First time posting and hoping someone can give me some advice on my thyroid results and if I should be doing anything different in terms of fertility.
Been trying to conceieve for a few years. No pregnancy and two failed rounds of IVF with at highest 23 eggs retrieved but no blastocysts.
My TSH levels were done prior to IVF and were at 3.84.
I've now had a full thyroid test from medi checks and TSH is now 3.09, free T3 is 5.41 and free thyroxine 17.5 (all in normal range)
My thyroid peroxidase antibodies were high at 198.
I do display symptoms of hypothyroidism - hair is thinning, periods are heavy, have gained weight recently and increasingly find it hard to lose weight, I am extremely fatigued and just don't feel myself at all. I have auto immune conditions such as psoriasis.
I have read a lot of things about TSH levels needing to be lower when trying to conceive. Closer to 1 and definitely under 2.5.
My fertility doctor said all my results are within range and to not listen to anyone who suggests I need medicating. That I 'have enough going on'...
My GP sought advice from an endocrinologist who said the same. They both said that it's only people who are already being treated for hypothyroidism that need to get their levels to below 2.5 when trying for a baby.
On the antibodies they said it just means I should check my thyroid more often than others.
Does this sound right or is it worth further investigating. I wasn't offered any advice on managing my symptoms or what it could be if not thyroid related.
Thanks!
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JustJUK
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Yeah I take a pre natal amongst lots of other things and have done for about 2 years now.
I am in the process of getting vitamin D tested (again privately as my GP/fertility clinic don't request these) The others you mentioned haven't been done since 2018...
Coeliac hasn't been tested. I have already gone gluten free though as with a nutrienist who recommended this. Still worth getting tested?
I'm just unsure on what to do next if anything. I've going for a possibly final round of IVF and want to be in the best shape possible. And also just want to feel better 😞
Hi.. from my understanding the presence of antibodies means Hashimotos - we have this in our family . Agree with replies above - also highly recommend you read up on isabella wentz - her book has been a life saver. Also there’s a difference between results ‘within range ‘ and being ‘optimal.’ Endos are not good in our experience of dealing with the autoimmune component of Hashimotos . You can feel much better .. good luck xx
So I have thyroid antibodies, hashimotos and I have been TTC for around 15 months. I already have a child who I conceived first time trying pre thyroid problems. I’ve had 3 miscarriages since. The plan for me is to take prednisolone next pregnancy because I have antibodies. I am really surprised that your fertility doctor isn’t a little bit concerned. I have got my recommendation through the miscarriage clinic so it’s not a private fertility doctor. Honestly why don’t you get a second opinion else where. If they say the same them perhaps it’s the guidelines but I would be wanting to be sure. Where are you based? There’s a great podcast I would recommend listening to.
I am sorry to hear about your miscarriages. I am currently on the wait list for IVF treatment and have to lose weight to meet funding requirements and honestly the call about my thyroid results was like I was wasting her time. Ended the call with ‘you still have weight to lose so focus on that’.
I will look into private options I am based in north east of England but have travelled far and wide for my fertility investigations. I just want to make sure no stone unturned. And if I do get pregnant, that I am in the hands of someone who will take the antibodies stuff seriously.
Thanks I’ll have a listen to that podcast and have made a note of what you’ve been recommended for your next pregnancy. Best of luck x
Hi , U definitely need thyroxine and almost 6 weeks of wait before ur final round of ivf , Tsh around 1 or less + u need , may be injectable iron with b12 , vit d and folate.
Thank you. I really feel like this could make a difference for us but so far two doctors not listening. I'm moving clinics and have asked them if they can prescribe me thyroxine. At 39 years old I don't have time to be messing around especially if it will be 6 weeks or so before I see a difference. My TSH was at 3.82 before my two failed ivf rounds and I'm just mad that nothing was done then (2 years and 20k ago). Thanks for the response, I'll keep trying!
Unfortunately most everyone on this Forum is well aware of the cretins who think that our thyroid's are not important and should be forgotten apart from Levo!
But our thyroid hormones make just about everything in our body go around. We would be sunk without it! So when things go wrong we know about it, whether hypo or hyper - thyroid.
And the other cretin who seemed to be bullying you about weight loss.........well, I have been there and had that directed at me over again. Unfortunately they don't know and don't care as long as they get paid. They trained years ago and aren't even taught too much in Med schools today about thyroid.
Do your best to eat well, you will find it very hard - as in between a rock and a hard place - to lose weight. I wish I could tell you differently. Izabella Wentz in her book Hashimoto's Food Pharmacy majors on nutrition, she gives you the what to eat and what to leave out. There are food plans and how to tailor them to your own tastes!
At least Izabella has been through it, not many Medics have gone through Hashi's or hypo or hyper thyroid.
Our medics generally haven't a clue what hypothyroid and/or Hashi's patients go through and do they care?
I don't think they actually know the first thing about thyroid.
My daughter learned more about hypothyroid being taught hairdressing than my now previous GP. He told me that if I was taking T3 thyroid hormone, then I was taking an illegal drug!
I did advise him to please ring the local constabulary!
This is all new to me, but I've seen very quickly that some don't seem to have a clue. I know my body and something has been off and gradually getting worse for some time. I've cleaned up my diet, I've given up alcohol and caffeine, I don't smoke, exercise regularly, but I have gained weight, I'm so tired and sluggish, my hair, nails, everything is damaged, I have reoccurring skin issues.
What I was trying to explain is what I've read here that my TSH may fall within range, but it might not be right for me. And I'm hearing from others that it also might not be optimal for fertility. But my own fertility doctor says it's fine and to stop exploring other things and just lose weight.
Anyway I'm rambling cos I'm mad ha. Thanks for the advice. I've recently gone gluten free (just made some brownies with sweet potato...who knew!) It's early days but I feel less bloated already. I have a nutritionist and ill ask her about dairy. She suggested it was good for fertility but then that was before my thyroid results. I don't have a lot of dairy anyway switched to almond milk etc a while back. I'll try and give up cheese ha.
Can I ask, have you been diagnosed and managed to get medical support? I just don't know if I can keep pushing my GP etc, go somewhere else, or just try and manage this through lifestyle changes?
I’m no expert but simple common sense and life experience tells me your body needs optimal thyroid hormone replacement before it will be able to support a pregnancy. It’s shocking you’ve been told otherwise, particularly at such a pivotal time in your fertility. They want you to wait until your TSH goes above 10, that could take years and rob you of your last chance to conceive. With your TSH where it is and positive TPO antibodies and numerous symptoms it’s obvious you will eventually need thyroid hormone replacement. However until your TSH is out of range, the NICE guidelines do not recommend levothyroxine. In your position I’d either go to a private endocrinologist or obtain my own levothyroxine and self medicate. I despise doctors.
Thanks for replying. The NHS fertility centre I was with were useless and just made me feel like I was wasting their time. They claim to be experts in their field. When I contacted my new clinic and explained without hesitation they said they would want my TSH below 2.5 and will prescribe me thyroxine. Proof if you think something isn't right you have to advocate for your own health. Which is just so wrong.
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