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Conception

When's the best time to get pregnant? Use our interactive ovulation calculator to work out when you're most fertile and most likely to conceive.

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Original poster

Hypothyroidism and ttc, anyone else relate to this?

6 replies

3catstoo · 18/05/2007 18:31

Hi,
I have been ttc number 4 for 9 months. Recent blood tests show that I have an underactive thyroid.
I am due to see GP next week to discuss thyroxin.

I'm not really sure what will happen next and how this will help me to get pg.

Can anyone advise me on this please?

OP posts:

JAG123 · 18/05/2007 19:51

Hi 3Cats

Looks like we're both still playing the waiting game.

I've had problems with my thyroid both ways. When I was 17 I was diagnosed with an over active thyriod. Tablets didn't work & I was given radioactive iodine which solved the problem. Then a couple of years later it went the other way. I have been taking thoroxine for 16 years now & conceived my dd with no problems at all, as did my mom & nan who both have had thyroid problems too.
They will start you off on what they think is a suitable dose for you & will check with further blood tests until it balances out. Then you will prob just have a yearly blood test. I am on 100 micrograms this only changed to 125 when I was pg with dd (which is quite common) I stayed on this dose until Jan of this year when I suddenly had to drop back to 100. My GP said that this was something that just happens. I hope this helps.

How did the tests you were having go?

I really post much at all now, but I do still lurk.

Take Care
J

bobbydazzler · 18/05/2007 21:10

I developed an underactive thyroid after I had my DS, apparently having a child results in the problem for quite alot of women. I have been on 100mcg of thyroxine since i was first diagnosed in June 05.

I have been trying to conceive no 2 for nearly a year now and I am wondering whether increasing my dose by another 25mcg would help. In my last 2 blood tests I have been bang in the middle of the normal range so the GP may not want to increase, but as I gather the normal range can vary between person to person so i am wondering if i might benefit from an increase.

I am hoping to see a gp next week to discuss in general ftc second time round and will put this theory to her but if anyone else has any views please let me know.

sorry 3cats if i haven't really answered your question. as an untreated underactive thyroid can effect fertility I am sure that getting it treated will help you on your way to no.4

Original poster

3catstoo · 19/05/2007 23:10

bobbydazzler thanks for that. I am hoping that solving the thyroid problem will solve the fertility issues as all the other tests are coming back as normal.

Good luck with your attempts.

Jag good to hear from you. Not so good that you are also still having problems ttc.
I have heard that you need to increase the dosage of medication to get pg and also during the pg.
The other tests I've had have been fine. I'm having a HSG xray thing on Monday to check my tubes. I'm hoping that might sort things out too.

My DH is still waivering on the issue of number 4. I can't believe we have been trying for 9 months now though, and he is still not convinced about having another yet is not doing anything to stop it. He's agreeing to me having the tests so he can't be so against it.

Hope you don't have to wait too long.

Take care
xxxx

OP posts:

duchesse · 21/05/2007 10:20

Nope- can't advise as am in the middle of all this myself. I have been ttc number 4 for 4 years next month. It's crap, and even crapper that my gp won't treat me as my TSH level is "only" around 5. My t4 levels are consistently on the very lower end of normal. I've had one pregnancy that lasted longer than 5 weeks in all this time, and that ended at 13 weeks.

If you find out any answers I would love to hear them...

Original poster

3catstoo · 22/05/2007 19:45

I saw my Gp today. He confirmed that I have an underactive thyroid. I also had positive antibodies. He suggested that I see a thyroid specialist as he suspected that I have Hashimotos disease. (where the antibodies attack the thyroid). I booked an appt with the specialist privately as my insurance company will pay for that (as it is not just a fertility issue).

My GP then called this evening to say I don't need the appt afterall. He had spoken to his partner in the practice (the more conservative, mean gp) and he had said that I would be fine with 25mg thyroxin a day for a month then retest. He said that the dosage doesn't need to be higher to get pregnant.

So now I'm not sure if it's sorted or not.

It turns out that my SIL had this too. She was put on 100mg to start with and then 125mg when she got pg. She is now back to 100mg.
So 25mg seems quite low. It could take a while to get to the right dose at this rate.
I'm picking up the tablets tomorrow so I'll let you know how I feel at the end of the week. Hopefully full of energy!

OP posts:

cityangel · 23/05/2007 00:00

Hey 3catsoo. As you know I have no experience. I really hope it all works out and you sound like a strong bunny.

Dh doesn't sound adverse to number 4 in any way! He is clearly into kids with 3 already. I expect he's just worried about you and having medical intervention and tests.

Your GP experience doesn't sound very satisfactory to me. Have you had a referral to the Thyroid/Fertility specialists. Please forgive if I should have picked this up from the ChartSpotters thread but I easily fall behind.

I also want to have 4 and have told dh so (no pressure) but I guess I should continue to hope for one right now. Whilst this will sound very predictable at least you have some :0)

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