Anyone else trying to conceive with subclinical hypothyroid?

[duchesse]

I have been trying for nearly 4 years to conceive child number 4.

My only pregnancy in this time was last summer, but ended in foetal death and miscarriage at 13 weeks.

I had a thyroid test in April 2005, which was deemed "normal" despite the plethora of symptoms I was having.

The test was repeated in January 2007, and this time showed me to be "subclinically" hypothyroid.

My TSH is 5.05, which most GPs seem to think is negligible. Dr Google however seems to suggest that TSH should be around 1-2 for a healthy pregnancy.

The specialist I saw a couple of weeks ago confirmed that women hoping to have a baby should have their thyroxine levels regulated so that TSH is no higher than 2, or any potential baby can suffer.

If you have had a clinically normal thyroid test, ask for your TSH level if you are having trouble conceiving or hanging on to a pregnancy. Repeat early miscarriage can be a side-effect of thyroid problems.

I urge anyone in this situation to see their GP and ask to be referred. MAke sure your GP knows that you are trying to conceive if you have thyroid problems, even minimal ones, as it affects your treatment.

Finally, has anyone else out there managed to conceive with TSH levels like mine, or has anyone had similar problems?

A collection of links about thyroid problems and infertility:

link{http://infertility.health-info.org/infertility-causes/hypothyroidism-infertility.html

link{http://www.thyroid-info.com/articles/fertilitythy.htm

\link{http://www.medical-library.net/sites/framer.html?/sites/_hypothyroidism.html}

A collection of links about thyroid problems and infertility: (first lot didn't work too well)

Columbia University link

Hypopthyroid and infertility

About link

another hypothyroid and infertility link

And another

I became hypothyroxic after I had my second child. My GP said my tsh level should be between 1 or 2 regardless as this is what most people feel best at. I can't remember what level it was when I was diagnosed but I know it was over 5 when I became pg with ds2. I had to see a consultant for the first 20 weeks of the pg and my thyroxine dose was upped by 75mg to cover the demands of the pg. I was taking 200mg a day and my tsh levelled out at about 0.5 - 1 which they were happy with.

The risk with hypothyroidism in pg is if it's undiagnosed - a study on women in Bristol and Cardiff linked low thyroid levels in pg women with lower intelligence in their children (I only know because my consultant led the study). If your tsh levels are controlled there's no risk.

I would go back to your gp and ask to have your thyroxine dose increased and see what happens if your tsh levels are lower. 5 is within a normal range but according to the consultant, most people are more comfortable with it between 1 and 2, regardless of whether they are pg or ttc.

Thanks Olihan. My Gp didn't even want to put me on Thyroxine, in fact I'm still not yet, because I was deemed to be only "subclinically" hypothyroid. There seems to be quite a lot of ignorance about TSH levels even in the medical profession. I have, I suspect, been hypothyroid for about 4 years, but my GP decide that I was in fact a hysterical female and tried to put me on anti-depressants.

And thanks to the NHS's arbitrary test levels, I may never get treatment now, since on the day of my last test, my TSH level was just under their upper limit of normal. So, to recap, I am hypothyroid, with many known symptoms thereof, but I will not be treated because someone has decided that 5 is a magic number.

I have had hypothyroidism for 10 years at least but managed to get pregnant quite easily. I have had my first blood test at 9weeks (my GP and consultant were happy for me to have it at 12weeks but I wanted it sooner). I was quite upset to discover my TSH level was 12.8 and have had my dose increased from 175mcg to 200mcg and been told to increase it again in 2 weeks to 225mcg. My freeT4 was in the mid range and my freeT3 was just out of the bottom of the range.

I am worried this may have had an effect on the development of the brain amongst other things and am annoyed I wasn't monitored more. I haven't had a first scan yet as I am now only 11weeks so have no idea if this has been detrimental or if indeed a scan would show any problems caused by not having enough thyroid hormones. Has anyone had similar experiences?

I would recommend anyone with hypothyroidism to make sure they get tested earlier than the 12weeks GPs recommend to make sure their levels are correct.

I meant to add - I have also been told that if trying to conceive or when pregnant specialists recommend you try and stay in the top half of the range for TSH i.e. - 0.5-2.5(ulIU/ml).

bluetopaz, thanks for updating this thread. I believe that the US nows considers TSH to be optimal only if it is below 2. My own UK consultant told me that pregnant women should not have TSH above 1.5 ideally, and that low thyroid can, as you say, have neurological deevlopmentaal implications for the foetus. Please try not to worry about this, as your TSH is not sky high. Also you blood levels of these hormones changes a lot throughout hte day, so your levels as charted by the GP at a certain time on a certain day may not in fact be very representative either way. Apparently a 24 urine test is more reliable in showing overall levels.

Bluetopaz-if you're around I've just read this thread as I'm also Hypothyroid and TTC.

When I get my blood tested it usually comes back as 'normal' but I've never thought to ask what the TSH level actually is.
I'm seeing my GP on Thursday to discuss TTC as my cycles are still mega long (74 days today)

I'm probably gonna get lynched by everyone cos I keep going on about my thyroid but I am really concerned about TTC (even though I have a DS)and dont really know what to ask GP for if he/she turns out to be useless.

Also, how is your pregnancy going?

bump

hello everyone i also have an underactive thyroid and have been ttc my second child for over 6 months and no luck!
my periods are not normal and i am not ovulating due to the fact my thyroid went so low that my body stopped !!!
its so frustrating as the doctor seems to think it will correct itself.
i have been reading things on the internet and they all suggest that i will have a higher chance of my baby being born with problems .
i am really nervous about this !!
is anyone else in the same boat?