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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.

Original poster

Optimal thyroid levels when TTC?

81 replies

Frazzlerock · 18/09/2019 14:31

I have an under-active thyroid which was diagnosed many years ago. I spoke to a fertility nurse who said I should aim to get my levels as close to 2 as possible. I was over-compensating so had my thyroxine reduced from 100 to 75, then to 50.
My most recent TSH has come back as 0.6. I'm told this is 'normal'. Is this okay for TTC though?

We've been TTC for 3.5 years and lost three babies so I'm desperately trying to do everything I can for a healthy outcome for our future rainbow baby.

OP posts:
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itswhereitsat · 19/09/2019 01:24

I just thought I would add that it is FT4 test (Free T4) and FT3 (Free T3) that you need. Sometimes I've referred to it as just T4 and T3 and that's a bit misleading.

Happythoughts123 · 19/09/2019 07:22

@itswhereitsat thank you so much for the information and the attached pictures. I feel like I’ve been lazy and just trusted my doctor.

I think the root cause of my thyroid issues is autoimmune as I also have psoriasis.

I even called my doctor a few months ago to say I was starting ttc and could I have my bloods done to make sure all was ok beforehand. The results were ‘normal’.

I’m going to order medichecks today. Do I want to order express reporting without a doctors comments?

You know it’s funny as well because both my sisters have thyroid issues too. 1 has had no trouble conceiving but the other has. Both within normal range.

itswhereitsat · 19/09/2019 07:48

Yes, the same old 'normal'. Honestly, the way Thyroid patients are treated is appalling.

I wouldn't bother with the Express, as the normal one is a really quick turnaround anyway. I'm really interested to see what your results are.

Hashimoto's is very common if you have something like Psoriasis. Doctors don't bother testing for antibodies as they say the treatment is the same either way (levothyroxine) The thing is, there are lifestyle adjustments you can make if you have Hashimotos to improve your health, which you can't do if you don't even know that you have it.

It makes me so angry and I am making it my mission to share the knowledge that I now have. We all deserve better.

Original poster
Frazzlerock · 19/09/2019 09:30

Morning all.

@itswhereitsat you continue to amaze me with your knowledge! I was diagnosed in my late teens. I am now 40 and had no idea about any of this. Your screenshots are very useful!

What I'm confused about is that I had two healthy pregnancies 10 and 14 years ago, my thyroid issues didn't seem to cause any problems. My only issue back then was PCOS causing me epic cycles, so TTC was near on impossible.
It's only the past 3.5 years I've had multiple MCs so it seems I am more able to get pregnant (although it has been a whole year almost since our last MC..) but can't keep my babies Sad

@KellyMarieTunstall2 I took progesterone with my last pregnancy as soon as I got my BFP but it didn't seem to help my baby - although we found out our little boy had trisomy 16 so I guess it wouldn't have been able to save him anyway... But it is interesting what you say about heparin and low dose steroids. I've never had my thyroid looked into in such great detail before but now I will push for more help.

Also very interesting about iron levels. As I say, my iron is always low and I have to take a daily supplement. I had no idea my thyroid issues could be linked.
I also have a GF diet (mostly) and also cut out dairy, sugar and caffeine to help with my PCOS as it helps me to ovulate by avoiding that stuff, so I hope this is helping my thyroid antibodies too. Though I do cheat when I've finally ovulated as I can't live my life like that!

I'm looking forward to receiving my medicheck test. I'm intrigued to find out what it will tell me!

OP posts:
itswhereitsat · 19/09/2019 10:05

@Frazzlerock
It might even be nothing to do with you Thyroid that is causing the MCs, it could be some other factor. Although as this is a known condition its obviously going to be beneficial to your all-round health to make sure your thyroid is optimal.

