TTC with Thyroid Issues

Jen, Could that T4 be bound and not free? I know they measure it in a different way and the ranges look different. If that number was against our normal ranges you'd be dead!

Changing the subject very slightly here, because i know this is ttc with thyroid issues, but i thought to lighten it up in between we could talk about our plans more generally (re: the babies i mean!). I bought fabric to make my ring sling yesterday. I can't wait to get sewing, the fabric is a beautiful fine irish linen in a rich red. I think it's wide enough to make 2 slings too, though i only have one set of rings - i'll need to order another set from my dad, who handmade them for me :)

I also bought a bunch of fabric for an infinity dress i found a pattern for. I have a wedding coming up and want to try the pattern before i spend on expensive fabrics.

I have so many plans for knitting and such of baby things, gives me something to do/work towards while i'm waiting to ttc and ttcing...

Bx

hoobley--According to the nurse, they checked my TSH-0.58, and free T4 0.81. Found a few more sites:

Key Thyroid Function Test -- Values and Interpretation - Thyroid Disease According to this one, I'm normal. But what's confusing to me is the range of numbers! For instance, 0.4-6 was what USED to be considered normal.... I would think that me being 0.58 would put me at the higher end of what USED to be normal. But now they say normal is 0.3-3.0 So isn't that saying the same thing? That me being 0.58 is right in the middle of what's NOW considered normal? :help: I'm so lost!!! Am I just a retard for not getting this? Is it right in front of my face and I'm just not seeing it, or what? My DF thinks I'm crazy.... saying my numbers are normal according to the new standards... but if you just LOOK at what USED to be normal, then it makes my levels look too high--as least as far as TTC and sustaining a pg'cy go!! :( Why am I the only one seeing this????? :angry: :wall: Are any of you on the same page as me? If not... if you understand and can somehow explain it to me so that I can understand... I'd be eternally grateful!

Then I also read that "women do not normalize unless TSH is between 1-2... and I'm like, huh? :confused: And what are the levels it should be if you're TTC? I can't seem to find those numbers again... anyhow, have to run. Sorry for the vent, but many thanks because I know you all understand how frustrating it is! :grouphug:

Jen805: Your TSH seems fine! As per the research i've done and a recommendation from a reproductive endo in QLD, AU ideally between 1-2 is whats best to conceive, but 0.58 seems so darn close!
0.3 is the lowest you should go otherwise you may start being hyper and getting such associated symptoms.

How often are you going to have TSH tested?

You should ask as many questions as you want/need until you feel comfortable with your condition and whats going on. Don't apologise this is what this forum is for! :clap:

hey Jen, managed to quickly get onto the site at work. My GP here in Brisbane told me the normal levels should be between 0.3 - 5.0 whereas my doc in Cairns told me normal levels were between 0.4 - 4.00. however to have a successful pregnancy you must be below 2.00. He told me the other levels ie my T3 and T4 were not important. TSH was the one to watch and monitor. though both of mine are in the normal ranges.

Do you think you should maybe go see another doc? and get it tested again? 0.58 is in the normal ranges so there must be something else going on. My endocrinologist in Sydney said that if my pg fails again after my TSH levels are in the normal ranges to come and see him again for more blood tests, he mentioned he would do the NK Cells test on both of us. By the way I still haven't gotten my parenatale karotype results back yet from my GP and neither has my hubby so will be interesting to see those results. I'll let you know on our general thread we use.

My suggestion is just keep pressing them for answers.

Hey Jen - The TSH is in the nromal range, but if you don't feel well then keep asking. Go with what you reckon. You could probably be closer to 1-2 and feel better with a small dose adjustment. if that is what you want to do?

Thanks, girls, for your support and recommendations! :grouphug: This is going to sound like a terribly dumb question, but Sam, if I were to make a small dose adjustment, it would be a small decrease in my dose, correct? I know you're not a dr... etc... etc... so will f/u with my dr, as well... but you seem to know so much, so I'm just curious what you think. Yesterday I took only 1/2 my usual dose... don't seem to be as jittery, but don't really know if I notice a difference--of course, after only 1 day it's pretty impossible to notice a difference already! :rofl: Patience is not one of my virtues! Will keep you all posted on how things go. I have an appt. for a pap on Mar. 6th ( my b-day :rolleyes: ) so am planning on also speaking with him about it further then. Also want to talk to him about possible blocked tubes... found some interesting info in re: to potential causes of blocked tubes. One being history of ruptured appendix (which I had when pg with DS1), and also leftover tissue after a m/c without D&C... (out of 4 m/c's, I only had 1 D&C, and that was after my 1st m/c, in '95, which was a blighted ovum). Obviously, it wouldn't answer my thyroid problems, but it could answer my infertility probs!



mummawannabe--I usually have my thyroid checked about every 6 mo's.



