Underactive Thyroid / Hypothyroidism

[MagicMud]

I have recently been diagnosed with Hypothyroidism and would really like to talk to other people who are TTC with thyroid problems.

I have been actively TTC for nearly 12 months and have never been pregnant at all in my life, no whoopsies, no M/C's. And I'm really beginning to wonder if my body even knows how to get pregnant!

My FN sent out a script for thyroxine last week, and have begun my dose on 50mcg per day. I was not told about any follow up BTs and not informed of what I should do from here on. I have read that regular monitoring should be done to keep an eye on my TSH levels to ensure they are in the right ranges.

I have also read/been told differing things about how fast thyroxine will work. Some say it starts working straight away, others say it can take a few months for TSH levels to become normal.

I've also read about some frightening side effects of hypothyroidism, such as higher rates of M/C, fetal retardation, and intellectual impairments.

Anyone who would like to share their experience, or information about hypothyroidism would be greatly appreciated. This is all still very new for me, and I don't feel very well informed.

Some questions:
I believe I have only been tested for TSH, should I be requesting further tests for T3 and T4? (Are those tests critical, and can they reveal more about this condition?)

Does anyone know how stable your TSH is on thyroxine... is it hard to find the right dose, and will it change over time?

How exactly does Hypothyroidism interfere with fertility? What specifically does it interfere with?

[BlueLips]

Hi MagicMud

i'm not TTC but will do my best to answer your questions. I am seeing an Endocrinologist for my PCOS.

I have an autoimmune disorder Hashimotos Thyroiditis where your body produces antiboides against your thyroid and destroys it. So i have hypothyroidisim.

I've only seen the Endocrinologist once and the first thing she did was start me on Thyroxine. (75mcg) she wouldn't even look at my ovaries or my PCOS untill i've fixed my thyroid.
She said give the Thyroxine 4 months to work and then we will review your ovaries / PCOS.

My understanding is that Thyroxine is the mother hormone. It keeps the balance between your other hormones. So when your thryoid is out of whack so then are your other hormones. Often impairing ovulation for example.

When your thyroxine levels are too low you often get too frequent periods. ( my problem short cycles) hyperthyroidism causes really long cycles.

I felt my energy levels improves slightly within the first month also i lost maybe 1 kg. (i'm not overweight 51-53kg).

I found that since starting it i have been spotting a lot between periods so believe my dose needs altering. I will review this with my Endo next month.

The dose of thyroxine needs to me modulated so you should have blood tests every 3 months - 6 months untill your reach your ideal dose.
Yes your TSH, T3 and T4 and Thyroxine level should all be tested. Not just one.
In my experience GP's have poor knowledge and understanding of thyroid problems. Push to see a specialist if you are concerned as my GP wanted to leave me another 6 months and then review it.
Endocrinologist saw my levels and was so shocked at how low they were an started me on medication straight away.

Goodluck on your TTC journey.

My mum has PCOS and Hashimotos Hypothyroidism has 6 kids, 1 miscarriage, fell pregnant on clomid fine, is not overweight and wasn't diagnosed till pregnancy 4.

All her children 1-4 are absolutely unnaffected from the pregnancy. As it is generally a slow decline into hypothyroidism.

Your dose of thyroxine needs to increase in pregnancy

[MummaFug]

I will be watching this thread as my DD (19mths) was born with Congenital Hypothyroidism. She is on thyroxine and I havent really been able to get many answers about long term use and what to expect in years to come.
I was tested when she was diagnosed and have no symptoms of thyroid problems.

Good Luck with TTC and hope you get the answers you are looking for.

[Dasher10]

Thanks so much Magic for the tread and BlueLips for your answers!
I like magic have just been diagnosed with underactive thyroid and am on the same dose medication. I am 3 days into the meds today and woke up feeling awake today for the first time in ages!

However I have just got off the phone from the Dr and I have come back positive for the antibodies. She has suggested I got to a specialist (have an app in 2 weeks). I am unsure what all this means for me and our TTC journey??? Feeling very low atm :no: Do you think I should call my FS ( I have PCOS too)and see what he says???

Thanks again for the thread magic not meaning to hyjack just want the same answers you do! Your the best chic!

:babydust2: and :goodvibes: to everyone!

[MagicMud]

Dash - You are more than welcome to 'hijack' this thread! :laughing: The more information/questions the better, in my opinion!
I'm so sorry you are feeling low, discovering problems is always a hard thing to deal with. :hugs:

Mummafug - Very sorry to hear about DD and her condition. I hope this thread might help with gathering information for you.

