Living with hypothyroidism

[Yammie1973]

I am 44 years old and about to embark on ajourney of IVF with my husband. My fertility hormones are that of someone who is 10 years younger, so all good for now. My private fertility consultant has indicated that I may be taking too much Levothyroxine at 200mcg per day and that I am anaemic AND has asked that I get my ferritin levels checked. Why wasn't my anaemia and ferritin levels checked years ago when I was diagnosed with under active thyroid. Is there any other thyroid problems relating to fertility and pregnancy that I should be aware of seeing as my NHS GP is so forthcoming with info!!!!

[Marz]

You also need good levels of VitD and B12 for a healthy baby. If you post your most recent results for the thyroid - with ranges - people will support with suggestions if needed.

Good levels of B12 - Folate - Ferritin and VitD are needed for the T4/Levo to convert into the Active thyroid hormone T3 - the hormone that is needed in every cell of the body.

I have just posted this morning about VitD and pregnancy - click onto my name above - then Click Posts

The website Hypothyroidmom - also has good articles ....

[Yammie1973 in reply to Marz]

Hi Marz

I am already taking folic acid and have been for some time, as well as a high density vitamin B, the only thing I am short on is ferritin, so here are my latest thyroid results:

TSH - 0.033

Free thyroxin 21.5pmol/l

My full count showed anaemia - with Hb of 104gl and a low MCV at 74.5 and a low MCH at 22.7

I have been foolish to just trust and believe blindly what I have been told, but this is going to impact my future child, so time to arm up!

Thank you for the information.

[Clutter in reply to Yammie1973]

Yammie,

If FT4 21.5 is within range you are not overmedicated despite suppressed TSH.

[Marz in reply to Yammie1973]

If you have struggled with infertility in the past then go back through your records/results and check those B12 levels. If low there is a connection. Sally Pacholok 's book - Could it be B12 ?? Every home should have a copy 😊

[Marz in reply to Yammie1973]

Hi Yammie1973 - was in a rush yesterday ! Am assuming the High Density Vit B is a B complex containing some B12. Sometimes that is not enough B12. If you are tested now - be prepared for the B12 result to look reasonable due to the supplement. Check out the dosage if you can see it

The amount of B12 in the blood test is not all available to be transported into the cells where it is needed ....

With Low Ferritin it is quite possible you are not converting the 200mcg of Levo into the Active T3 hormone well. Same applies to VitD - Folate - B12. All need to be optimal for thyroid hormones to work well and for conversion to take place ....

verywell.com/the-effects-of...

articles.mercola.com/sites/...

[Yammie1973]

Morning Marz

Spoke to my GP, he said that he is prepared to do a blood test for ferritin and amended Levothyroxine as required by fertility consultant but under no circumstances will he do a B12 deficiency test (I am assuming that it has something to do with NHS budgets and costs etc.) I haven't started the high strength vit b supplement, just thinking about it at present.

[Katepots]

Hypothyroidmom.com

Some really good info here.

[Katepots]

TSH should be under 2 for pregnancy. High TSH can be linked to miscarriage and infertility. Don't want to alarm you but if you know you can do something about it.x

[haggisplant in reply to Katepots]

Very surpressed tsh and high t4 can also cause issues (I speak from experience) do best to stay in a safety zone of around 0.8-1 no higher than 1.5 Tsh.

My sons growth and birth weight and placenta may have been affected by being on too much thyroxine.

[haggisplant in reply to haggisplant]

You may be more likely to get a b12 test post partum as b12 is a common deficiency after birth and necessary esp if bfing.

Pregnacare vitamin has a good level of b vitamins.