Pernicious Anaemia & Thyroid disorders - TTC

[Zofar]

Hi Everyone,

I have both Pernicious Anemia & a thyroid disorder and am trying to conceive. Next month will be my first cycle of IVF.

Would love to hear of any success stories of others who may have these lovely little auto immune diseases.

K

[Beckybug]

Hi there Zofar.

I have both the same problems as you, but we discovered after lots of blood tests that my anemia was caused by a vitamin b12 deficiency. I had lots of iron infusions and told that it was pernicious anemia. I can't absorb b12, and it is needed to absorb iron. Has your doctor checked your b12 levels?

We will be TTC naturally hopefully in September. Are you having IVF for another underlying problem?

[SamIam]

Hi Zofar

I have been told by my naturopath that I have hypothyroidism. My doctor says I am normal.

My naturopath says I am having trouble conceiving (Over 2 years now) and I have had a miscarriage because of my thyroid. My doctor says it is because I am 40.

My naturopath says you need your thyroid level (TSH) to be between 1 to 2 to fall pregnant and sustain a pregnancy. My doctor says rubbish.

Needless to say I have had countless blood tests to test my TSH levels and have not suceeded in getting it down below 2. I have also not succeeded in falling pregnant and sustaining a pregnancy.

So sorry, it is not a success story for you. Hope I haven't made you as confused as I am

[Zofar]

Hi Ladies,

Thanks for the responses!

Beckybug, Yep I get my B12 levels tested every couple of months. I also get B12 shots every couple of months too. When I was diagnosed my levels were less than 45 (They should be at least 250) & I was feeling fine. Doctors find this very fascinating. We have been trying to conceive naturally for 18 months with no success. Due to my age (I'm 36), we are going to IVF in the hope that something we will have success. The Specialists & GP's are perplexed as to why I am not getting pregnant. They cant pinpoint it to my thyroid or PA, so here is hoping that IVF is successful. It is really good that you are ready to try at 22. I think you will have a much better chance of success which is really exciting for you.

Needinghelp, I understand your confusion. What are your levels? My FS mentioned that my TSH levels were 5.5 and that was ok. I have since got them down to 0.8 as recommended by my GP. I would fully recommend getting a referal to an endocrinologist. Your doctor may be right & your levels may be fine (although from what I have read, under 2 is better), but the endo is a specialist & will be able to let you know for sure.

One thing I have learnt through this process is that if something is worrying me, find a way to put your mind at ease. We all know stress doesnt help in any way. I've been to an immunologist also to rule out anymore autoimmune diseases & now feel as comfortable as I can going in to my first IVF cycle.

[Beckybug]

Hi Ladies,

Thanks for the responses!

Beckybug, Yep I get my B12 levels tested every couple of months. I also get B12 shots every couple of months too. When I was diagnosed my levels were less than 45 (They should be at least 250) & I was feeling fine. Doctors find this very fascinating. We have been trying to conceive naturally for 18 months with no success. Due to my age (I'm 36), we are going to IVF in the hope that something we will have success. The Specialists & GP's are perplexed as to why I am not getting pregnant. They cant pinpoint it to my thyroid or PA, so here is hoping that IVF is successful. It is really good that you are ready to try at 22. I think you will have a much better chance of success which is really exciting for you.

I my doctor wasn't that surprised at my levels. They were about 80. Mind you I had to go to 4 different doctors before my current one figured it out. I had even gone to a blood specialist, he was just rude and couldn't be bothered doing anything! :mad: I have to have b12 injections every month, but I do them myself at home. I'm not driving a 60km round trip for a 30 second procedure!

I will have to see how the TTC goes, I have cystic ovary's, not PCOS, something else. I can't think of its name. :confused: My Mum had no trouble conceiving me, but after that it was almost impossible. She had all but given up when I was 9. But by a drunken miracle she conceived my sister!

My Aunt has had trouble conceiving like you for no apparent reason. They have tried naturally for years and only 1 attempt out of 5 for IVF worked. But this probably wont be you. Good luck with the IVF, hope it brings that :bfp:!

[aisling]

Hey, I have an underactive thyroid which I just found out about a month ago. I started taking thyroxine since. My TSH was 10 (!!) and my progesterone is low. I got pregnant and lost it a couple of days ago. :(

Before I lost it, as soon as I found out I was pg I went to the doctor for a thyroid test even though I was only meant to go back in late Aug/early Sept (as it takes a few months to kick in properly). I got my results - too late as I was already m/c... but they are 3.4 now. Progesterone still low. But the thyroid and oestrogen/progesterone are connected... so am hoping by helping one I will help the other.

I have read a book by Dr Sandra Cabot about thyroid issues and it is really good. It involves a gluten and dairy free diet (you can get calcium from other sources). I am going to go hardcore on that as well as the thyroxine and try to get as healthy as I can and not ttc for a couple of months (which is going to kill me but I would rather not go through another m/c if I can do anything to help). I eat quite a lot and have had some probs with food in the past (not being able to stop eating junk etc) but I find that when I do the gluten/dairy free thing, I don't crave rubbish.

Anyway I'll give it a go and see if it helps...

[Beckybug]

I've never heard of a diet free from gluten and dairy. I haven't given up anything at all since I was diagnosed last October. My last TSH was 2.01.

Hope it works for you and :hugs: for your loss.