Graves’ disease and IVF - best Options?

[Princessyaz26]

After a failed IVF cycle I got diagnosed with Graves’ disease, so my frozen embryo transfer has been put on hold until this is fixed, I got given different options, due to my age 36 this year and severe endometriosis they have advised me to fix this problem ASAP, the specialist did tell me it can go away on its own but this would take up to a year and half possibly, which is a long time to put the next cycle on hold, he told me the best option was to start taking tablets then see how I go and operate, has any one else been in a situation like this where they had to try to fix this before the next round? How long did it take to stabilize? What decision did you take? As I’ve had a lot of issues with my endometriosis and had an operation last year (that’s when my doctors advised me to start ivf ASAP) my boyfriend finds it a bit severe to go for another operation to remove my thyroid, just a bit lost on what is best to do? He also mentioned the radiation option but said it’s not always guaranteed, my boyfriend has taken it harder than me and thinks there is no chance we will ever have a baby.

Also looking into cutting out gluten and starting an anti inflammatory diet, and take selenium and omega 3 etc...

If anyone has been in similar situation like this would be nice to hear your story, trying to stay positive! Wishing you all a good day✨✨✨🙂 thanks xxx

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Can you add your results and ranges so members can advise

TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus thyroid antibodies tested

Also vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12.

For full evaluation you ideally need TSH, FT4, FT3, TT4, TPO and TG antibodies, plus vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 tested

See if you can get full thyroid and vitamin testing from GP. Unlikely to get FT3

Private tests are available

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.

All thyroid tests should be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. This gives highest TSH and most consistent results

Link about antibodies

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

[Princessyaz26 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you @slowDragon for the link and information, this health issue is all new to me and trying to educate myself about it.

My results are the following and getting the full results this Tuesday.

Immunology TSH-receptor AK (TRACE) <0.9 (autoimmune endocrinopathies)

T4 26.1

T3 7.4

TSH 0.01

Vitamin D 40 (this always low)

Vitamin B12 128

Ferritin 67

Pyridoxal-5 phosphate 118

Will post my new results on Tuesday, thank you very much for your help x

[Cooper27]

Try reading into the auto-immune paleo diet - it is quite restrictive, and cuts out a lot of trigger foods for a few months, but you then reintroduce food groups again slowly to see which ones cause symptoms.

As you're trying to get pregnant, I would suggest you do this diet with a registered nutritionist to ensure you are getting all the nutrients you need.

[Princessyaz26 in reply to Cooper27]

Hello @Cooper27,

Thanks for your advice, I’m starting this tomorrow, since being diagnosed with endometriosis I was following a clean eating ant inflammatory diet but was still eating some bad foods at weekends and maybe odd days of the week, I also got diagnosed with lactose and fructose intolerance and went through quiet a bad time with that so cut a lot if stuff out completely, I will remove grains from my diet and try not to have any processed treats. The paleo diet looks good, do you still allow yourself to eat eggs?

I also was interested in doing the bone broth detox as that seems to be good for resetting the stomach bacterias, I’ve had problems in that area too...thanks again and will contact a nutritionist this week too!

[Cooper27 in reply to Princessyaz26]

My nutritionist recommends bone broth quite a lot, I've never gotten round to making it though (need to source bones). Adding a bowl of bone broth to your day is fine, but I'm wary of full on detoxes - you would be better to discuss it with your nutritionist.

I'm starting the paleo diet next week - I'm definitely including eggs.

Be sure your nutritionist is BANT registered - it just makes sure they are properly qualified.

[bantam12]

You can't fix Graves quickly, which ever route you take it's going to be many months before levels stabilise.

[Clutter]

Princessyaz26,

Hyperthyroidism may go into remission 12-18 months after regulation on Carbimazole. Once your thyroid levels are stable you can have implantation. You will probably be switched to Proprythioracil (PTU) as it doesn't cross the placenta as Carbimazole does.

If you have thyroidectomy you will become hypothyroid and it will take time to stabilise your thyroid levels on Levothyroxine before you can have implantation. If you have radioactive iodine you will have to wait 6 months before implantation and sometimes thyroid levels remain high.

[Princessyaz26 in reply to Clutter]

Thank you again for your helpful advice @Clutter.

I’m thinking of going for a second opinion as not too keen on the operation myself, the specialist said it can go away by itself but I think that takes a long time, I think either way I have to be patient, I’m starting the paleo diet and will google other natural ways also cutting out gluten...but I guess if my numbers have gone up higher (did test Friday get results Tuesday) specialist said I need to start taking the tablets... thank you again!

[SlowDragon Administrator]

You need to improve your vitamin D.

Suggest you try mouth spray by Better You.

Assuming you are in UK then looking at getting level up to around 100nmol

B12 - is that active B12?

There’s no ranges listed

If it’s ordinary B12 it’s too low

No folate test either

Have you had Thyroid antibodies tested. For Graves you need TrAb

Or TSI antibodies

Hashimoto’s (and Graves to lesser extent) needs TPO and TG antibodies tested

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/about_...

Read Amy Myers website- she had Graves

[Princessyaz26 in reply to SlowDragon]

Thank you very much for the advice, I got the full test at the hospital, I’m currently based in Switzerland, I take a vitamin D liquid, this teat doesn’t seem to show b12 I did last Friday...will make a photo now and show you

[Princessyaz26]

Oh, I can’t attach the photo of results, they’ve now advised no medication as previously agreed and a follow up in two weeks, tsh is 0.02 FT3 4.9, FT4 17.6, tsh up by 01, Will ask advice from my house doctor as confused. Thanks again for the link too!