Thanks again, everyone! And, Sam, thanks again for this thread! :hug:

Jen, on the whole your TSH looks ok, but it is definitely on the low end of the scale - and it's a WIDE scale.... You might want to try a very slight reduction in your doseage to try and drop your T4 (and increase TSH) a little to see if that makes a difference. ESpecially if you're having hyperthyroid symptoms - like shaking, trouble sleeping, palpatations.... It takes at least 2 weeks for a change in doseage to have a full effect on your blood levels - My specialist waits 6 weeks before testing to check the new levels. What dose are you on now? Just tread very lightly if you change doseages. And get a follow-up test around a month later.
For eg, I'm on 100mcg. My T4 was a little high, so I tried skipping one pill a week - lowering my weekly dose from 700mcg to 600mcg. My T4 dropped a fair bit so I ended up going back to 100mcg per day cause it was a bit of a hassle. I think I'm quite sensitive to it as I have a very low dose (for total replacement) and small changes in dose have a big effect.

Hope the sling goes well Hoobly - I was thinking of buying one for the next baby. Never occurred to me to make one. I spose they're pretty simple things, though. Where do you get the ring?

Hey everyone,
Got my D20 Prog and TSH results back -

TSH 1.3!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:dance:
Progesterone: 94.5 :dance:

I am over the moon with both results - especially the TSH. This is the first time i have managed a result within the 1-2 window. Now just got to keep it there....am expecting it to get lower before it will come up a little and stablise, but time will tell.

Anyone know how to read into the Progesterone reading? Last time i was pregnant my D21 progesterone was 101 - but this ended in miscarriage 2 weeks later....I've heard that high progesterone can indicate a future miscarriage or multiple pregnancy. (Am so wanting to do a preg test early but going to try and make myself wait until day 28 like i normally do.)

MWB - well done for gettting TSh in range, yeahhh. I was wrapt when got mine to .9 and feel great generally. As someone was saying maybe you, it will probably fluctuate a bit around that number.

Jen - "if I were to make a small dose adjustment, it would be a small decrease in my dose, correct?" - yes

If you are buzzing then probably you are taking slightly too much thyroxine. a level of .58 would explain that. Most of the recommendations we hear for TTC have been to be between 1-2, and my endo says around 1.

What Marcellus says is quite right. half a tablet difference per day is probably too much of a drop (eg if your are taking 100mg, then dropping to 50mg a day would be too big a change, you would want to try a 10-20% change first) As she explained that could be achieve by missing one tablet a week, or half a tablet 2 times a week.

Thyroxine has a half life of a week so any changes do take a week or 2 to feel. Let doc know you are buzzing and see what suggests.

mummawannabe--Congrats on your results! :clap:



Sam--Feeling a lot better since I've only been taking 1/2 dose, but I hear what you're saying that it could end up being too big a change. So yesterday and today I went back to full pill, think I'll try the 1/2 dose twice a week to see how that goes. My cycle seems a bit off this month... so far no coverline at 16DPO, and I always O on CD12... do you think this could have something to do with my thyroid?

Thanks so much to all of you for your advice and concern! :grouphug:

Hey girls, just popping in to say that at my last BT my T4 was 12, up from 9 (PathWest range is 10 - 25) and my TSH is 3.1, down from 5.9 (PathWest range is 0.40 - 4.00) so my endo is very happy with that and I don't have to go on thyroxine! I do have a repeat BT in 6 weeks but it looks like the postpartum thyroiditis sorted itself out of its own accord.

She said I do have positive antibodies and will need a once a year BT in case I turn hypo. Fairly likely as my Mum has Hashi's.

Good news Shoegal! How are you feeling - alright at those levels? Hope it stays away!

Jen - From my personal experience being hyper tends to throw out cycles (and stops ovulation) more than hypo, so a small decrease in your meds might help. Good luck with your adjustments (and second Sam's suggestion that you let doc know about buzzing..)

MWB - congrats and well done! Sorry, don't know about prog levels. I find that TSH does tend to lag changes in T4 a bit, so may well drop a little more before levelling out.

Thanks marcellus! Feeling great actually, am weighing less than when I fell pregnant and walking lots. We've actually decided to postpone TTC#2 for now, netball season starts soon and we're about to move into our new house. I feel like I want to enjoy my life 'right now' IYKWIM??

Hey Shoegal - that is great! excellent work. If you do end up with it, is isn't so bad, just a little pill and you get on with life!

