Trying to conceive after loss with thyroid issues

[Laquin]

Hi All,

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.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Are you sure this is Graves, not Hashimoto's?

Positive TPO can be either (or both)

Someone else with more experience of Graves might elaborate on specific Graves tests.

You might need a TSI antibodies test?

Read Amy Myers website too. She had Graves

Gluten free diet may help, especially if it's Hashimoto's, though I think it also helps with Graves

Your FT4 is pretty low

If your in UK you can get private tests

Definitely check vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 including ranges

If you can't get full thyroid and vitamin testing from GP

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

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).

[humanbean]

You might find this website helpful - the owner/author of the site has Graves' and has blogged about it extensively :

elaine-moore.com/

[Laquin]

Many thanks for your reply SlowDragon.

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 will also check out Amy's website.

[humanbean in reply to Laquin]

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.

[Laquin in reply to humanbean]

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...

[Laquin in reply to Laquin]

And Cytoplan's Vegan Omega 3...

[humanbean in reply to Laquin]

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 :

TSH

Total T4

Free T4

Free T3

Thyroid Antibodies - TPO and Tg

Vitamin B12

Vitamin D

Folate

Ferritin

CRP (C-Reactive Protein)

An iron panel can be done for £39.

[Laquin in reply to humanbean]

Thanks humanbean! Will run it past the GP...

Do you know anything about ubiquinol?

[humanbean in reply to Laquin]

No, sorry!

[Laquin in reply to humanbean]

No worries. A lot of people seem to have success by supplementing B-complex and there were impressive trials for PABA.

[Laquin]

Thanks for the link humanbean!

Much appreciated.

[Boohbette17]

Hi my dear, I hope things turn around soon for you. Take a look at this site. God Bless 🌈😇

[Boohbette17 in reply to Boohbette17]

hypothyroidmom.com/hypothyr...

[Laquin]

Thanks Boohette! 🌈😇

[Boohbette17 in reply to Laquin]

Ah Laquin , I didnt get this notification - just saw! You’re very welcome🌈😊

[Boohbette17 in reply to Laquin]

I forgot — there's pertinent info here too

saragottfriedmd.com/ditch-t...

[Laquin in reply to Boohbette17]

Thanks Boohbette! 😊

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...

[Boohbette17 in reply to Laquin]

That’s so good about your own detective work !! And super idea! on seeking the specialist input 👌 😃

Keep us posted🌺

[Laquin in reply to Boohbette17]

Can't really afford it but have to try everything we can... 🌈

[Boohbette17 in reply to Laquin]

👶👌🌠

[Topes009]

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.

wildfare.co.uk/foresight-pr...

[Laquin in reply to Topes009]

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 😀

[Topes009 in reply to Laquin]

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. 😊