Hi,
We’ve been TTC since June 2020 with no luck, I had a blood test in November 2020 which showed my TSH at 4.4 which I know is too high for TTC but my GP won’t do anything about it or even re test it. I’m stuck in limbo and not sure what to do from here. Is there anything I can do to try and bring it down naturally?
Welcome to the forum
Yes TSH should be under 2.5 before TTC
Strongly recommend getting FULL thyroid and vitamin testing to see EXACTLY what’s going on
Are you currently taking any vitamin supplements?
If so....what exactly
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
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 .
This gives highest TSH, lowest FT4 and most consistent results. (Patient to patient tip)
Private tests are available as NHS currently rarely tests Ft3 or thyroid antibodies or all relevant vitamins
List of private testing options
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins
medichecks.com/products/adv...
Thriva Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins By DIY fingerpick test
Thriva also offer just vitamin testing
Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins by DIY fingerprick test
bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...
If you can get GP to test vitamins and antibodies then cheapest option for just TSH, FT4 and FT3
£29 (via NHS private service ) and 10% off down to £26.10 if go on thyroid uk for code
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
Vitamin D NHS postal kit
If TPO or TG thyroid antibodies are high this is usually due to Hashimoto’s (commonly known in UK as autoimmune thyroid disease).
About 90% of all primary hypothyroidism in Uk is due to Hashimoto’s. Low vitamin levels are particularly common with Hashimoto’s. Gluten intolerance is often a hidden issue to.
Link about thyroid blood tests
thyroiduk.org/getting-a-dia...
Link about Hashimoto’s
thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...
List of hypothyroid symptoms
thyroiduk.org/if-you-are-un...
Before considering TTC thyroid levels need to be stable
verywellhealth.com/infertil...
Pregnancy guidelines
thyroiduk.org/having-a-baby-2/
gp-update.co.uk/files/docs/...
See pages 7&8
btf-thyroid.org/Handlers/Do...
Hi,
Thank you for all the info! That’s really helpful.
I’m just taking a ttc multi vitamin at the moment, it does contain vit D, folic acid and B12 but I did start these after my TSH results.
I have looked at the finger prick tests, but I don’t bleed very well so I’m not sure I would be able to do them correctly.
I did tell my GP I was TTC but she really wasn’t interessted until it had been a year, she said primary care would not treat for a thyroid problem and 4.4 even though she admitted a fertility clinic would.
I’m currently eliminating gluten from my diet so see it that does anything. I don’t think I have any hypothyroidism symptoms but it is obviously too hight although the NHS claim it is normal.
Private tests, you can pay extra for private blood draw at local to you private clinic....apparently most are still open
Getting full testing is first step...see if you have thyroid antibodies and low vitamins
See guidelines here
gp-update.co.uk/Latest-Upda...
Then See/contact your GP or different GP
You should really get coeliac blood test BEFORE cutting gluten
But if already gone gluten free don’t bother
Hi! Did you get anywhere with persuading your Dr to treat? My TSH levels came back recently at 4.16, and after TTC for 17 months I am willing to explore all possible avenues! 4.16 was listed as ‘normal’ on my results but after lots of research, it appears to be suboptimal when it comes to ttc.
Unfortunately not, I have had it checked again twice since this post, TSH levels are always been between 3.9 and 4.4, I have also had a fair few miscarriages since then so I am now on the waiting list for the recurrent miscarriage clinic. The most recent thyroid results were 3.9 when I was around 8 weeks pregnant, GP knew I was pregnant and marked the results as 'normal & no further action'
You can go back to your GP with the NICE guidelines and see if you can get anywhere that way, didn't work for me but some people have had success this way.....some GPs are better than others with thyroid health.
TTC and Thyroid concerns
T3 when ttc or in pregnancy
Ttc and hypothyroidism 