Jen - good thinking. then after 4-5 weeks get a blood test and see what level you are at. then if you feel good you can say to doc, I feel good when am at TSH = 1 for example and aim to medicate to there. docs are no good with how you feel, generally, but they have scientific minds usually and can relate to trying to achieve a certain testable level.

Hi Everyone, I just found this thread - thankyou so much for starting it, what great and informative reading.

I have had a thyroid problem since I was 15 (so about 28 years), it was first overactive, so after they couldn't control it with medication I had 80% of both sides removed when I was 17. It was OK for a couple of years, but at approx. 21, it become overactive again, so I had radiation treatment and they gave me too much and totally destroyed it. So I am now basically underactive as I don't have any thyroid activity at all. In 2005 before I conceived our DD, I was on thryoxine - 200mcgms, our FS dropped the dosage to 150 and we conceived on our first IUI attempt. We are now struggling to conceive #2 and my latest blood test just a couple of weeks ago revealed by TSH level was at 7.5 , so this is obviously not helping us to conceive. MY GP has increased my dosage to 175mcgms, so fingers crossed that my TSH level will drop eventually. Have another blood test mid March.

Good luck everyone and I hope you don't mind me joining in :doh:

Hey everyone,

Saw a lovely endo in Brisbane today - he was worth the travel. :p
He started to read the referral from my Gyno/Obs (partly out aloud) and it was so condesending towards me and my opinion that he stopped and said he would just summerise! God my Dr's an ass!

Anyway the endo confirmed what we all know that TSH 1-2 is necessary for someone trying to conceive and that he would be happy with me in the range of 0.2-2.0. He discussed need to raise level once pregnant as well. :thumbsup:

I asked about my antibodies to which he confirmed there is no way of lowering these and its is not these that may contribute to miscarriage etc (as these antibodies soley attack the thryroid only) but something else in the immune system perhaps which is found in ppl with thyroid antibodies.

He said that it normally takes a while for ppl with Hasimoto's to conceive but that it will happen.........easy for him to say....

After ordering more bloods tests for me he stopped and went through the letter that he would be forwarding to my lil team of Dr's - GP and Gyno/Obs - very thorough and professional - no one will be able to argue with it - and if they want to - they can take it up with him!

Moral of my day: Always get a professional opinion from someone actually qualified in your specific problem - not just somewhat related to it.

Ok im trying to keep this thread going.....don't want it to die off just yet.....

Have any fellow Hashimoto sufferers been tested for celiac desease and or being anemic?
Is there a common link there?

Hi MWB - yes and yes
Had the Gene test for Coeliacs, no gene so no Coeliacs, it is a blood test. Don't bother with the normal blodd test if you don't eat wheat as it won't show anything.
Am still v sensitive to wheat and there is such and thing as Non-coeliacs Gluten Seistive NCGS (I think) so I hardly eat any wheat.
Yes have v low iron and take tablets every now and then to get it up. The iron that is. have had best success with 100mg iron per day for 2 months. A friend's GP said that irritation to gut caused by sensitivity to wheat can prevent iron being absorbed properly.
so there you go!

ahhh, i think that's what my DH has (the non-coeliac wheat thing)

I've been feeling very tired the last few days. Think I'll go see doc to get another blood test. Hope it's not my iron levels again - just got them sorted out.

MWB - glad to hear about your good doc visit.

Thanks S&P and Marcellus. Got my bloods back and negative to both celiac and anemia which is good. My TSH was 0.5 which endo was happy with and advised to stay on current doesage. Loved it how the endo was the one that actually called back with the results as well, it wasn't left to the receptionist to just read out the figures.
Endo wants my prolactin level tested again as he finally got my bloods from the last 12mths and could see a raised level when i was tested in March 08. He advised that if the levels are raised again i will need a scan of the pitutary gland.......(so im off to google all that....urgh)

Hope everyones going ok with there TTC journey.......my DH and i are starting AIH/IUI procedures this week........lil bit scary

Hi guys,

MummaW - what is AIH/IUI? I keep seeing it, but not sure.
great you have found an endo you like!! Esp after the arrogant GP. What a dumb bum.

sam

Hi Everyone,

My next blood test is in two weeks time, but I can tell that my increased dosage of thyroxine is definately working - I am not nearly as tired and am not falling asleep (whilst sitting upright) watching TV. He he that's a bonus in itself, coz at least not to tired to do the old BD.... Will let you know what my TSH level comes back at.

Samandpoppy - I know that you asked MummaW, but hope don't mind be answering, AIH/IUI is insemination (artificial insemination husband and inter-uterine insemination). That's how our DD was conceived...

