Hi, have posted here before as we were trying to conceive and my TSH level was measuring between 2.7 and 3.2 over the last year and was advised by others that it should ideally be below 2 if trying to conceive. Both GP and private endo were of opinion it was fine as I hadn't been diagnosed and treated for a thyroid condition previously.
I have had 2 cycles of IVF since then, my first clinic initially said it needed to be below 2.5 but with my previous reading of 3.03 in May they were happy to start treatment, we had no embryos to transfer that round. My 2nd cycle was donor egg cycle and my new clinic said was fine but recommended a retest early in first trimester. This cycle worked and I'm 5w+1 today.
I retested my TSH via Medichecks on Monday and got result this morning saying it's 4.99 (ref 0.4 - 4.2) so it's outside of normal range for a non-pregnant person and I think it should be below 2.5 for first trimester. I've booked a GP appointment for monday in the hope that he'll start me on levothyroxine to bring my level down and monitor me during my pregnancy. I'm a little worried as had a missed miscarriage earlier this year and foetus stopped developing around 5 weeks, probably completely unrelated to thyroid but it does worry me that it's elevated.
Has anyone been in a similar situation, how much levo did your doctor start you on and how long did it take for levels to get below 2?
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ShelboBaggins76
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Hopefully if they feel your TSH is too high they will tell your doctor that it must be looked at to safeguard a successful pregnancy. That little one is very precious!
For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4, FT3 plus TPO and TG thyroid antibodies and also very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12
Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or vitamins
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 special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random
All thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting.
This gives highest TSH and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)
If antibodies are high this is Hashimoto's, (also known by medics here in UK more commonly as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto's. Low vitamins are especially common with Hashimoto's. Food intolerances are very common too, especially gluten. So it's important to get TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once .
I'm already pregnant, not sure if you missed this from my original post. Previously tested TPO and TgAb which were negative, mum has Graves so I'm very familiar with all the literature etc. FT3 and and FT4 both previously tested and were in lower quarter of reference range but are now higher.
I'm seeing GP on Monday morning, I saw him yesterday morning but my Medichecks results were late so didn't have them in time for appointment. I'm on high dose of folic acid (5mg) and also taking vitamin D and Omega 3 fish oils. Will ask about getting other tests done though not sure if midwife will do these anyway as part of booking in process, can't recall from last time. In a strange way I'm relieved my TSH is over normal reference range as my GP should take me seriously now, but annoyed it has come to this despite my protests and paying £250 a private endo for a 2nd opinion. Thanks.
Not sure if you missed the point that I'm already pregnant. Private endo that I went to after GP wouldn't treat me said he would only treated an undiagnosed case if over 4 and mine was 2.7 at time. Both IVF clinics due to me being only slightly over 2.5 also felt that 3.03 didn't warrant treatment. I assume guidelines for under 2.5 preconception are to ensure treatment is started earlier before conception as it is known that TSH increases in early pregnancy which can put pregnancy at risk. It's a shame that I find myself in this position now after trying to preempt it, I can't change this but I'm looking for advice regarding treatment.
Hopefully it will be monitored from now on. Don't think they even tested TSH previous pregnancy as part of midwife's tests. As I understand it auto immunities aren't always hereditary, though it's possible for me to develop it during pregnancy or post-partum. I've had some weird inflammatory issues (stomach and eye) over the last few years and thought might be related to immune system but not been investigated further.
Congratulations on your pregnancy. I can't answer your question specifically as I was on Levo prior to an IVF cycle. But to give you an idea of doses and times, I was increased from 75mcg to 100mcg just after BFP (tsh had gone up to over 4, after being at 1 before stim meds) and my next test 2 weeks later had my tsh back down to 2ish. Wishing you the best of luck.
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