Bluelips - Thank you so much for all of the information. You certainly sound like a wealth of information!

For me, I don't have PCOS (or at least it's highly unlikely as my AMH is just below normal). I'm fairly certain the FN told me that I am negative for antibodies.
I have very regular cycles (28-30 days), but very light AF (which concerns me) Is a light AF common with hypothyroidism???
I also appear to be ovulating every month - Meaning that I get pos OPK, and have a thermal shift with my temps, but have only had one BT confirm that I have in fact ovulated (according to my FS, BT is the only definite way to confirm O).

I'm just wondering if hypothyroidism is the reason why I am not falling pregnant, as I have regular cycles and seem to ovulate. Or if there are more problems that I haven't discovered yet. Very frustrating!

[rynosmum]

Hi Ladies,

I also have hypothyroidism - mine developed postpartum, after the birth of my son. Many postpartum thyroid issues resolve themselves but mine has stayed on - coming up to 6 years now.

I was first diagnosed when I was quite ill with pneumonia. My son was about 5 months old and my TSH was a whopping 91. I started on 50mcg thyroxine but after the birth of my daughter, I went out of whack again (foggy brain, low immunity so always fluey etc, weight gain, exhaustion etc) so now I am up on 100mcg.

You really need to find someone who knows about the thyroid. I was extremely lucky that the GP I went to when I was first ill, just happened to be someone who had a real interest in thyroid disorders and so ensures that it is always thoroughly addressed. If not, I would have also tried to get a referral to an endocrinologist as well. When I was first diagnosed, I was also sent for an ultrasound of the thyroid to ensure it didn't have any unwelcome growths etc.

I have miscarried 3 babies but one was before I was diagnosed so I'm not entirely sure that there is a link to the thyroid. When your TSH is stable (and it will be), then you are no different to anyone else. I have lost all of my baby weight (and more) so weight can certainly still be managed.

The Thyroxine will start making changes within a couple of weeks. You will just wake up one day and feel awake as Dasher said. You do need to monitor yourself though - blood tests every 3 months to start. I quit my meds once - thinking I was 'all better'. Stupid me - it made me unwell for months until I realised I was getting sicker then could turn it around.

To be honest, if you are going to get a chronic illness, this is the one to get - it can be managed totally.

Let us know how you go!:hugs:

[MagicMud]

Rynosmum - Thanks for sharing your story! Wow TSH of 91!!! I don't really know how high TSH can get, but that sounds pretty high!

I was going over my BTs from last month (from GP) and noticed that my TSH was 3.8. But when the FS tested TSH, it was 6. There was less than one month difference between the tests.

Is it normal for TSH to fluctuate like that????

[Dasher10]

FYI MAGIC ;)

My levels in June were 4.21 ("normal" range .027-4.20 for those who want to know) and August the 4th were 14.79 and then my last on 6.8 were 9.something.
In the bits and peices I have found it seems we need to be 0.2-2.0 to be able to have a healthy pregnancy.

Are you going to go to a Endocrine (sp?) specalist?? I have an appointment Friday 20th Aug so ill let you know what he says if you like.

Im so bummed today my first ovulation induction has been cancelled :crying: Im so :banghead: & :mad: with the whole situation.

Come back to me positive thoughts!

[sndgroper]

Hmm I have an underactive thyroid and I got pregnant within a couple of months of having unprotected sex..

I have had it since I was about 16 (now 24) and currently on 200mg a day. This went up twice (from 150mg) whilst pregnant as at the 12w mark my level jumped to 4.30 and then at about the 25w mark to 4.6.

I've always found that drs know crap all about the disorder. I read somewhere on the net that this disorder can affect an unborn baby in the first trimester if not kept within the 0.18-4.20 (or whatever it is) but not sure how true that is. My baby came out perfectly fine almost 3 wks ago, and without his own thyroid disorder which I was very happy to hear.. (one midwife did tell me he's more likely to have a problem since I have one but again, I was skeptical as to where she was getting that info).

It always annoyed me how little the professionals knew about this disorder - maybe cause it's uncommon(?) - I shouldve gone to see a specialist I guess but never had the spare funds.

[rynosmum]

MagicMud, my GP was horrified when the results came back that high. I was so sick - had a 41degree temp, pneumonia, was very vague wtc. Since then I have met someone who registered in the 200s - she was extremely ill though when diagnosed.

