I suffered a miscarriage followed by an unexplained stillbirth at 26wks last year. I became thyrotoxic earlier this year four months after the birth and was put on PTU. I have a thyroid nodule which was tested as benign (sister had thyroid cancer). The Obstetrician suspects Graves (loads in my family) but they don't want to do radioactive iodine test as I just turned 45 and it really is last chance saloon for me to try and conceive.
Currently I'm on 50mg of PTU (started on 400mg) but think my T4 is a bit on the low side. Most recent blood results from last month:
TSH 1.35 mU/L range (0.35-5.00 U)
Free T4 11.2 pmol/L range (9.0-21.0 U)
Thankfully I am TRAb negative but tested positive for TPO antibodies last year two months after the birth:
Thyroid Perox. ABs 493.9 U/ml range (<<<6.0 U)
I wonder if I should be taken off the PTU or have a low dose of thyroxine. We are considering IVF...
I've also been considering taking ubiquinol and DHEA to try and improve egg quality but my Endocrinologist says to keep things simple.
Any advice/ insights would be much appreciated.
Written by
Laquin
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Medichecks Thyroid plus ultra vitamin or Blue Horizon Thyroid plus eleven are the most popular choice. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw. Both companies often have money off offers. DIY finger prick test or option to pay extra for private blood draw or
All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting (and don't take Levo in the 24 hours prior to test, delay and take straight after).
Endocrinologist said they can only differentiate between potential causes of Graves, post-partum thyroiditus or a hot nodule by doing a radioactive iodine test. So they'll just treat the symptoms whilst we're trying.
I got vitamin levels tested two months after the birth and they were fine as were TSH and T4 which were tested throughout the pregnancy. Getting TSH and T4 tested in a week's time, then I see the Endocrinologist again. Also testing parathyroid as I read this has been linked to unexplained second trimester loss. The Obstetrician said it might be Hashimotio's or both!
Thank you for the link for the tests. Hopefully I can persuade my GP to do some of them. I always seem to get mouth ulcers in the luteal phase of my cycle which may indicate a deficiency. I'm gluten free now.
I don't mean to be awkward, but who decided your vitamin levels were fine? If it was a doctor, in your shoes, I would want to see the results and the reference ranges they thought were fine. Doctors are not taught anything about nutrition, and they seem to think that anything that can be fixed with a vitamin or mineral supplement cannot be serious. They also have a habit of thinking "that's close enough" if the result is a bit under the range.
It makes a massive difference to feelings of well-being if we get our vitamins and minerals optimised.
For example, a serum B12 level of 200 ng/L with a range of (197 - 771) is in range, and to many doctors is perfectly healthy. But you would probably feel a whole lot better if your result was 770 ng/L, and that is in range too!
Optimum levels are not always mid-range or top of range. The optimal level depends on what vitamin or mineral you are discussing.
The Obstetrician said my levels were fine. But I'll talk to my GP and ask for tests before we go for IVF.
I think because the stillbirth was unexplained I'm scared to supplement more than what I'm taking at the moment; a Cytoplan prenatal, extra folate and Vit C...
Ask for an iron panel, vitamin D, vitamin B12 and folate. If your doctor refuses to do them you could pay privately to have them done. You could get the following done for £99 with a finger-prick test and without involving doctors :
I was just wondering about dairy. For a long time I've been taking almond milk with cereal but read that almonds can be bad for some thyroid conditions so I switched back to lactofree milk. After reading this I think I'll try coconut milk and try cutting out the cheese too.
Just trying to make an appointment with a Reproductive Immunologist to see if that helps...
I’m so sorry to hear of your losses. I have also suffered them and know how devastating it is.
I also had an unexplained stillborn baby and multiple miscarriages after that. I have Hashimotos, thyroid removed and on replacement thyroxine. My antibodies were high, I followed the Foresight diet complete with vitamins and minerals. It was quite hard to do but it did improve my health hugely. I also used to take low dose aspirin to help with the antibodies levels, recommended by the specialist. Worth looking into the antibodies more, there were more intense treatments for those at that time and I’m sure they have advanced a lot in the recent years.
Thank you for replying. I went down the immunology route and got tested and treated by Mr Shehata in Epsom. Turns out I have sky high levels of ANAs (antinuclear antibodies) associated with lupus and other autoimmune conditions. He treated me with hydroxychloroquinine and now I have one year old boy/girl twins 😀
That is so good to hear! I’m sorry I didn’t read the date of your post! What a muppet I am! But I’m so glad to hear you were listened to and treated. Congratulations on your twins. 😊
Content on HealthUnlocked does not replace the relationship between you and doctors or other healthcare professionals nor the advice you receive from them.
Never delay seeking advice or dialling emergency services because of something that you have read on HealthUnlocked.
Please help: Interpret results?
NDT and trying to conceive
Back on thyroid medication after months : please advices
Thyroid issues
