IVF and hypothyroidism

[Amywantsababy]

Hi all. Quick background - I'm 30, DH 32 - ttc 3 years. Endometriosis (lap 2 years ago), crohns.
We have been interviewing for IVF at RPA since June. After all of our tests the specialist said all of my concerns (endo- die ultrasound & crohns- colonoscopy) were ok, but diagnosed me with hypothyroidism. So weird because it has never come up as an issue before. He said I can't start IVF until my fsh levels are down. This can take 8 weeks once on medication - so annoying! It is good they have identified it, especially as he said it can lead to higher prevalence of miscarriage.
Just wondering if anyone else is in the same position & if so, how long did it take? Alternatively, did anyone conceive with hypothyroidim?
Thanks in advance!

[hope77]

I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism by my FS. It took a few attempts but conceived my daughter via IVF and pregnant again with my second now. I only ever had a missed miscarriage and that was from a chromosomal issue not my thyroid as my levels are under control.

Best of luck to you xx

[besha]

I had two unsuccessful rounds of ivf then changed specialists. New FS diagnosed hypothyroidism and started me on thyroxine. I had the option of starting a cycle pretty much straight away (before my initial blood tests for my thyroid came back) in November last year but opted to wait until Jan/Feb. I couldn't cycle in December due to Christmas and the clinic closing for a few days over that period etc. Anyway I'm glad I waited, I had a chance for meds to kick in and I fell pregnant that cycle. About to give birth any day now I'll never know for sure that it was the thyroxine that made the difference, but I personally feel it was, so grateful to my FS for diagnosing it.

I also found that I felt so amazing after I started taking the medication too, I didn't realise how awful I had been feeling until I didn't feel like that anymore! So if your TSH is high, I'd highly recommend the medication. Good luck!

[Amywantsababy]

Your message has made my day!! Thank you

[hope77]

I too am on thyroxine and that's so true, I never knew how terrible I was feeling until I started taking it! I was always foggy and indecisive, tired etc but feel great now.

[hope77]

Mind you, my thyroid was never our reason for IVF. We're just unexplained, my eggs and DH sperm just don't get along!

[Amywantsababy]

Yeah I never linked those symptoms to my thyroid! Hoping the thyroxine starts to make me feel better soon!

[babybeanie]

I was diagnosed with Graves' disease before we started ttc and I've had my thyroid totally removed so I'm heavily reliant on my meds. The last time I went to try IVF my levels were unstable so my fs & thyroid specialist wouldn't let me start until it was stable.

The fs put my first (only) pregnancy & miscarriage down to the fact that my thyroid was out of control at the time we first did IVF, so it is definitely important that they get your levels steady before you start. If your levels are managed and stays steady there is no reason it should stop you from getting pregnant. Your hormones would just need to be regularly checked throughout pregnancy to make sure you have enough thyroid hormone for you and the baby until it grows its own thyroid.

Oh and my thyroid isn't the reason for us doing IVF, my hubby is a CF carrier and we need to do ICSI.

[WinterJade]

Hi all, I know this is an old thread but wondering what levels of TSH you had before going on thyroxine? I'm sub-clinical so within 'normal' range but at the higher end...but wondering if Id feel much better on medication and it would help me with getting preggas (need IVF though due to MFI and my age).

Mine was diagnosed after a mc. My TSH was 8. My endocrinologist said that I could still fall pg and probably carry to term with that level but the extra demands on my thyroid would probably exhaust it resulting in my baby not getting enough thyroxine. Which could lead to less than optimal brain development. She guessed a score of 8 might knock 10-20 points off the potential IQ. Bit dramatic but I researched it and thought I'd go on a low dose. It hasn't made me feel any different except losing weight is easier haha good luck! Pm me if you want any advice

[besha]

From memory mine was about 4.6, so not crazy high but still out of normal (I think upper limit for normal was 4 from memory?) but FS said that he liked it to be below 2.5 for pregnancy.