Newbie questions!

[Lulu2604]

So as a bit of background, my OH and I have been trying for a baby for almost 12 months. In that time I think I have had 5 very early miscarriages. I've seen the GP who has started us on the fertility referral testing programme.

I mentioned Thyroid to her, as my mum, her 2 sisters and my late grandmother are/were all diagnosed as hypothyroid, I believe immune mediated (Mum definitely is).

I got my results today (stupidly did not write the figures down) but TSH was at the very lower end of the normal range and T4 was right in the middle of normal. I do think I have some symptoms that could be related to poor thyroid function: cold extremities, especially my feet, although I am not massively overweight I do struggle to lose it despite doing more than average exercise, poor skin, tiredness.

I am 36, I know mum wasn't diagnosed until she was in her 40s.

I'm considering getting the private tests done to truly rule out any thyroid influence on the fertility side - as my family history clearly isn't great! Does the collective wisdom think this is a good idea or am I barking up the wrong tree hoping there's going to be a simple solution to the lack of baby? Thanks for any advice.

[Greybeard]

It would be helpful if you get the results and their ranges.

In general terms a tsh of over 2.5 can be a problem when getting pregnant and carrying to full term.

[SeasideSusie Remembering]

As there is hypothyroidism in the family, then personally I would go for private testing, the full thyroid panel to include

TSH

FT4

FT3

TPO antibodies

TG antiobidies

My daughter-in-law had multiple miscarriages due to undiagnosed hypothyroidism. Her results weren't high enough for the NHS to diagnose it, but a private doctor started her on Levo. After a successful pregnancy and thyroid testing in hospital, the fact that it had been written on her notes "Thyroid results satisfactory for someone on Levothyroxine" meant that the GP then had to accept the diagnosis and prescribed Levo on the NHS.

Have a look at Medichecks and Blue Horizon, both labs recommended here.

Full thyroid panel:

medichecks.com/thyroid-func...

bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/t...

Full thyroid panel plus vitamins and minerals:

medichecks.com/thyroid-func... (Best value as on offer until the end of this month)

bluehorizonmedicals.co.uk/t...

[Lulu2604 in reply to SeasideSusie]

Thanks, think I might go for the private test and see what it comes up with.

I want to say my TSH was 0.9 and my T4 was 17, but I only glanced quickly at the Drs computer screen! I've got more blood results for FSH and LH pending (progesterone was normal) so when I ring up for those I will ask for the thyroid figures.

[humanbean in reply to Lulu2604]

I'd definitely recommend the test listed by SeasideSusie which includes the vitamins and minerals testing. The consequences of low vitamins and minerals on the health of any future offspring can be dreadful.

medichecks.com/thyroid-func...

pdfs.semanticscholar.org/0f...

I realise the second link is quite old, but it is easy enough to search for :

"consequences of low nutrients on fetal health" (or offspring health or baby health or embryo health)

[shaws Administrator in reply to Lulu2604]

If you decide to do private blood tests make sure you are well hydrated a couple of days before as they are pin-prick tests and it makes the blood draw easier. You get better resuts drawing blood early a.m. and also it should be a fasting one (you can drink water).