MummaW - good luck with everything and the starting of the IUI procedure - it will all go really well. Thinking of you.

My sister has Coeliacs and also has an underactive thryoid, but let me tell you she has no problems with conceiving - 5 children over 23 years (I think).... 18 when she had her first and then 41 with the last.....

Big hello to everyone else, hope you are all well.

Hi JodieC65 - thanks for that I thought it might be. Jealous of your sister!! Wow 5 kids, was hoping that the underactive thyroid might be the problem, rather than age, or something unknown!
Great that you are feeling better, it really is a revelation when you get the dose just right, feel like self again. I see you are a bit of a cradle snatcher! yeah you, good one. My DH is from Perth but is older than me and a bit of grumpy old bloke on occasion.

Hi everyone, sorry I've been guilty of being a big, fat lurker lately! :redface: Just wanted to say :hello: will try to do better at keeping in touch! :grouphug:

Sorry i haven't checked in with my fellow thyroid challenged buddies for a lil while - been consumed with the dreaded TTW and over analysing every little pain or niggle or sign that is probably not even a sign........you all know how it is!!!
S&P: So yeah i had AIH/IUI (artificial insemination with husband sperm). I think it was more IUI as i think AIH can cover insemination into various depths of the female - not necessarily all the way into the uterus. Someone correct me if im wrong.
It was really all fine - just had cramps all day after the insemination and had to come home from work. Can easily see myself doing it another couple of times before the dreaded IVF.

Hi Everyone, hope you are all doing OK today and had a lovely weekend.

Samandpoppy - I too am jealous of my sister, man I don't know how she does it and I always like to blame the whole having troubles TTC on my thryoid, rather than my age, it is much easier :lol: I sure am a cradle snatcher and loving it :redface: But in our relationship I am the grumpy one.

Mummawannabe - I know what you mean about the IUI/AIH, I could do that again no problems at all (have done 5 IUI cycles in total), it is a lot less involved than an IVF cycle. When is your TWW wait finished? Wishing you lots of luck.

A big hello to everyone else, Jen805, marcellus and anyone else lurking.

Just popped in to say hi everyone - my thyroid is behaving atm....so no complaining from me

JodieC65: TWW is over.....day 4 of next IUI now...a lot less nervous about it this time round

Goodluck Mummawannabe, have my fingers crossed for you for this IUI Cycle and it is great when the old thyroid is actually behaving.

Hope everyone else is doing well - have a great day guys.

Hope this is the one for you MWB.
Hi everyone else

HI everyone!

Fingers crossed for you this month mwb :)

I am still not ttc, but a few steps closer. I'm taking my folic acid every day now (along with a whole lot of oter stuff - multivitamin, supplemental calcium and vit D, EPO...and my thyroxine of course, not at the same time though!) and just bought a OPK to check i'm still on top of my signs (i used NFP for 2.5 years and used to be able to tell within 3 or 4 hours of when i O'd) because i still O wth the Mirena anyway.

I'm thinking i'll have it taken out in June. After that we'll see when we feel ready to ttc (i am ready NOW! lol) and use NFP in the meantime.

The thyroid is feeling much better sice i had my dose increased (6 weeks on the higher dose now) and my legs are less dead when running etc. Roll on June!

Bx

Hi I am having my thyroid function tested later this week as I suspect it may be underactive.

Just wondering if any of you "underactive" ladies had trouble getting your doctor to prescribe you thyroxine? I heard from a friend that doctors will not treat if it's underactive unless the number is over 5.

Hi SallyJ,

This is a very interesting question and one that poses lots of problems and probably different interpretations from our Doctors. From what I have been reading the normal range for TSH is 0.5 to 5.0. So levels below 0.5 are considered possible evidence of hyperthyroidism (overactive), and levels above 5.0 would be considered possible evidence of hypothyroidism (underactive). Also some professionals and endocrinologists believe that the range should be narrowed significantly, to 0.3 to 3.0 and I am not sure if this is actually being put into practice yet and if it is what Doctors follow this range.
When your Doctor arranges the BT form, make sure that your T3 and T4 plus your free
T3 and free T4 levels get checked also along with antibodies. Perhaps you could ask your Doctor what is the normal range at the lab where your test results were/are processed and also what normal range does he/she follow in diagnosing and managing thyroid disease?

HTH Sally

Hope you are well and everyone else also.

Thanks so much to JodieC65, Marcellus, and Hoobley.

Sally, my GP was so good at listening to my concerns about my thyroid she called an endo then and there at our consult to get some answers, whereas my sister had to fight with her GP to get her tested a 2nd time after her first result TSH result was 4.9.
We have both now been referred to and seen a endo in Brisbane - hes great!