Just one other thing. Have you had your B12 checked in recent years? There are also strong links with low thyroid and low B12.Apparently people with low thyroids often have low stomach acid making it more difficult to absorb certain nutrients. One of the symptoms is tiredness, may be worth an up to date check if never been done.

user1470147116 · 19/09/2019 10:53

I had 3 early miscarriages.

My doctor said thyroid should be under 3.5 with 1-2 optimal.

My highest ever TSH was 4 so went on 75mg levothyroxine.

Tested TSH every 3 months.

I also got tested for APS and was borderline.

Ideal IgM anticardiolipin antibodies should be 1-10 MPL U/ml

So took low daily aspirin and heparin during pregnancy along with low dose steroids.

Did IVF and now have a very beautiful 15 month old.

thankgoodnessforeurope · 19/09/2019 14:11

This thread is so useful, thank you! My levels are TSH 4.03 and T4 15.6.

3 early losses recently and this explains it.

itswhereitsat · 19/09/2019 14:29

Most GP's would look at your results and say 'normal' but if you are on meds and have a TSH 4.03 then you are severely undermedicated.
If you are not being medicated and you have a TSH 0f 4.03 then it shows that your thyroid is failing for whatever reason (autoimmune Hypothyroidism) - but no Doctor would say that, they'd make you wait until you hit a TSH of 10, you feel rotten, your hairs fallen out and you're piling on weight before doing anything. But then it's not their life is in?Plus you should be having you FT3 checked the same time as TSH nad FT4. It all boils down to funding which is why they do minimal testing. So wrong.

thankgoodnessforeurope · 19/09/2019 19:09

@itswhereitsat

Thank you for your reply!
I’m not in uk and went in for an FSH test and the GP threw in lots of other counts at the same time (investigating the three CPs) and this came up. I’ve just started medication and will be re-tested in 6 weeks. Thank goodness she ordered the extra bloods.

It also explains why I just don’t feel like myself. I didn’t have this in previous, textbook pregnancies so was not expecting so many early losses. I feel positive now I’ve found the reason!

LividLaughLove · 19/09/2019 19:19

I would feel hideous with a TSH of 3.

Many people feel it should be as close to 0 as possible when TTC.

Currently 14 weeks after three losses and mine is something like 0.4. I upped my dose as soon as I peed on the stick.

Zest11 · 19/09/2019 20:57

Oh my goodness. Thank you all so much for your inputs, it sounds like thyroid is so important. I got mine tested 2 yrs ago. Tsh was 3.5 and ft4 was 16. I was told it was normal so didn't look into it. 2 yrs later I started reading different thingw and got tested again. Tsh is now 3 (so better??) But ft4 is now 12! Not sure what that means but I've self prescribed 25mcg of thyroxine as my gp wouldn't give it to me (said he would ask an endocrinologist). Not sure if I ought to up the thyroxine! Oh yes...and all I have to show for the last few years are 2 cps, failed iuis and failed ivf :/

daffodilbaby · 19/09/2019 21:10

Just came on to agree with xine15 so so important to up your thyroxine as soon as you get a positive pregnancy test, this is so poorly understood by the average GP, here is the guidance from the British thyroid foundation www.btf-thyroid.org/projects/pregnancy/375-pregnancy-and-thyroid-disorders-guidance

Original poster
Frazzlerock · 19/09/2019 21:33

I got my testing kit today! So quick!

It takes a lot of finger squeezing to get the desired amount but I got there in the end and will post it off tomorrow.

OP posts:
thankgoodnessforeurope · 20/09/2019 07:29

@LividLaughLove I’ve been prescribed Eltroxin 50mg a day (Levothyroxine sodium). Will this be enough? If I fall pregnant this cycle (2dpo) what should I do in terms of medication? I’ve only been taking it 3 days so too late this time?

