Unexplained infertility - could it be low TSH? - Thyroid UK

Thyroid UK

137,936 members ā€¢ 161,765 posts

Unexplained infertility - could it be low TSH?

Olivia80 profile image
Olivia80
ā€¢7 Replies

Hi everyone šŸ‘‹šŸ¼

This forum has been extremely helpful in getting my life back on track after having my thyroid removed in 2016 due to thyroid cancer. Itā€™s been a while since Iā€™ve had bloods done (probably a year) but TSH was sitting at <0.01.

Weā€™ve recently been undergoing fertility treatment and have had 3 failed IVF rounds. Everything goes to plan until that embryo goes back in me and I donā€™t get pregnant. My consultant explores with me at my last meeting whether Iā€™d consider reducing my medication to increase TSH to optimum for getting pregnant (between 1&2). Now thereā€™s obviously the issue with the cancer but for me, if I drop for 175mcg to 150mcg I trip up my feet, my hair falls out, I feel terrible. So how could that support a pregnancy when Iā€™d then be scrambling to get medication back to a level to make me feel good again whilst also supporting the pregnancy. So I ruled that out .

Iā€™m seeing my cancer consultant soon for check up and want to talk to him about this. I run hot on 175mcgā€™s of Levo only - maybe that doesnā€™t help pregnancy? I then supplement with b12/calcium/vitD/magnesium (from advice on here).

But is this the only way?

My TSH doesnā€™t need to be as low as it is, but can I reduce the Levo and still feel normal?

Listening to all your advice and thanks in advance x

Written by
Olivia80 profile image
Olivia80
To view profiles and participate in discussions please or .
Read more about...
7 Replies
ā€¢
SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator

Just testing TSH is completely inadequate

You always need to test FT3 and FT4 as well. Frequently on just Levothyroxine FT3 is too low

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested. Also extremely important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if FT3 is not high enough

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and fasting. Last Levothyroxine dose should be 24 hours prior to test, (taking delayed dose immediately after blood draw). This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip, best not mentioned to GP or phlebotomist)

Is this how you do your tests?

Private tests are available. Thousands on here forced to do this as NHS often refuses to test FT3 or antibodies or all vitamins

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 special offers, Medichecks usually have offers on Thursdays, Blue Horizon its more random

Always take Levo on empty stomach and then nothing apart from water for at least an hour after. Many take early morning, on waking, but it may be more convenient and possibly more effective taken at bedtime.

verywell.com/should-i-take-...

Other medication at least 2 hours away, some like HRT, iron, calcium, vitamin D or magnesium at least four hours away from Levothyroxine

Many people find Levothyroxine brands are not interchangeable.

Once you find a brand that suits you, best to make sure to only get that one at each prescription. Watch out for brand change when dose is increased or at repeat prescription.

Many patients do NOT get on well with Teva brand of Levothyroxine. Though it is the only one for lactose intolerant patients

Come back with new post once you have results and ranges

Olivia80 profile image
Olivia80

Hi, this is how I take pills/vitamins and do blood tests following your previous advice.

Iā€™m aware that TSH alone isnā€™t a fair guide but for the purposes of the ā€œunexplained fertilityā€ and what the fertility doc said about TSH levels, Iā€™m curious as to what other ways of treating this there may be, to increase TSH whilst maintaining my current ability to have a life!

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Olivia80

Many people have low FT3 on just Levothyroxine

Olivia80 profile image
Olivia80 in reply to SlowDragon

Hi, Iā€™ve just got Medicheck results in...

SlowDragon profile image
SlowDragonAdministrator in reply to Olivia80

Are you going to put these on new post

That way more members can advise on next steps

Olivia80 profile image
Olivia80 in reply to SlowDragon

Done! Thanks

Olivia80 profile image
Olivia80 in reply to Olivia80

CRP HS - 4.28 (>5)

Ferritin - 96.1 (13-150)

Folate serum - 19.8 (>3.89)

B12 - 261 (37.5-188)

Vit D - 98.1 (50-175)

TSH - <0.005 (0.27-4.2)

Free T3 - 6.19 (3.1-6.8)

Free thyroxine - 21.6 (12-22)

Thyroglobulin - <10 šŸ˜ (<115)

Thyroid peroxidase - <9 (<34)

Any tips from these?

You may also like...

Could my low TSH be the problem

carb for 5 weeks today i got my blood tests back my tsh has not moved at all and is still at 0.2.0...

Could ultra low TSH be due to pituitary issues?

GP has had a bee in his bonnet about my ultra low TSH. I had Medichecks test done before lockdown,...

Low TSH and carnivore diet

grain of NDT and 50mcg of levo. I've just had my thyroid results back and my TSH is lowered....

Low TSH, normal T4 and T3

the treatment I was 7 weeks pregnant with my first baby and due to my thyroid levels which were...

Is this TSH and T4 too low?

there was lactose in the Levo, my G.P. Kindly agreed to me swapping to Armour Thyroid instead. I...