Over 40 TTC 2022 group

Congratulations @Coffeeforlife !

Wondering how everyone else is going?
Any 44's TTC in this group ? 😊

@Coffeeforlife That's wonderful. Fingers crossed for you. Enjoy every minute of being pregnant!

@Coffeeforlife !!
Amazing news! Congratulations! Have everything crossed for you!!

Bloody hell, I've had a FBP. It's been two years since the MMC and subsequent cyst and not a whisper of a line until now. Very clear line on FRER so it's definitely in there. I'm convinced it won't stay, statistically the chances aren't great, but please keep everything crossed for my little ball of cells x

"These guidelines suggest thyroid hormone replacement in women with TSH levels >4 is associated with improved pregnancy rates and decreased miscarriage rates."

from www.thyroid.org/patient-thyroid-information/ct-for-patients/volume-issue-november/vol-8-issue-11-p-3-4/

Just found that from a quick Google.

@littlegingerone i would go and see a different GP as what you have been told (about not treating if TSH is below 10) isn't true. My TSH level was a little higher than yours, just above 5. Prescribed 50mcg levothyroxine. Once pregnant, after further blood tests this was increased to 75 then 100mcg (took a while to get dose right in pregnancy but that's another story). Now, a couple years post pregnancy, I'm still taking levothyroxine - there is debate as to whether it's worth treating subclinical hypothyroidism but no one has suggested I stop taking it.

Hi,

I just wanted to jump on to ask more about people's experiences of having thyroid tests. I had a private test which showed my tsh at 4.32, subclinical hypothyroidism. I've read that it should be below 2.5 for ttc and early pregnancy. I've been to the gp today and spoke to them about it but he was very dismissive and just kept saying they don't treat below 10. I was trying to explain that I understand that it is purely for the ttc reasons that I want to bring it down. He just wasn't really listening and did took bloods but said we probably won't do anything about it but at least you've got the test we wouldn't even usually do that.
I just wondered what other people's experiences have been and what their levels were if they were able to get medication?
I'm wondering if there's a way to get a prescription privately if I have no joy via my gp?

I found out this week that two friends are pregnant - one aged 40, the other 41. Just thought I'd share the positive news 😊

@cupoftea33 hello!!! Given we have left it so long - we are going all out, OPKs, temp and App - using Natural Cycle at the mo and see how get on with that. Wishing you loads of luck xx

@Tillypups I have birth to my first a week after my 40th...
Now trying for our second, just turned 44 😊
Fingers crossed for you...

Are using OPK's or temping ?
Or an app?
I use Flo and Ovia

Both 42 and recently started TTC for our first!! AF here today, but appreciate it’s really early days for us! Fingers crossed 🤞🏼 so helpful to read all these posts - thank you!

So this has got me thinking today….
im having ovulation pain today. When you get ovulation cramps, does that signal that the egg is about to be released or that it’s already been released? I know once it is, it only lives for around 12 hours so just curious really re window for fertility once cramps have occurred.
lots of conflicting articles online and just wondered if anyone had been told about this by a professional?
TIA

Thank you. I've booked an appointment. Slightly embarrassed to discuss this with my GP - she's been our GP since my children were born, and I'm sure she will think I'm mad, wanting to try again at my age! I'll definitely ask about T4/TSH though.

@Holls81 No, no symptoms at all. I think I read somewhere that it's only at a TSH level above 10 that you'd generally start seeing symptoms. So my level was high enough to make conception less likely but not high enough to cause me any noticeable effects.
It was the only one of my blood tests that came back 'abnormal'.

TSH levels continue to be monitored in hypothyroid women during the first couple of trimesters of pregnancy as if levels are too high they can increase risk of miscarriage and have negative effect on the baby's development.