The TSH can fluctuate. Once it starts, it seems to have a mind of it's own so the sooner you can get it under control, the better.

Sndgroper, you can also find excellent GPs - where are you located? My GP has been awesome and through my last pregnancy, she was in communication with my OB to make sure all was ok. I had one spike in my levels ( she manages me to be under 3 - the 4 level is an older recommendation).

[sndgroper]

What do you mean by "she manages me under the 3 level"? Is this in regards to the range of .18-4.2??

I've always wondered if it matters where i sit in that range and I have complained of feeling tired for years but figured this is what "normal" feels like..

[sndgroper]

By the way - I'm near Rockingham W.A.

[MagicMud]

Dash - Sorry that your Ov-induction has been canceled! That really sucks! Why was it canceled?

Yes please let me know how your appt. goes with the Endocrinologist!
I haven't been referred to one yet. I was just going to request a BT in a month and see where my levels are at. Not too sure if there even is an Endocrinologist around where I live. Might have to go to Brisbane for that (that's 300km away from where I live).

Sndgroper - Were you already on thyroxine when you fell pregnant??? Am very glad to hear that your baby is ok, and had no problems! That's wonderful news! Also, Congratulations for the birth of your baby!!!!
I suppose the risks associated with thyroid levels outside of the normal ranges aren't absolutely going to cause problems, it's just that you are at a higher risk.

Rynosmum - I would be horrified too! You poor thing, being so sick! Just one question though. Were you so sick because of the high TSH, or was your TSH high, because you were sick? (meaning that, does sickness affect TSH levels?)
I am quite surprised by how much TSH can vary! It makes me wonder how much mine has varied now. I have always been tired and exhausted, but I also have ADHD, and my medication for that is a stimulant, and has probably disguised just how tired I really am (my brain is active and chaotic, but my body isn't).

[rynosmum]

What do you mean by "she manages me under the 3 level"? Is this in regards to the range of .18-4.2??

I've always wondered if it matters where i sit in that range and I have complained of feeling tired for years but figured this is what "normal" feels like..

The US changed the 'optimum' level for the TSH a few years back. It's now from .3 to 3 which seems to at least suit me better. If I get upward of 6 or 7, I am extremely lethargic, start picking up colds and flus etc. I think you're exactly right about not knowing what normal feels like. I think it takes a while before you realise where you feel at your best.



Rynosmum - I would be horrified too! You poor thing, being so sick! Just one question though. Were you so sick because of the high TSH, or was your TSH high, because you were sick? (meaning that, does sickness affect TSH levels?) I find that I get sick when my TSH is high. My body starts to feel like it's falling apart. I start to lose any quick-thinking or imagination. I feel like I exist solely for the normal life tasks but nothing above that....and I get sick. My husband will tell me at that point to get myself checked - he sees the difference before I do.

Sndgroper, my GP told me when I was pregnant that it was okay for your TSH to go up a little in the first trimester but they were very worried about it dropping as that could cause many issues to bubby.
Dasher, where did you read that info about upper levels?
I had a TSH of 7 with one pregnancy and sadly lost that at 16 weeks. It just spiked and the GP picked it up pretty quickly but still, I wonder if that was related at all?:(

[MagicMud]

I have been on thyroxine for 2 weeks now, and I don't think there has been any improvements. :confused:

I'm still feeling quite tired and worn out. Just thought I would have started feeling a little better by now. Even just a little!

[Dasher10]

I have found this site:

http://thyroid.about.com/b/2009/02/26/pregnant-thyroid-fertilityhtm.htm

Some pretty good reading and things....

I have my appointment tomorrow, bit excited, bit scared, just want it all to hurry up...Im so over waiting...........:rain:

[HELPihavea2yrold!]

Hi. I was born completely missing my thyroid gland. I fell pregnant while on the pill. Have had one m/c but was completely unrated reasons to thyroid. My levels while I was pregnant reached 29. You do have to monitor them very closely while you are pregnant. My DS is a bit of a miracle. I was told during my pregnancy that I shouldnt even be alive with levels like that, let alone my son. My DS has been born free of thyroid problems which is another miracle since it was on both sides of family. It is very hard to get info on the condition. Being born completely missing one is so rare that the thyroid association cant give me any info on it. It can take a few months for levels to stabilise after first going on thyroxine. I was also told not to take pregnancy suppliments as they contain iodine and my body cannot process it.