TTC and subclinical hypothyroidism

Before I had my baby my thyroid was at the higher end of the tsh range 6/7. I've always watched it as hypothyroidism runs in my family. Doctor would never prescribe me Levo even though symptomatic, even went private to see and endo and he said until my tsh is higher he wouldn't prescribe levo either. Fortunately I managed to get pregnant pretty quickly but after the birth that's when my tsh shot up. I did use the ovulation sticks when TTC and found them really useful as I didn't always follow the same period cycle.

@Leadingwithloveandkindness mine was a very similar number, 4.4 I think. My GP wouldn’t have any of it as it was within ‘normal’ I was having multiple miscarriages, in the end a recurrent miscarriage clinic prescribed me levothyroxin as it wasn’t normal for pregnancy or TTC. They prescribed it whilst I was at the early stages of pregnancy and went on to have a happy healthy baby. Unfortunately GPs don’t seem to move from what is ‘normal’ to optimum for TTC.

My GP surgery did get a stern letter from the miscarriage clinic telling them they needed to continue monitoring my TSH levels throughout any pregnancy’s and in general, and in fairness they do call me every 6 months for a blood test

It’s 4.5 which I definitely appreciate is within a normal range but is much higher than the recommended 2.5

What's your TSH? Mine was 70 and antibodies and gp could prescribe levothyroxine, didn't even hesitate.

Huge thank you to everyone who’s contributed to this thread. I found it incredibly helpful in trying to understand whether the doctors are correct who keep telling me my thyroid issues aren’t anything to worry about! We are having a really difficult journey to having our second child and paid privately to have some tests done and the only thing which seems to be a red flag is the thyroid issues - I have elevated TSH and antibodies. Would anyone be able to pm or email me the details of the London private endocrinology consultant mentioned? My GP won’t prescribe levothroyoxine unless I have an endocrinology consultant recommendation.

Thank you so much, I’m still in shock! I knew thyroxine works fast but not this fast! Also, how quickly did you all up your doses when you got BFP? I am terrified at having a MC. I’m only on 25mg so going with the 30% more rule people have used on this thread, I should maybe have an extra 25mg twice per week I think. Just until I get some advice from my GP and insist she speaks to an endo. Gosh all so complicated isn’t it and annoys me so much that there will be couples out there being broken hearted over something that might be easily fixed!

So happy for you @Jellybelly888! Knowledge is power! GP awareness of hypothyroidism, optimum TSH and its impact of fertility is pretty poor unfortunately. Push for an endocrinologist referral through pregnancy if you can. They should be keeping your TSH below 2.5. Wishing you all the best!

I know this thread is old but it’s been my saving grace and been such a help that I wanted to give my story too. After a year of TTC and a TSH level between 8.5 and 5.6 depending on when in my cycle I was tested, I went armed with all this information that I learnt on this thread to my GP. She reluctantly prescribed me 25mg of levothyroxine and the first month on it we got a BFP! It’s still early days but I just wanted to put this on here to encourage ladies that they know their own bodies and to do that you know and feel is right. Don’t stop until you feel you’ve been listened to.

What a lovely thread to read the updates of! I'm also pregnant with our first, over 2 years since first posting on here! A few bumps in the road along the way, but we've made it to 21 weeks so far with this little one ❤
@Owl86 I'm delighted for you! 💙
@Songbird50 congrats 🥰 not far too far behind me!
@CTMcG @rathernotshare congrats on your little ones! 😊 I hope all goes well in your new pregnancy @CTMcG!

Hi @Owl86 - I've just spent the last half an hour reading the entirety of this thread and am so pleased it worked out for you! I'm at the beginning of my journey with this and am currently going through the mill with GPS...I'm based in London/SE, could you please let me know the name of your endo specialist?

@Owl86 ahhh so happy to hear this! Congratulations 🥰

I just got notification on this thread after posting nearly over 2 years ago too! I now have a 14month old and am currently 6+3 weeks with my 2nd! I am on 100mg of levothyroxine and so far so good! Hope everyone is well! X

I just got a notification on this thread as I had commented 2 years ago, well I now have a 1 year old! Took us 2 years to conceive. Never did get thyroid meds, but have recently had another check and awaiting results. Fingers crossed it will be sorted if we try for another.

