.27

-

4.20

FREE THYROXINE 15.67 pmol/L 12.00

-

22.00

FREE T3 4.25 pmol/L 3.10

-

6.80

REVERSE T3 *35 ng/dL 10.00

-

24.00

REVERSE T3 RATIO *7.91

15.01

-

75.00

Spoke to a GP at surgery who called me back and said that he will increase dose to 75mcg as per the Endo's recommendations. (This particular gp tried to convince me about 5 weeks ago that I've got Fibromyalgia and treatment is antidepressants!)

Last month I've have been referred for the first time to see an Endo, but no appoints available for 18 weeks. Still have 2.5 months to wait.

I've googled treatment for Reverse T3 and it says the best way to treat it is with T3, but gp is only increasing current T4 dose.

How do I go about to get the T3 to try and get myself to some state of decent health to start trying for babies again? I know T3 hormone is vital for foetal development and as you can see mine is virtually non existent!!! I can't wait for another 6-8 weeks to tell them that the T4 increase hasn't worked.... I'm also turning 39 in May, so there is an urgency to get things sorted.

Any advise would be much appreciated. Thank you...

For those who bought T3 in UK please message me details of suppliers...

[Clutter]

SuzelleG,

I'm very sorry for your miscarriages and losses.

It is recommended that the TSH of women planning conception should be in the low-normal range 0.4 - 2.5. TSH higher than 2.5 can make conception difficult and increases the risk of miscarriage when pregnancy is achieved. When pregnancy is confirmed it is usual to increase Levothyroxine dose by 25-50mcg to ensure good foetal development.

cks.nice.org.uk/hypothyroid...

onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi...

The goal of Levothyroxine is to restore the patient to euthyroid status. For most patients that will be when TSH is 1.0 or lower with FT4 in the upper range. FT4 needs to be in the upper range in order that sufficient T3 is converted. Read Treatment Options in thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_... Email [e-mail] if you would like a copy of the Pulse article to show your GP.

It is FT4 which is essential for foetal development which is why endocrinologists will usually try to take pregnant women off NDT or Liothyronine until after delivery.

FT3 4.25 is less than half way through range but it isn't non-existant.

If you are intending to switch to T3 only you should be aware that it may take up to 4 months to reduce rT3. T3 is not available in the UK without a prescription.

The 25mcg dose increase should certainly raise your FT4 and FT3 and bring down your TSH. You might consider reducing Levothyroxine dose and adding some T3 to clear the excess rT3.

[SuzelleG in reply to Clutter]

Hi Clutter

Many thanks for your response. It's much appreciated.

[Shamrock16]

Have you had your thyroid antibodies tested? If you have them (Hashimoto's) perhaps it would be worth you looking at reproductive immunology.

[SuzelleG in reply to Shamrock16]

Hi Shamrock, I actually was thinking of having another private test for Hashimoto's. I know about the LDN drug that's supposed to help with remission... Not heard of the reproductive immunology though. Will be reading up on that.

Thanks for you response. It's much appreciated.

[Mary-intussuception]

Sorry for your losses

X

🐥

[SuzelleG in reply to Mary-intussuception]

Thank you Mary. Was quite upset today when I realised I was correct about the thyroid and that I've lost two babies because of misdiagnosis...

[SuzelleG]

Hi Reallyfedup123

Thanks for your response. I've got an appointment tomorrow to get those vitamins tested. Will let you know the outcome.

[Mary-intussuception]

I miscarried in 1985. I wonder .....

X

🐥