I read an opinion piece where a doctor or scientist (I forget which) was arguing that all women of childbearing age should be tested and medicated if TSH above 3 in case they become pregnant, because of potential risks to unborn child. Whereas in general, medication is only good given to those with higher TSH levels experiencing symptoms or those like me who happened to be tested as trying to conceive.

@pitterypattery00 thank you for this. Just wondering if you had any symptoms for the thyroid issue?

@Holls81 it's not unusual to have an underactive thyroid. Put simply, thyroid activity is measured by a blood test for TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) levels. Ideally TSH levels should be below 3 for conception if I remember correctly. Mine was just over 5. It's an easy fix - I just take a levothyroxine tablet every morning. I conceived about 6 cycles after I started taking the medication (at age 40). Once pregnant, TSH levels will be monitored and your dose of levothyroxine increased.

I don't know about progesterone, sorry.

@lizziecat1
hiya. I’m 42 and ttc #3
happened v quickly with previous 2 children (9 and 4) and have been trying 9 months now and nothing.
It’s definitely worth speaking with gp. I spoke to my gp who has put me forward for progesterone and thyroid function blood test on day 21 of my cycle, in a couple of weeks.
he was really supportive and said he sees lots of women in their 40s go on to have babies.
im not sure though, if there is a problem with either my thyroid or progesterone levels, what will happen. Does anyone know if it’s something that the gp can help with/ prescribe or if it will be a fertility doc? 🤔

@lizziecat1 it might be worth talking to your GP. Let us know how you get on.
I'm 44 and TTC number 2. It's been 7 months. I too fell quickly with DD1 but I was 39 then, gave birth a week after my 40th.
I've kind of taken the approach of if it happens it happens. The first few months of trying I was become obsessed.
I kind of feel I may have missed the boat.
Blessed to have one beautiful healthy child.
Good luck

Just joining you all on this journey! I'm 45... Had a surprise pregnancy which sadly ended in mmc at 9 weeks (had d&c last week)
Although this one wasn't planned, we'd both have loved it to work out, and have decided to try again.
Have 3 children ages 18, 16, 13 so this is a bit mad!
Never had to ttc with the others- just happened with no effort at all. I suspect those days are gone, so I'm rapidly learning about ovulation tests and fertile days... its a whole new world!
Does anyone (uk) know if it's even worth talking to my gp for advice at this stage?

Wishing you all positive tests very soon!

@Fod80 it really is! I was 33 and 38 x

Hi @Holls81 Its great to chat to women in the same boat. Its funny how quickly TTC becomes so all-consuming, especially at this age! I do hope your tests go well and you get some answers. How old were you when you had your dcs?

@Fod80 hiya. I’m afraid I don’t have a success story to report but I thought I’d just say that I’m in the same boat as you. I’m 42. Have 2 dc already both were conceived first month of trying (also had a m/c between them which was also first month of trying) . I was the same as you and rather naively thought things would work more quickly. We’ve been trying since I was 41 (9 months) and nothing as yet. I’ve a blood test booked on 4th oct so will be interested to see what comes back from thyroid and progestin tests.
Fingers crossed for you. X

@Cally1980 sorry to hear you aren’t getting the support you need from the NHS. I turned 40 last week and have been trying for baby number two for 6 months. I’ve had 2 miscarriages in the last 6 months and am beginning to give up hope. You have to have 3 miscarriages before NHS help. I hope you get some support soon and an appointment. Good luck

I’m 41, first time trying, been trying a year, been waiting to speak to anyone in the nhs about this forever, was given a date of start of august to be given an appointment but haven’t yet been contacted. Very frustrated and looking into private ivf but we are struggling to find this kind of money

I'm about to turn 42 and am TTC 2nd baby (for the past 3 months). I had my first at 40 and got pregnant (at 39) first month of trying so I (naively) expected things to be quicker, though I know fertility drops off a cliff around 40. We've been told to see a fertility specialist after 3 months so will be booking that in soon but I wondered how this group is getting on? Have there been any success stories to give us a bit more hope?