Struggling to conceive and feeling down. Anyone else?

[mitchellrose54]

Trying to conceive and it wasn't happening for us so went for checks and was thrown this stupid underactive thyroid curveball. Anyone here in the same position? Feels like everyone around me is getting pregnant. Could really use some support 🙁

[Jasp6]

Me and my husband tried unsuccessfully for a family for 5 years before it was spotted that my TSH was a bit high (only 3.8). Further tests showed i had autoimmune hypothyroidism. The good news is that after starting on levo i went on to have 2 out of 3 successful IVF cycles. Please don’t give up hope. I remember only too well how it felt in your position. Sending big hugs.

[Jasp6]

If you have some blood test results for thyroid and things like iron, b12, folate - it would be worth sharing them here. You may have more success if you can get these more optimal - doctors tend to only note if they are in range, which is often not enough to restore health.

[SlowDragon Administrator]

See on your previous post you have only just had increase in dose up to standard starter dose of 50mcg levothyroxine

Starting on 25mcg was too low....unless elderly or heart condition

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose increase in levothyroxine

ALWAYS get copies of your actual results and ranges

Important to see exactly what has been tested and equally important what hasn’t been tested yet

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 plus both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested. Also EXTREMELY important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12

Low vitamin levels are extremely common, especially if you have autoimmune thyroid disease (Hashimoto's) diagnosed by raised Thyroid antibodies

Ask GP to test vitamin levels

You may need to get full Thyroid testing privately as NHS refuses to test TG antibodies if TPO antibodies are negative

Recommended on here that all thyroid blood tests should ideally be done as early as possible in morning and before eating or drinking anything other than water .

Last dose of Levothyroxine 24 hours prior to blood 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)

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

thyroiduk.org.uk/tuk/testin...

For thyroid including antibodies and 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

If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3 £29 (via NHS private service )

monitormyhealth.org.uk/thyr...

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 primary 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 .

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/tuk/testing/t...

Link about antibodies and Hashimoto's

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

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

List of hypothyroid symptoms

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

Always keep good records of how you feel on each dose. Note which brand of levothyroxine suits you best and stick on this one at each prescription renewal

Come back with new post once you get hold of last blood test results and when have new test in few weeks time

You are legally entitled to printed copies of your blood test results and ranges.

The best way to get access to current and historic blood test results is to register for online access to your medical record and blood test results

UK GP practices are supposed to offer everyone online access for blood test results. Ring and ask if this is available and apply to do so if possible, if it is you may need "enhanced access" to see blood results.

In reality many GP surgeries do not have blood test results online yet

Alternatively ring receptionist and request printed copies of results. Allow couple of days and then go and pick up.

[mitchellrose54]

Thanks all. I do have days where I feel really down about it all & today is one of those days! 🙁

I asked about vitamin levels after my last post and doctor said they were "fine" before. She is a really lovely, supportive doctor who I've seen since the start of all this (September 2019) and she says she honestly thinks its just my thyroid causing issues so hopefully when it's under control things should be better

My dose was upped by 25mg (to 75mg) more bloods due in 5 weeks x

[SlowDragon Administrator in reply to mitchellrose54]

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. Teva is the only brand that makes 75mcg tablet.

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Always get actual results and ranges

GP would say B12 was “fine” if result was 210 (range 190-750)

Thyroid patients need OPTIMAL Vitamin levels

GP only obligated to treat actual deficiencies

Optimal vitamin D - at least over 80nmol and over 100nmol may be better

B12 over 500

Folate over 10

Ferritin at least half way through range

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/286...

Vitamin D deficiency is frequent in Hashimoto's thyroiditis and treatment of patients with this condition with Vitamin D may slow down the course of development of hypothyroidism and also decrease cardiovascular risks in these patients. Vitamin D measurement and replacement may be critical in these patients.

endocrine-abstracts.org/ea/...

Evidence of a link between increased level of antithyroid antibodies in hypothyroid patients with HT and 25OHD3 deficiency may suggest that this group is particularly prone to the vitamin D deficiency and can benefit from its alignment.

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/186...

There is a high (approx 40%) prevalence of B12 deficiency in hypothyroid patients. Traditional symptoms are not a good guide to determining presence of B12 deficiency. Screening for vitamin B12 levels should be undertaken in all hypothyroid patients, irrespective of their thyroid antibody status. Replacement of B12 leads to improvement in symptoms,

[mitchellrose54]

Thanks SlowDragon

[mitchellrose54]

That's really informative and helpful xx

[hels333]

Sorry to hear you are feeling so low just now, and are struggling to conceive.

Have you had your progesterone levels checked?

Helen