Has anyone with Hashi's or Hypo had elevated prolactin levels? Its meant to be under 500, and about 12mths ago i had an elevated reading and it was tested for another couple of mths and each reading was still elevated and my recent trip to the endo picked up on this and wants me tested again. He says that if it is still elevated i will need and MIR scan of my pitutary gland. Anyone with similar readings at all?

Hey to my fellow thyroid challenged buddies that ive missed!!

Hi

I'm wondering if you could give me some guidance. I had thyroid issues 12 years ago - I can't even remember if it was over or under active. It normalized after a year of medication - the dr slowly weaned me off and the tested me weekly, then monthly, then every other month etc. I've tested normal ever since....until now. I had a routine blood test 12 days ago and found out today that the results are "off ". Although I spoke to my endocrinologist for 30 seconds in advance of seeing her tomorrow, she said that one of my numbers was the high range of normal and for pregnancy she wants it lower, and thus will be putting me on thyroxine. I'll get all the details from her tomorrow (I think she said something about a 4. something) but am wondering what I should ask about and what I should expect. Of course, this has acted up just when I found out that we had success with an IVF cycle - I can't believe that I have another thing to worry about.

I've just read some of the earlier posts and am panicking that I could actually lose this baby because of my levels. Do you think it matters this early on if I start medication tomorrow?

Thank you.

Bulie, hi.
I guess the levels that are off are TSH (since you say 4.something...), indicating you are somewhat underactive (ie, high TSH and low T4 (thyroid hormone)) - obviously you'd better confirm this with your doctor
When I did IVF nobody specifically told me that the hormones etc would mean that I required a higher dose of thyroxine to increase my T4 (becuase of the higher estrogen levels - I should have realised but oh well). Anyway, I went to my endocrinologist at about 5.5 weeks and my TSH was about 35 - which is extremely high. Now, untreated hypothyroidism in pregnancy can affect fetal development, but I am happy to report that my DS seems perfectly normal so far....
Hyperthyroidism - ie, hormone levels too high - is more of an issue as far as the risk of miscarriage is concerned.
IF it is TSH and IF it is 4.something then it doesn't sound too dire. Hope that is the case and a small adjustment will fix things.
All the best with your pregnancy

Buliej: I've been advised that my Oroxine will need to be increased by 25 % to cover having enough for a growing fetus as that baby doesn't make its own until 12weeks.
The earlier in the pregnancy they get your levels between .2-2 the better for you and your bub which is why a lot of us are trying to get our levels in that range now before we fall pregnant and then its just a simple increase once we find out we're pregnant.

Thanks ladies - I'm just worried that it's too late - especially since my GP was sitting on these results for 10 days. I'll post more after I meet with my endo. I haven't even talked to my GP yet - I am going to tell her off - she knows I'm trying, and to sit on this I think is just awful. I won't be going back to her either.

Hi BulieJ, It does sound like it is just your TSH level and if that is at 4. something, then this is just a little fix and definately not too late to fix at all (perhaps this is why your GP sat on the results for 10 days as it is only slightly in the higher range). Also make sure you ask your GP (or OB) how often they are going to test your levels throughout the pregnancy. This will also help put your mind at ease.

When I first went to FS, he tested my thryoid (as I was already on thryoxine), he actually then decreased my medication, saying that if we could get my TSH levels lower to around 2 then this would help me get pregnant. My dosage was then increased once I was pregnant. My GP/OB then checked my levels about every 4 to 6 weeks in the first trimester. As MWB says this is so your baby gets enough thyroxine until they develop their own thryoid at about 12 weeks.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Please let us know how you get on today Bulie. It really don't think you should panic - it's not too late at all! I do totally understand your anxiety though and hope you can get some reassurance today. The most likely reason your GP sat on the results is becuase they weren't too bad. Also different doctors will have different ideas about what levels are appropriate. When I was pg my endo, gp and ob all had different ideas.... it's confusing and unhelpful!

Thanks everyone. Well, my TSH level was 2.8 (not 4 point whatever). My Endo put me on 75mcg of thyroxine, which I will start taking tomorrow. She did tell me that she looks for a max of TSH of 2.5 so that is what she will aim for. The plan is to get retested in 3 weeks, and then approx every 2-3 months. Please let me know if you have any comments/concerns about this plan (gee - this sounds like a work email).

The one thing that concerns me is that having antibodies as one does with a abnormal thyroid, is that they can indicate that one may have other antibody issues - some of which may result in your body attacking the baby. I guess the chances of this are pretty slim - of course, I'd like them to be 0%.