Thyroid and fertility

[Bhavm]

Morning everyone

Happy Christmas

I joined just before Christmas. I have had thyroid for 8 years and still don't understand much about it. I recently got told my ts4 was raised therefor changed my tablets to alternate each day between 75/100mg

Has anyone's thyroid affected conceiving naturally and what can I do to help with conception. Tried for 10 years and not having much long.

Also I am gaining alot of weight is that normal and what can I do to lose it.

Any advice would be much appreciated

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Welcome to the forum

which brand of levothyroxine are you using

Same brand for 75mcg and 100mcg

Any vitamin supplements?

First thing is, do you have any actual blood test results?

if not will need to get hold of copies.

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.

Link re access

patients-association.org.uk...

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

In reality some GP surgeries still 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.

Bloods should be retested 6-8 weeks after each dose change or brand change in levothyroxine

For full Thyroid evaluation you need TSH, FT4 and FT3 tested

Also both TPO and TG thyroid antibodies tested at least once

Very important to test vitamin D, folate, ferritin and B12 at least once year minimum

About 90% of primary hypothyroidism is autoimmune thyroid disease, usually diagnosed by high thyroid antibodies

Autoimmune thyroid disease with goitre is Hashimoto’s

Autoimmune thyroid disease without goitre is Ord’s thyroiditis.

Both are autoimmune and generally called Hashimoto’s.

Low vitamin levels are extremely common when hypothyroid, especially with autoimmune thyroid disease

20% of autoimmune thyroid patients never have high thyroid antibodies and ultrasound scan of thyroid can get diagnosis

In U.K. medics hardly ever refer to autoimmune thyroid disease as Hashimoto’s (or Ord’s thyroiditis)

Recommended that all thyroid blood tests early morning, ideally just before 9am, only drink water between waking and test and last dose levothyroxine 24 hours before test

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 all relevant vitamins

Testing options and includes money off codes for private testing

thyroiduk.org/testing/

Medichecks Thyroid plus antibodies and vitamins

medichecks.com/products/adv...

Blue Horizon Thyroid Premium Gold includes antibodies, cortisol and vitamins

bluehorizonbloodtests.co.uk...

Only do private testing early Monday or Tuesday morning.

Link about thyroid blood tests

thyroiduk.org/testing/thyro...

Link about Hashimoto’s

thyroiduk.org/hypothyroid-b...

Symptoms of hypothyroidism

thyroiduk.org/signs-and-sym...

Tips on how to do DIY finger prick test

See detailed reply by SeasideSusie

healthunlocked.com/thyroidu...

Medichecks and BH also offer private blood draw at clinic near you, or private nurse to your own home…..for an extra fee

[SlowDragon Administrator]

Also I am gaining alot of weight is that normal and what can I do to lose it.

I recently got told my ts4 was raised therefor changed my tablets to alternate each day between 75/100mg

Was test done as recommended

weight gain suggests UNDER medicated…..or poor conversion of Ft4 to Ft3

Examples of private test results

Medichecks

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

Blue horizon

healthunlocked.com/search/p...

[Bhavm]

Thank you slowdragon for your help. Apologies for delay in replying, I have learning disabilities and responding back to messages i forget.

I am on leva thyroxine for 25mg by mercury pharma and 50mg by almus

As my bloods are being done at the women's hospital this is not shared with my GP and therefor blood results are not linked

I have no been reduced to 75mg. Recent t4 and tsh were in range for fertility so waiting to be advised.

I take multi vitamins (pre conception) CO enzymes 2, Broad Spectrum amino Acids tablets.

I'm just hoping I can start treatment to have alt least one child.