Thyroid issues

[Anonymous]

Talk to me about numbers that are considered "bad" for TTC. Exactly a year ago mine were 2.1. Last month when I had my yearly with labs the nurse said "your thyroid was a little off but still fine". I didn't think about at he time but now I'm going to call Monday and have the actual results mailed to me.

I'm wondering if that could be why we haven't been successful. I cannot find a clear guide on the internet.

[Anonymous]

Could be. I have Hashimoto's and my tsh was 2.8 as I was prepping for my third IVF cycle. I basically begged my RE to bump up my meds before we started that cycle. He did, and I ended up getting pregnant on my own that month instead of starting IVF. I don't tho k it was the only factor, but I sincerely believe it was part of it.

[Anonymous]

I agree that eating the actual TSH value will be helpful. If you are ttc, you can go to a endocrinologist to get your thyroid watched and brought to an ideal pregnancy level.

[Anonymous]

^not eating!! Seeing..

[Anonymous]

Yes you should get the number. "A little off but still fine" could be like a 4 or a 5 which is not great. I can't speak to how much it will affect your odds of conceiving, but once you do conceive your TSH will likely go higher and it will be harder to control if it's already high. That can put the pregnancy at risk. You want it below 2.5 while TTC. Also, when you do get a positive pregnancy test, get your TSH checked immediately.

[Anonymous]

TSH should be around 1. I had a crap load of symptoms like 2-3 years before my TSH was 6.5, and I was subsequently diagnosed with hypothyroidism. When I started to be symptomatic my TSH was like 3 and my Free T4 was at the very bottom of the range. I wasn’t having periods either. I didn’t start trying to have kids until I was already on medication, and my TSH was around 0.5. I would definitely pursue an endocrinologist for treatment. My endocrinologist used to joke he got more patients pregnant than RE’s XD

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:TSH should be around 1. I had a crap load of symptoms like 2-3 years before my TSH was 6.5, and I was subsequently diagnosed with hypothyroidism. When I started to be symptomatic my TSH was like 3 and my Free T4 was at the very bottom of the range. I wasn’t having periods either. I didn’t start trying to have kids until I was already on medication, and my TSH was around 0.5. I would definitely pursue an endocrinologist for treatment. My endocrinologist used to joke he got more patients pregnant than RE’s XD

Ha ha yeah funny story about REs (reproductive endocrinologists), mine knew I am hypothyroid and did not think to check my TSH when I got pregnant. I asked my OB to check it and it had shot up to over 5 at only 5 weeks pregnant from 2.3 several months before. I don't understand why someone who is specialized in getting women pregnant would have this blind spot about such a common condition that is known to affect both fertility and pregnancy.

Interesting about your TSH and free T4. My free T4 has always been normal even though my TSH got up to 10 before I was put on levothyroxine.

[Anonymous]

My RE and Endocrinologist both feel strongly about TSH being <2 when TTC and when pregnant. I've had 2 miscarriages, both during times of high TSH (7 and 13), 1 successful pregnancy (monitored TSH constantly and kept it <2) and am currently 11 weeks pregnant. My TSH went from 1 to 6 between TTC and 6 weeks pregnant this time around, but was back down to 2 at 8 weeks (I'd upped my meds immediately at 4 weeks) and are shooting for lower with another increased dose. It's exhausting to pay such close attention but I really think I need to in order to have a healthy pregnancy.

[Anonymous]

I agree with PP who has said to see an endocrinologist, not RE, to manage TSH when TTC and/or dealing with infertility, specifically to keep TSH below 2.5. I started with an RE last year who was only ~1 year out of fellowship and strictly adhered to a recently published Reproductive Medicine society practice opinion that said TSH doesn't need to be below 2.5 if there is no evidence of anti-TPO antibodies. I had my 2nd and 3rd failed natural conceptions while I was her patient and my TSH was between 2.6-3.0. I was really frustrated after the losses, did a LOT of research and reading, and came to the realization that there has been a lot of back-and-forth about the treat/don't treat TSH>2.5 stance between REs and endocrinologists in the last decade. I decided I had nothing to lose except my $40 co-pay to get a second opinion on my TSH from an endocrinologist. Two office visits, a thyroid ultrasound, and some bloodwork later, I found myself with a documented diagnosis for thyroid disease and a prescription for Synthroid...and we conceived for the 4th time about 2.5 months later, now in 2nd trimester. Could have been a coincidence (i.e., finally fertilized the 'right' egg-I'm AMA), but correcting my thyroid didn't hurt, especially since it should be <2.5 in first trimester anyway, and mine would very like not have been since it was higher than that every time it was measured over the previous year when I wasn't pregnant.

[Anonymous]

I have Hashimotos. My tsh was less than 2 and I was lucky enough to get pregnant with IVF first try. When I went in for my first ultrasound at 7 weeks, there was no heartbeat. Now Now I am wondering if it had something to do with my thyroid levels. I didn’t even think to check them so soon after getting pregnant.

[Anonymous]

I have thryoid issues too. I had no issue getting pregnant or keeping the baby (who is now 16 months) BUT I did see my endocrinologist every step of the way and he adjusted my synthroid levels each month while doing IVF and while pregnant. He said it is his standard practice to monitor closely his pregnant patients.

[Anonymous]

For both kids, My endo wanted tsh <1 when trying to conceive. I had weekly bloodwork during first tri, then moved to monthly testing for remainder of pregnancy. Synthroid was adjusted accordingly.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For both kids, My endo wanted tsh <1 when trying to conceive. I had weekly bloodwork during first tri, then moved to monthly testing for remainder of pregnancy. Synthroid was adjusted accordingly.

Yes to this!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes you should get the number. "A little off but still fine" could be like a 4 or a 5 which is not great. I can't speak to how much it will affect your odds of conceiving, but once you do conceive your TSH will likely go higher and it will be harder to control if it's already high. That can put the pregnancy at risk. You want it below 2.5 while TTC. Also, when you do get a positive pregnancy test, get your TSH checked immediately.

+1... my tsh was >4 last year when I had my consult with a new RE (relocated out of state). very surprised he wasn't too concerned about that level to treat. my previous RE was a saint he had me on synthroid to manage.... well thank goodness I sought acupuncture and was started on selenium supplements. 3 months on it and my tsh dropped just 2.6. for which I did get pregnant for the first time ever but later MC... my acupuncturist recommended a tsh level between 1-2. so that's my key. and will be getting bloodwork to manage once I get pregnant again