Hypothyroidism and progesterone

[Mama196]

Hi does anyone know if there is a link here? I read it in a book by Dr Kharrazian and wondered other peoples’ experience? My question is specifically in relation to risk of miscarriage since I’ve had two consecutive within 9 months.

[Footello]

I had 9 miscarriages- I am now the mother of 2 children - I had one quite easily but these miscarriages came in between. Many years later after my second daughter was born and 10 years after being diagnosed I got mirena coil. I felt like a different person. All my energy returned and brain fog disappeared! The mirena is progesterone only. I’m convinced that’s why I had so many miscarriages so if I was you I’d get on to your gyne or doc and see what you can be prescribed. Good luck.

[Mama196 in reply to Footello]

Thank you for your reply- I’m so sorry to hear about all of those losses, that must have been terrible. The only thing I’ve just realised is that I used to be on the pill and had to stop it because of a funny migraine and they decided it was a risk of clots/ stroke- I think this was the progesterone only pill so maybe I can’t take supplements either. I’d better find out.

[Footello in reply to Mama196]

I think the pill is a totally different thing than a progesterone supplement. I was given progesterone throughout both pregnancies to help me but never clicked that it was a lack of it that caused miscarriage. Progesterone does exactly what it says Pro gestation! Taking it could help you see what your doc says. X

[Mama196 in reply to Footello]

Thank you!

[bookish in reply to Mama196]

Please look further into APS - Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (Hughes'/Sticky Blood) - website ghic.world/ and useful forum on here (Sticky Blood-Hughes Syndrome Support). Best wishes

[Mama196 in reply to bookish]

Thank you- I’m awaiting test results for APS.

[magsyh]

Yes it is linked and you need to talk to your doctor about utrogestan or prometrium. Only natural progesterone is used to sustain pregnancy. The pill or coil is chemical progesterone which will risk blood clots migraine etc. Lack of thyroid hormone causes lack of progesterone and lack of progesterone causes low thyroid and low cortisol. You can't have one without the other. It's also linked to cholesterol. Cholesterol and thyroid hormone bind to make pregnenolone. Pregnenolone produces progesterone or dhea. Progesterone produces cortisol and dhea produces the other sex hormones. So low thyroid causes miscarriage due to the placenta not being able to take over progesterone production at about 12 weeks. Low thyroid can also prevent ovulation and cause pcos. This is another thing doctors just don't get! This is why a woman is not likely to sustain a pregnancy with a TSH over 1.8. I have had to use natural progesterone for a few years as it was almost undetectable in a blood test. I've only just started my journey on thyroid medication and at last I'm feeling much better but I've had to educate myself to stand up to doctors.

[Mama196 in reply to magsyh]

Thanks sooo much, that’s incredibly detailed and helpful. Interesting what you said about TSH of 1.8 as well- I e always been working to 2.5 guidance but have recently decided to ask to try and get it below 1 as apparently that is optimal for many. I’m going to insist on a progesterone test! It’s frustrating as I get the impression the endocrinologist and fertility specialist are just operating in their solos and not aware of all of these links!

[magsyh in reply to Mama196]

Unfortunately they don't know much! You definitely should insist on help. Utrogestan is usually used vaginally to keep up the hormone levels during pregnancy. Are you ovulating? Perhaps it may be as simple as being undermedicated with low T4 and T3 these must be optimal not just in range. You have to push. I know it's not easy I'm fed up of fighting with gps. You should insist on proper testing. I ended up doing it all private and now I manage my own health like a lot on here it's the only way. Post any results and you will get the advice you require.

[SilverAvocado]

Mama196, Have you had full thyroid tests to make sure you're on an optimal dose?

Some in the thread have brilliant extra details, but a very simple way of saying it is that miscarriages are a hypothyroid symptom.

[Mama196 in reply to SilverAvocado]

Thanks I’m having to do a full thyroid screen privately. Have had antibodies tested once, TSH tested regularly and sometimes free T4 tested. GP will really only do T4 if I beg- they say it’s up to the lab- what a cop out!

[SilverAvocado in reply to Mama196]

You probably know but you've got to see TSH, freeT4 and freeT3 to see if your dose looks good.

It's also good to see antibodies, and if you haven't done then recently ferritin, folate, vit B12 and vit D. Medichecks and Bluehorizon do packages with all of these. Probably a cheaper option if you're going through a private doctor.

Once you get your results you can make a brand new thread so more people will see them and ask for comment.

[Blueskyyy]

how do you know that your progesterone is low ?

Do you have irregular periods ? Are your temps low ? Don’t you ovulate regularly ?

[Mama196 in reply to Blueskyyy]

I don’t know- just wondering if this could be a reason for miscarriages? Periods are regular and according to ovulation tests I’m ovulating on around Day12/13 of my cycle. I’d read that low progesterone can be a cause of miscarriage.

[asidist]

im so sorry about your miscarriages. i’m hashi’s hypo (treated w levo, decent/good ft4 but low t3, lots of hypo issues - working on getting all that in order) and i tend to always have progesterone near the top of the range. my cycles have been pretty regular all of my life besides bleeding for 4 weeks at ovulation a couple cycles ago, but when i tested my progesterone levels this month it was still good. if it’s true that most hypos have low progesterone, i would wonder if my nearly daily consumption of pumpkin seeds (esp in the lulteal phase) is what makes the difference for me. i read somewhere that pumpkin seeds support production of progesterone - i think that was in a blog of some sort and i don’t remember if i ever found good scientific evidence for that, but in any case, i love pumpkin seeds (esp roasted, yum) and they’re a good source of zinc which is critical for hypos/hashi’s so figured they can’t hurt.

best of luck to you

[Blueskyyy]

What’s the main cause of low progesterone in hypothyroid people as well as in healthy people ?