Hello all,

I hope that all of the recent deliveries/pregnancies have gone/are going really well and we have a growing gang of little ones on this thread. The thread and you girls helped me so much, so I just wanted to update you and anyone else who happens to read this thread in the future looking for hope/ advice that I am now 14 weeks pregnant naturally with my first, a little girl, and all is going well so far. My latest tsh is 0.31 and I have a consultant appointment in a couple of weeks just to monitor my thyroid. To those who are ttc my advice is keep at it, don't lose faith, I know just how hard that is, and keep investigating, I had a lot of trial and error with hormone tests, cycle tracking and supplements, quite apart from dealing with my thyroid. It took over 2 years; as well as being hypothyroid, I'm also now 41 with an amh of only 0.07pmol/l or 0.01ng/ml, a previous blighted ovum, and a cycle that was getting very irregular and disappearing for months at a time. It is possible. Best wishes to all of you.

Thanks @winningeasy . Not comfortable lying but will retest fasting and with a morning test and take it from there.

TSH must be tested first thing in the morning, and must be fasted. Just water.

It's likely a lot higher than that. As the day progresses it reduces.

@Un7breakable yes defo try to get it. But it's unlikely your GP will prescribe. I would suggest booking an appointment with a private fertility practice and say you have been trying longer than you have and you are considering IVF but want to get a fertility MOT first, get them to test TSH (they likely will anyway) and everything else, then when they come back with elevated TSH, say you have read it needs to be under 2 and can you give me a letter to take to my doctor to get a prescription. Your doctor should prescribe it with a letter like this and with the view that IVF is
on the cards / your age. Then say you want to wait a couple of months regulate your TSH before you go down ivf path. This hopefully you will get pregnant.

This is what I did, and twice I was pregnant with 1-2 months. Then you will need to stay on the dose throughout your pregnancy and ideally for first couple of months of post partum.

I had a similar level to you. 20 weeks pregnant with DC2.

Good luck!

Should also add I get heavy periods and my TSH was tested at night after eating which I've read might have an impact.

Bit of an old thread but seems like you ladies know your stuff. I'm 35, TTC since the start of the year with no luck. Have issues with spotting, some tiredness and am that person always under blankets or in a down jacket. Did a mail order thyroid test and got a reading of 2.88. have ordered another for a month's time. Already under GP for spotting. Assuming the 2nd test comes back with a similar level do you think the GP will do anything or will they think I'm mad?

Good luck!

I am really scared them that my dose is too small ☹️ should be on 50mg but my doctor gave me only 25 for now as I am only starting. I really hope he will agree to increase it after first blood test if needed 😔

Thanks for the messages @Ojejku and @Owl86 - i have reached out to a private endocrinologist this morning and will also do my best to speak to NHS doc asap although it's proving near impossible.

I have some spare Levo so have started taking it

I was prescribed 50mg before x

Hi! Maybe you should seek advice from private doctor if your GP refuses to prescribe levo? I think TSH should be below 3 if you are pregnant as it goes up during pregnancy

May I ask what was your dosage when you felt pregnant for the first time? I have subclinical hypothyroidism with TSH around 5 and finally got prescription for levo but my starting dose is 0.25 and I am worried it won't make any difference 🙄

Advice needed ladies!

Do you know what is a normal non-medicated TSH for pregnancy? Does it go up? What is the safe / unsafe level?

I am kind of shitting it. Bit of a backstory, I have slightly elevated TSH, around 3/4ish, so subclinical. It took us ages to get pregnant with our first child. After persuading a doc to prescribe Levo, I got pregnant the first month taking it.
Then was on it for the remainder of my pregnancy.
We started trying ages a couple of months ago, and was following a nutritional plan from a nutritionist specialising in thyroid issues, was getting 2.5ish levels without Levo, so have stayed off of it. Have just found out I am pregnant again, obv great, and then have had levels tested and TSH is 4.36. I am so worried this is going to cause me to miscarry, do I need to be demanding they re prescribe Levo? My doctors are bad, it's so hard to get hold of someone and get a proper appointment. I constantly have to re explain quite a complicated situation.

I am eating so healthy, regulating my blood sugar, improving micro biome, reducing inflammation.... so there's not much more I can do personally to bring it down.

Any help and advice appreciated!

X