Seeing doc in 6 days again...

itswhereitsat · 20/09/2019 07:56

@LividLaughLove

50mcg of Levothyroxine is a starter dose. What should happen is that after 6 weeks on the dose, blood samples are taken (aiming for TSH around 1.0 and FT4 and FT3 near the top of range).If bloods are still not where they should be (likely at 50mcg), your doctor should then increase your Levo by 25mcg to 75mcg. You should hold at this for 6 weeks and then retest. You basically keep adding 25mcg every 6 weeks until you are at the correct dose. Once you reach the right level then you hold at that dose and just check every 6 months. My recommendation to you is that when you Doctor tells you that your thyroid levels are normal, ask him/her for the exact results or a print off which you are entitled to.

If you were to fall pregnant I wouldn't mess around with your doses without speaking to your doctor. While Doctor's are not great at managing Thyroid conditions, I think the care is much better when you are pregnant and it gets monitored closely. Good luck, hope everything works out xx

itswhereitsat · 20/09/2019 08:03

There is an excellent forum called Thyroid UK on the website Health Unlocked.
The page is superb. There are people that have suffered from Thyroid disease for years and are highly educated about all things Thyroid related. They give calm, measured responses to any questions. There are a few Thyroid related Facebook pages but they tend to give very emotionally, conflicting advice. If you post your own situation on Thyroid UK they will give you some excellent advice and also the questions to ask your Doctor, empowering you not to be fobbed off.

healthunlocked.com/thyroiduk

itswhereitsat · 20/09/2019 08:04

Sorry that post was meant for @thankgoodnessforeurope

itswhereitsat · 20/09/2019 08:05

@Frazzlerock -Yay. Hope you get your results back soon. Keep us posted.

Luckystar1 · 20/09/2019 09:42

Hello all, I wondered if I could get your thoughts? I have recently had a private test that indicated my thyroid levels are 3.1. I spoke to a GP (privately) who basically brushed me off. My worry is I have very recently found out I am pregnant and have had a MC at 7 weeks and a CP in the last 4 months.

What, if anything, can I do? And is a miscarriage basically a fair accompli if I can’t get medication?

daffodilbaby · 20/09/2019 09:54

@Luckystar1 my advice would be to book a GP appointment and ask them to run your block or tests ASAP as your dosage requirement increase in pregnancy. No, it’s certainly not a fair accompli, but do see your GP as soon as possible and take your recent test results with you.

daffodilbaby · 20/09/2019 09:55
  • blood tests! Sorry autocorrect fail!
itswhereitsat · 20/09/2019 10:05

@Luckystar1
You say your thyroid level is 3.1, it this while being on medication for a thyroid condition or have you not been diagnosed with a thyroid condition?

thankgoodnessforeurope · 20/09/2019 10:41

@itswhereitsat

Thank you! What if I’m fortunate enough to get a BFP this cycle? Is it hopeless?

Luckystar1 · 20/09/2019 10:53

@itswhereitsat no I haven’t been diagnosed. That’s without medication and while not pregnant. Is that ok?!

itswhereitsat · 20/09/2019 10:56

Don't feel it will be hopeless. You are being treated that is the main thing. I think the people that are at greatest risks are those wandering around with Hypothyroidism with high TSH like 11 or something and no idea they have it. I had fertility problems about 12 years ago and it is likely I had Thyroid issues then and no idea I had it. Your TSH was only around 4 at diagnosis, your Doctor has caught it before it gets too bad. That is brilliant news. When I had TSH of 8 my skin was like sandpaper, my hair was falling out in clumps and I felt suicidal (low thyroid hormones messes up your brain chemistry)

When I was diagnosed I had a TSH of 8 and 50mcg got me down to around 2.0 in six weeks, then I had a further 50mcg to get me to around 1. My final dose settled at 100mcg and I am very tall (height and weight come into it). I bet your meds are already started to work their magic so try not to worry. You Doctor is actually amazing to have the foresight to get you on medication,you are getting brilliant care, the NHS says to leave people until it gets to a TSH of 10 unless the patient can really fight their corner. Thank goodness you are abroad.